With hurricane season now upon us it is time to begin preparations. In my lifestyles blog I wrote about some of the essential and ecological preparations we can make for stocking up on supplies. Now I want to make a few suggestions about how to protect the structure of our home because if that is damaged it matters little if we have a supply of food, good first aid kit or a wind-up radio! I just saw an animation on the damage various categories of hurricanes can do to a home and it’s fairly scary so let’s get prepared!

If you can afford to do it, now is the time to employ a structural surveyor who can assess your home for any weak points. A comprehensive document on retrofitting your home is available online and offers some very practical advice for you to conduct your own home survey. Do fix up any recommended areas as soon as possible.

Definitely check your roofing! If your roof is damaged or flies off in a hurricane the rest of your home and possessions do not stand much of a chance. Many businesses are offering discounts and special offers on roofing supplies at this time so take advantage of the promotions.