Prepare for Hurricane Season

Hurricane Season Runs from June through November...Insurance United Services wants you and your family to be safe!

Some ways you can plan ahead:

-Prepare your emergency kit. (https://www.ready.gov/build-a-kit)
2-Check your evacuation route. (http://www.scdot.org/getting/evacuation.aspx)
3-Have an emergency plan. (https://www.ready.gov/make-a-plan)

Be Ready.

Before the storm

Tropical storm or hurricane heading your way? Here are some ways to get your family ready:

Have a portable radio, TV, or NOAA weather radio on hand to monitor official weather forecasts and other important information for your area
Check supplies and make sure you have an emergency kit stocked with items you might need, like flashlights, batteries, first-aid supplies and medicines, non-perishable food and water. Find out more about preparing an emergency kit at ready.gov.
Unplug major, non-vital appliances. Advanced surge protectors will protect your home from most power surges, but will not prevent damage from a direct lightning strike.
Pay attention to local television and radio for hurricane position, intensity and expected landfall.
Prepare for the potential of high winds and flooding.
Put important papers in watertight containers (take them if you evacuate) and move valuables to the upper floors of your home.
Families who have special medical needs or elderly members should make alternate arrangements should an extended outage occur. Identify an alternate location in case you have to evacuate or experience an extended power outage.
Have at least one traditional analog phone in your home that does not require electricity to operate. Cordless phones and phones with built-in answering machines will not operate during a power outage.
Homeowners who depend on well water should draw an emergency water supply in case power to their electric water pump is interrupted.

Know how to keep your household safe, and when to evacuate:

Continue to monitor the television and radio for important information from official sources. Be prepared to evacuate at a moment's notice.
Consider checking on others who may benefit from assistance.
Consider all downed power lines and anything touching them energized and DANGEROUS! Do not go near them - report the problem to the power company.
Minimize opening freezers and refrigerators. Opening these appliances will allow food to thaw more quickly.
During severe weather or power outages, turn off as many appliances and electronics as possible. This will reduce the potential for damage or fire. After power is restored, wait 5 to 10 minutes before turning them back on.

When the weather calms, safety hazards still abound. Follow these tips to protect you and your family:

Check for electrical damage inside your home, such as frayed wires, sparks or the smell of burning insulation. If you find damage, don't turn your power on until an electrician inspects your system and makes necessary repairs.
Stay away from downed or sagging power lines. Do not touch anything that is on or near a power line (i.e. trees, limbs, cars, ladders). If someone suffers an electric shock, call 911 or your local rescue squad immediately. Even minor shocks may cause serious health problems later.
Keep children and family pets away from areas where lines may have fallen (backyards, fields, school yards, etc.).
If a power line falls across a car that you are in, stay in the car. If you MUST get out of the car due to a fire or other immediate life-threatening situation, do your best to jump clear of the car and land on both feet. Be sure that no part of your body is touching the car when your feet touch the ground.
Walk or drive cautiously as downed power lines may be hidden by storm debris.
Replenish your supplies of batteries, bottled water and non-perishable food items in preparation for future storms.
For your safety, have a licensed electrician disconnect your generator unless the generator has an automatic disconnection device.
Report all power line hazards to your local emergency services department/agency.

Get more information on hurricanes and hurricane safety at:

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