Hurricane Proof Your Home

Okay, so you’ve determined you don’t live in an evacuation area and you plan to ride out the cyclone in your home. What to do?

If you’re building a new home in a hurricane-prone area, or you’re planning to do major renovations, consider building to the standards of the Florida Building Code or the Miami-Dade County (Florida) Building Code, wherever they do not conflict with your local building code. They are among the toughest standards in the nation. It may cost you more money but in the long run, the peace of mind for you and your family may be worth it. As an added bonus, your insurance company may offer you a discount on your premium; be sure to check with them first before you proceed, though.

You may also wish to consider building a “safe room” or converting an existing room to a safe room. A safe room is a hardened room, usually located in the most interior part of your home away from windows and doors, where your family can go to in the event a storm damages other parts of your home.