Hurricane season in Florida runs from June 1 to November 30. Hurricanes are a deadly and dangerous force. Being trapped in this type of storm can be terrifying and can lead to serious injuries, including head trauma, quadriplegia, fractures, spinal cord injuries, and more. Before a storm affects your Florida or Miami home, you may want to keep these safety tips in mind to prepare yourself for the upcoming season:
Have an emergency preparedness kit.
In your home, you will want to prepare an emergency kit that includes water, food, blankets, medications, a first aid kit, a radio, and anything else you may need if you are affected by a hurricane and must retreat your basement or other shelter for safety. Ideally, your emergency kit should have enough provisions to keep everyone in your family safe, nourished, and hydrated for a few days. It should also have enough cash so that you can buy necessities, even if bank machines are no longer working. You might want to keep a smaller preparedness kit in your car or workplace.
Have an emergency preparedness plan.
In addition to an emergency kit, you will want to have a plan. If a hurricane hits and you are at work or your child is at camp, how will you get in touch? Where will you meet? Have a plan in place and review it with your family so that everyone knows how to get in touch in the event of an emergency. Consider the safest area to wait out a hurricane. In most homes, this will be a basement. In an office building, this may be the basement, a stairwell, or other sheltered room with no windows. If your home does not have a basement, consider which room is the safest.
Know where to go for shelter.
Understand how to stay safe during a hurricane. If your home is on higher ground and has a basement, you might want to stay at home in your basement during the storm. Secure windows and doors during a warning and retreat. Avoid going outdoors during the storm. If you live in a trailer or in an area that could be affected by flooding, leave for a shelter once authorities determine that the storm is imminent; your home might not offer adequate protection. In either case, always listen to the news and follow public information for staying safe. Wait until the storm has passed and you are given the all-clear to head outside.
If you are injured in a hurricane or serious weather event, will you get fair compensation from your insurance company? Insurance disputes in Miami and other communities are unfortunately quite common after a major disaster. If you feel that your insurance company is acting in bad faith or if you have sustained injuries and would like to know whether you have a legal claim as well as an insurance claim, the attorneys at Flaxman Law Group are happy to help. Simply contact our law firm for a free, no obligation case review to discuss your situation and your rights.