Hurricane season is almost upon us and we all know the saying “Better safe than sorry.” A number of Facebook posts in recent years have asked Park Circle residents for their best tips during hurricane season, so I compiled a list of the top 20. Stay safe this season and see you around the Circle!
- Contact your home insurance agent and double-check your coverages. If your home gets damaged, you’ll want to know what your deductibles are and exactly what kind of damage you’re covered for.
- Make sure you have extra batteries and flashlights.
- Purchase a battery-powered phone charger or a power inverter that will allow you to use your vehicle as an AC outlet.
- Make sure you have enough gas for generators and chain saws and you make sure all your vehicles are full of gas.
- Get extra cash. If a hurricane causes the power to go out, it can be difficult to access your funds via an ATM machine.
- Email yourself copies of important documents – SS card, birth certificates, insurance info for home, life, cars.
- Freeze individual ziplock bags with ice and should the power go off, at least you’ll have drinking water!
- Fill all available containers with drinking water (if you don’t have containers, dollar tree sells large refillable water jugs) and make sure to wash all your clothes, towels and sheets.
- Fill your bathtub with water and you can use it for tank water to flush your toilet.
- If your trash can and lawn furniture can’t be put in a garage, then tie them together and secure them to a fence.
- If you don’t have sandbags, you can fill garbage bags with water and put them in front of the doors.
- If you evacuate, place a penny on top of a frozen cup of water in your freezer. If the PENNY has moved into the glass you will know if your refrigerator and the power were off.
- Don’t post on social media that you are evacuating! Looters love this information.
- Get bug spray. Standing water attracts mosquitos and mosquitos bite.
- Download movies and shows from Netflix so if the power/internet goes out, then you can watch them without streaming.
- Lawn and leaf bags! You will need them for cleaning up post-storm.
- Do not park your car under a tree.
- The City of North Charleston has damage assessment teams that can come out to survey your home or business for damage after a storm. If you have damage call, (843) 740-2562.
- Buy all the booze.
- Buy toilet paper.
