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:
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.
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.
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.
Originally from Statesville, NC I grew up vacationing in the Myrtle Beach area and have been blessed to call it home for the last 21 years. An alumni of Appalachian State University, I have been a Realtor for 11-years in the Grand Strand area, and am licensed in both South and North Carolina. I hold several distinguished Realtor designations, including ARB, MRP, SRES, RSPS, SFR, and XCL. I love being involved in the Coastal Carolina Association of Realtors, having served on the Young Professionals Network committee, the Community Outreach committee, and am a 2022 graduate of Leadership CCAR. As a proud member of the Women's Council of Realtors Grand Strand, I had a role as the events committee chair for 2023 and now hold the current position as the 2024 WCR events director. I have also contributed as a board member for the last 9 years for the Humane Society of North Myrtle Beach and currently serve as treasurer. In my spare time, I love traveling, shopping, and spending time with her family, friends, and 3 cats.
