Natural disasters can be devastating and it’s important to be prepared. Here are some tips on how to prepare your home for a natural disaster:

• Make a Basic Storm Kit: A basic storm kit is designed to get a family through 48 hours without electricity and basic services. Your basic storm kit should include whistles, blankets, garbage bags, batteries, a three-day water supply, and two days worth of food.

• Fill Gas Containers: A 5,500-watt generator will run for about eight hours on 5 gallons of gasoline, so gas management is critical if you want to be prepared for an extended power outage.

• Start Moving Stuff: Bring in outdoor objects such as lawn furniture, toys, garden tools, and anchor objects that cannot be brought inside.

• Review Evacuation Plans: You need to have an emergency plan made up before disaster strikes. To start, you and your family should pick two locations to go to for safety in the event of an emergency. Choose one out-of-town person as an emergency contact and create a list of emergency contacts that can be kept in a safe, readily available place.

• Locate Water, Gas, and Electricity shut-offs: Finding the water, gas, and electricity shutoffs should be among the first things you do when you move into a new home. They should be near the top of your list for locating when a hurricane is forecasted.

• Prepare Windows, Doors, and Garage Doors: If you live in an area susceptible to hurricanes then it’s best to prepare the available in the event of a disaster because you will need that proof for claims and assistance.

• Turn the Refrigerator and Freezer to the Coldest Setting: That way if the power does go out your food will stay cold a little longer.

• Unplug Electrical Appliances if Power is Lost: Unplugging your appliances will prevent any potential damage from a power surge once power is restored.

• Gather Insurance Documents: Your home insurance documents, and other important papers should be part of your storm kit and readily available in the event of a disaster because you will need that proof for claims and assistance.

• Determine What to Do with Pets: Not all emergency shelters will accept pets through their doors so it’s important to have a plan for your pets. Before storm season arrives, locate shelters that allow pets and contact them. Keep a picture of your pet if it gets lost or have them microchipped if you haven’t already.

Take the time now to create an emergency plan and review it with your family. Update it annually to make sure everything is up to date. Your future self will thank you!