How to Protect a Home From a Hurricane

A hurricane is one of Mother Nature’s most deadly creations. This natural phenomenon takes place all over the world and can easily destroy unprotected homes. There are several precautions you can take to defend your home against this threat. Some should be done well before hurricane season, while other measures can be taken after a hurricane watch is issued, provided there is ample time for you to complete all preparations safely and evacuate the area, if necessary.

Things You'll Need

• Ladder
• Tree trimming tools
• Measuring tape
• Pen
• Paper
• Hurricane shutters
• Plywood (optional)
• Saw (optional)
• Screws (optional)
• Drill (optional)
• Black marker (optional)
• Garage door (impact-resistant)

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Instructions

• 1

  Protect your home from falling trees and branches. At the beginning of each hurricane season, inspect all of the trees surrounding your house. Remove all dead or diseased branches. If a tree is weakened in any way, remove the tree completely. You may choose to remove small branches yourself, but always hire a professional tree care service to handle large limbs or complete tree removal.

• 2

  Cover your home's windows and doors. Windows and doors breaking or opening during a hurricane can lead to extensive damage inside the home and possibly threaten the home's structure. You can purchase specially designed hurricane shutters for each of the windows and doors in your house, or you can make your own with 5/8-inch or 3/4-inch plywood. Take accurate measurements of each window and door opening, and cut a plywood panel to fit. Use a black marker to label each panel for the appropriate window or door. Position each panel in place, drill pilot holes and install the panel with long exterior screws. Remove the panels and store them in an easily accessible location so you can install them quickly when necessary.

• 3

  Secure your garage door. One of the fastest ways for a home to receive damage is from an unsecured or structurally weak garage door. The powerful winds of a hurricane can easily rip a door away from the house. Check your door to see if it meets local code requirements; it should have a label indicating the door's wind pressure rating. If the door is not up to code, replace the door or hire a professional service to reinforce the door with specialty hardware and other fittings.

• 4

  Remove unsecured items from around your house. This can be done after a hurricane is predicted. Go around your yard and secure, store or discard any objects found. You can store patio furniture in a pool or place it indoors or other secure storage. Other common items to look for include trashcans, planters, toys, BBQ equipment and yard tools.