Steps Toward Better Hurricane Preparedness
Homeowners across the country protect their family and home by installing smoke detectors, carbon monoxide monitors, security systems, and more—but depending on the region of the United States you live in, it’s important to consider natural disasters that may impact your home as well. While we love living in the greater Baton Rouge area for its low cost of living, welcoming communities, and an abundance of family-friendly activities, hurricane threats are possible and often top of mind. As major hurricane season nears its end, Alvarez Construction has a few ways for homeowners to prepare and protect their family from future storms.
Stock up on an emergency supply kit
There’s plenty of pre-bundled emergency supply kits on the market, but it’s easy to build your own—this also ensures that every unique need for your family is covered. The basics of an emergency supply kit should include:
- Three-day supply of water (one gallon per person per day)
- Three-day supply of non-perishable food items (canned goods, peanut butter, protein bars, trail mix, etc.), a can-opener and silverware
- Flashlights and extra batteries
- Battery-powered weather radio
- First aid kit, including a seven-day supply of prescribed medications for family members
- Portable cell phone chargers
- Contact information and copies of important documents in a waterproof container
- Pet supplies
- Insect repellent
- Extra sets of house and car keys
Store the emergency kit in a safe space, or wherever your family plans to gather in the event of a hurricane threat near your home. Don’t forget to refresh the contents every year, so it’ll be one less thing you have to worry about.
Create a plan and practice it
Just like homes need a fire escape plan, homes in Louisiana and other coastal states need a hurricane preparedness plan. Your plan requires specifics—what room you’ll shelter in, an evacuation route, assigned responsibilities for pets or younger siblings, contact plans to reach out-of-state loved ones and more. Also consider sharing this plan with a trusted neighbor, in case hurricane-related weather occurs when kids are home alone.
Once you have a plan established, it’s important to practice it with your family once per year—preferably at the beginning of hurricane season in late spring or early summer.
Invest in a new-construction home
We’re not going to guarantee that a new-construction home can better protect your family against natural disasters like hurricanes, but there are some benefits that can make a difference.
New homes are built to modern codes, with higher quality materials and innovative building practices—and our trusted team of experts goes above and beyond during construction to achieve the safest, strongest end product. Homes from Alvarez Construction also undergo a strict quality control check, ensuring that each new home is built to the highest standards for a sturdy, long-lasting home.
Whether you’ve lived in Louisiana your whole life or are a recent transplant, protecting your family from hurricanes can be stressful. Aside from planning ahead with a preparedness kit and plan, the best peace of mind you can find is a solidly-constructed house. If you’re on the hunt for a new home in a welcoming neighborhood, Alvarez Construction has got you covered. Browse our communities in the greater Baton Rouge area or check out our available homes for a quicker move-in schedule. Contact us today to learn more!
