Hurricanes of all sizes can be dangerous. No matter how serious the storm is, there are guidelines you should follow to stay safe at home. Here are some safety tips to remember during a hurricane:
Stay Away From Windows
If you aren't required to evacuate your home, the best place to be is inside and away from windows. Broken glass and flying debris are extremely common causes of injury in severe storms. Reinforcing your windows will help prevent them from breaking and causing more damage, but it's still important to keep a safe distance. Put as many windowless walls between you and the storm as possible by sheltering in an interior closet or bathroom.
Tune In to Local & National Alerts
There's a good chance your home will lose power during a hurricane, so have a battery-powered or hand-cranked portable radio to stay informed about the situation outside. This will give you a 24-hour connection to the National Weather Service for updates on the storm's path and severity. Stock up on some extra batteries as well so you can remain connected even if it takes days or more to regain power.
Know How to Turn Off Energy Sources
If your power hasn't gone out, there might still be situations where you should turn it off yourself. For example, if water gets inside your home either through a broken window or another leak, you should turn off your electricity immediately. Doing so will prevent possible power surges, electrical shocks and fires.
You should also familiarize yourself with how to turn off other sources like water and gas. Turning off your water main will prevent overflowing sinks, toilets and showers. Shutting off your gas will protect you from leaks and the hazards that come along with them.
These are just the basics of staying safe during a hurricane. Formulate a specific emergency plan with your household so you know exactly what to do to prepare and stay safe should a severe storm occur in your area.
About the Author
Kimberly Hering
Kimberly Hering's devotion to helping people achieve their real estate goals stems from her genuine enjoyment of the process. Whatever the task, Kimberly makes it her mission to get it done, however she can, without compromising her client's needs. Often, that means thinking outside the box. After working with Kimberly, clients describe her as being Trustworthy, Creative, Patient, Highly Skilled, Attentive to the Process and having a lot of Integrity.
After spending more than 15 successful years working on Wall Street, Kimberly transitioned into Real Estate, joining Alain Pinel Realtors, then moving to Zephyr, now Corcoran Global Living, in 2018. During her career on Wall Street, Kimberly was a Vice President working as an Institutional Equity Salesperson for Montgomery Securities for 10 years. She covered the top money managers throughout the US and Canada. She joined Jefferies & Co as a Senior Vice President managing the Western Region Institutional Sales group, while continuing to cover the top money managers.
Kimberly leverages her extensive experience selling equities to top money managers throughout the US and Canada, to successfully negotiating any Real Estate transaction seamlessly for her clients. Kimberly is well versed in Marin's neighborhoods, towns, cities, and education system.
Living in the Bay Area for 35 years, 25 years in Marin and having 2 sons in local Marin schools, Kimberly spends a lot of time volunteering in the community and serving on various local Boards. Kimberly has a collection of resources ranging from the best local breakfast spots to vetted contractors. With her reliable list of valuable resources, Real Estate experience and unsurpassed knowledge of Marin's many communities, Kimberly can guide her clients through every aspect of a Real Estate transaction seamlessly.
Relocating to Marin, downsizing, upsizing, first time home buying, final home purchase or sale, or a lot to build a dream home, no matter the undertaking, Kimberly works seamlessly until the job at hand is completed with 100% satisfaction.