A Pre Hurricane Checklist to Consider:

1.  Get important papers, credit cards, and valuables in order and secured in plastic zip type bags.  Identification is difficult and time-consuming to replace: include social security cards, passports, birth certificates, diplomas, titles or deeds to property & vehicles, insurance policies, phone numbers, and appraisals.  If you have a firearms safe, that's a good place to also put plastic bags filled with items you can't take with you as a defense against looting.

2. Think ahead and take video or photos of your property before you leave. This will help later on with any insurance checklist claims for damage that may need to be filed.

3. If staying with relatives is not an option, consider booking a room in a hotel or motel in another nearby town or state. Make sure to get directions and put them in the car ahead of time. Usually nearby towns, not in the direct path of the hurricane, will provide hurricane shelters for people in need.  Pets are not allowed in shelters.

4. Unfortunately, it is unlikely that your pet will have a place in a motel or hotel.  Keep this in mind and try to find alternate housing for your pet until it is safe to return, or check out pet-friendly hotels in your area well in advance of any storm.

5. Designate a spot in the hall closet to keep a bag of clothes for each person in the household. Make sure to include sleeping gear if you plan on going to a temporary shelter.

6. Along with overnight clothes, consider stocking a "Hurricane Kit" with the following: extra cash, weather alert radio, battery operated radio/television, extra batteries, flash lights, bottled water, toilet paper, non-perishable foods such as cereal or crackers, canned goods, can opener, a small cooler, prescription medicines and any over-the-counter remedies you use regularly.

7. Count on the power being out for at least a day or two.  ATM's, gas station pumps, food stores, and restaurants may not be operating. Board games or a deck of cards may come in handy!

8. If you decide to tough out the storm, stay downwind in your home. This means if the wind is hitting the living room windows, go to the room opposite the living room.  The room you decide to stay in during the storm should have sturdy hurricane panels, shutters or other approved storm protection or no windows at all.  Protection of openings is the most important thing you can do to improve the chance that your home will survive a hurricane.

9.  Plywood becomes a "Hot" commodity for those who decide to stay.  Plywood supplies are normally exhausted within hours after a hurricane alert.  Panel Channels® window and patio door "Kick-Up"™ systems are designed to allow sliding plywood or plastic panels over windows and doors.  See our "Select the Correct Kit" for more information.

10. Finally, STAY INSIDE. However tempting it may be to videotape or take photos of the storm, be sure to shoot your scenes from indoors - where it's safe, and dry!

More information about Panel Channels®