June 1st is the official start of Hurricane Season
Atlanta, GA – The April tornado outbreak across the south is another reminder of the need to take weather warnings seriously as we head into the 2011 hurricane season. The beginning of hurricane season is a good time for homeowners to review their insurance policies for adequate coverage on their property. Hurricane season starts June 1st and runs through the end of November. Policyholders should consult with their agent and develop a complete understanding of the coverages they have purchased.
In addition to reviewing insurance policies, there are three things families should keep in mind leading into hurricane season – planning, preparing and protecting.
Plan – It's always important for a family to have a plan for emergencies, whether it be a fire, earthquake or hurricane. Every family member must know what to do to stay safe. When a hurricane threatens, decide if your family will move to a safer place inland, go to a designated shelter or ride out the storm in your home. Make sure you stay in touch with local authorities to know the severity of the hurricane. You should also plan an escape route in case your family needs to evacuate.
Prepare – Your home should have a survival kit prepared for an emergency. It should include non-perishable food items, a first aid kit, a battery-operated radio, a flashlight, fresh batteries and drinking water. Also include other items you might need such as medication, prescription glasses or your insurance information.
To ensure your home is prepared, cover up windows and doors using hurricane shutters. If you don't have the shutters, cover your windows and doors with 3/4-inch plywood. Make sure your garage door is closed and anchored. Remember that serious hurricane damage can occur when wind and debris get into your house through a broken door or window.
Protect – If you decide to ride out the hurricane, protect yourself. If you don't need to evacuate the area, stay indoors away from windows or glass doors. Put as many walls between you and the storm as possible. If you don't have a basement, go to a closet or a bathroom. If you need to leave the area, make sure you go directly to the shelter. Take your survival kit and lock all doors and windows before you go. Let your relatives or friends know where you plan to be.
Those who have a hurricane plan do much better than those who don't. Taking a moment to plan today may help you avoid last-minute panic. It could save your home and your family.
Click on the following link for more information on Hurricane Preparedness.
Roszell Gadson, State Farm Insurance, (770) 418-5940.
State Farm insures more cars and homes than any other insurer in the U.S., is the leading insurer of watercraft and is also a leading insurer in Canada. Our 17,800 agents and more than 66,000 employees serve 81 million policies and accounts – more than 79 million auto, fire, life and health policies in the United States and Canada, and nearly 2 million bank accounts. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company is the parent of the State Farm family of companies. State Farm is ranked No. 34 on the Fortune 500 list of largest companies. For more information, please visit statefarm.com® or in Canada statefarm.ca®.
