Bear Rock Electric, Inc.

We are quickly approaching the Hurricane season’s busiest period and are reminded to take stock to ensure that we are really prepared in the event of a hurricane or other natural disaster.

Since you typically will not know if the impending hurricane will require shelter-in-place or gain severity to the point of requiring evacuation, it is a good idea to prepare for both scenarios. The National Weather Service (NOAA) and the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH) provide a wealth of recommendations for the safety of you and your family, along with steps to minimize damage to your home.

The first set of tips is easy. You will want to collect and secure items around your home that have the potential of being blown around. This will reduce risk of personal injury and damage to property. Then create a Basic Disasters Storm Kit to include the following:

• Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation.
• Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio, a National Weather Service (NOAA) Weather Radio with tone-alert and extra batteries for both
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Whistle to signal for help
• Dust mask to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags, and plastic ties for personal sanitation
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
• Manual can opener for food
• Local maps
• Cell phone with chargers, inverter, or solar charger
• Cash

Keep this kit in a designated place and have it ready to go in case you have to leave your home quickly. Make sure all family members know where the kit is kept.

With some additional time, you can also strengthen your home‘s defenses against the storm’s powerful wind and rain. The following steps are suggested:

• Thoroughly examine the condition and attachment of your roofing. Roof covering should be wind and impact resistant rated. Any loose shingles should be repaired by a licensed and insured professional.
• Strengthen your roof connections by applying construction adhesive where the roof framing member meets the roof decking.
• Strengthen vinyl soffits with urethane caulk.
• Examine the trees around your home. For larger trees and limbs, you might want to consider removal. A licensed professional is advised.
• Clean out all rain gutters, as clogged gutters can cause water and structural damage to your home.
• Replace any gravel rock landscaping with synthetic or natural mulch.

Many families benefit from the presence of an automatic standby generator, so that in the event of power outage during a hurricane, you have emergency backup power. When power is lost, efficient, reliable generators such as those manufactured by Generac®, and sold and serviced by Bear Rock Electric, Inc. (BRE), automatically turn on to keep your home up-and-running.

While a generator is usually a good idea, it is important to get advice from a licensed professional, such as the licensed electricians at BRE. Our licensed electricians are well-versed in code requirements for your county and state, and are ready to recommend the best options for your power generation needs.  BRE’s expertise in Generac generators and all aspects of emergency preparedness has been of great help to our customers, retail and commercial. BRE offer FREE in-home consultations. Call us to find out how we can help: (888) 688-9927.

For more recommendations from the NOAA and FLASH, please visit their respective Web sites:

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/prepare/ready.php

http://www.flash.org/peril_hurricanes.php

The American Red Cross offers the following Hurricane Safety Checklist:

http://www.redcross.org/images/MEDIA_CustomProductCatalog/m4340160_Hurricane.pdf