Upgrade Your Apartment With Inexpensive, Temporary Decor

Posted on: 1 June 2015

When you manage property, you are responsible for the safety of your tenants and protection of the property. If a hurricane hits, are you fully prepared? You might not be, which could mean more damage and personal injury. Here are some important hurricane safety tips to keep in mind.

Secure All Windows

The first thing you should do in order to prepare for hurricanes is inspect all of the windows around your property. Send a notice to your tenants to let them know you need to check their windows. High winds from a hurricane can break a window that isn't stable enough. If you are in an area prone to hurricanes, you might want to install storm shutters or storm windows; this will provide some extra protection. Aside from that, check that none of the windows have cracks, and replace those that do. Also check the stability of the window frames and casings.

Remove Outdoor Furniture

If you have just gotten a warning about a hurricane in your area, start removing any furniture or supplies that are sitting outdoors. This is important because the high winds can cause these items to fly in the air and damage the property, not to mention flying through walls or windows if they are heavy enough. Go to the outdoor and patio areas of your property and remove umbrellas and patio furniture, rakes, shovels, and garbage cans. If you own property where tenants have their own items on the patio or balcony, ask them to move them inside until the hurricane has passed.

Check the Roof and Gutters

Hurricanes often accompany rain, so make sure the gutters are clear of debris. You need any rain on the roof to be able to run down the gutters and into the downspouts. If the gutters are filled with debris, the water will sit on the roof and may cause damage over time. You should also inspect the roof, being sure all materials are secure. If you see corners of asphalt shingles peeling up or cracked tiles, now is the time to get the repairs done. The heavy winds from a hurricane can blow off roofs when they aren't secured and repaired properly.

Have Emergency Lighting

Hurricanes and other natural disasters often result in the power going out. The first thing you should have when this happens is emergency lighting for the property and your tenants. This provides a safe environment while the power is still out. Two good options for emergency lighting are battery-operated lights and solar-operated lights. By having solar-operated lights, the sun helps to power them so that even if the power does go out, there is still a good amount of light left in the homes or apartments. Talk with someone at a business like A-1 Fire Protection LLC to learn more about emergency lighting options for whatever type of property you may have.

Get a Generator

You can also get a generator, which will provide power and electricity for your tenants if the power goes out. They aren't cheap, especially when you need it for large property, but it can be very useful. It comes in handy for families with young children afraid of the dark or when they need access to their refrigerator for formula and sustenance.