11 best hurricane preparedness products

Depending on where you live, hurricane season may spell trouble. Hurricanes can bring heavy winds, heavy rain and floods. Still, there are numerous things you can do to prepare your home and family for the storms. If you’re looking for hurricane preparedness products, it’s helpful to understand what steps you need to take.

Prepare your home in case you need to take shelter

If a hurricane forms, you may need to take shelter inside your home. It's best to stay on the first floor near the center of your house and avoid doors and windows if possible. You may need to reinforce some areas of your home and prepare your trees, patio furniture and other outdoor items for high winds.

• Trim your trees: High winds may result in fallen branches. Branches are particularly concerning if the tree is aging or weak. When trimming branches, it's best to prioritize those that pose the most significant risk. For example, aging limbs above your roof are more dangerous than those further from your home.
• Consider reinforcing your windows: Broken glass and wood create hazardous conditions for those in your home. Installing storm shutters reduces the risk of your windows shattering. Storm shutters are often made of durable metal or fabric. 
• You may need to reinforce your doors: Replace the screws in your door hinge with durable 3-inch screws. Ensure your deadbolt extends into your door frame completely. Install a door sweep or weatherstrip to keep water from coming in. If part of your door is glass, it may be best to cover it with thick plywood or a metal sheet.
• Secure patio furniture and other outdoor items: If patio furniture gets picked up by high winds, it could damage your home or vehicle. You can secure your outdoor items with ratchet straps, bungee cords or tie-downs made for heavy wind.
• Store your valuables somewhere safe: IDs, insurance policies and other essentials must be protected during a hurricane. It's best to buy a sturdy, waterproof safe in case water makes its way inside your home.

Best products to prepare your home for a hurricane

Black and Decker 20V Max Pole Saw

This is lightweight and extends up to 10 feet, although it can be tricky to balance. It breaks down into multiple pieces, making it easy to store. The saw automatically stops if the pole gets unscrewed.

Sold by Amazon and Home Depot

AstroGuard Hurricane Fabric

Installation can be challenging, but this hurricane fabric does an excellent job protecting your windows. It is large enough to cover sliding glass doors, large windows and more. You can cut it down to size to cover multiple smaller windows.

Sold by Home Depot

Rhino USA Ratchet Straps Tie Down Kit

These are relatively expensive but have a breaking strength of 5,208 pounds. The set includes four ratchet tie-downs and four soft-loop tie-downs. 

Sold by Amazon

SentrySafe Fireproof And Waterproof Safe With Dial Combination

This can withstand up to 8 inches of water for 24 hours. It features a dial combination and a secondary key for added security. It has a pry-resistant hinge and a 1.23-cubic-feet capacity.

Sold by Amazon

Stock up on emergency supplies

You may get stuck inside your home without electricity or water. It's essential to stock up on food, water and other emergency essentials. 

• First-aid kit: You may not be able to leave your home to go to a hospital. You'll need to have basic medical supplies on hand if someone gets hurt.
• Food and water: You'll need to eat and drink while stuck inside. It's important to have food that doesn't require a microwave or stove since your electricity may go out during the storm. 
• Generator: Generators are an excellent way to power your home during hurricane season. Still, it's essential not to use your generator inside or during wet conditions. They are best if used between heavy rains.
• Flashlights and lanterns: Wandering through your home in the dark can be dangerous. Having a set of capable flashlights and lanterns lets you navigate your home while the lights are out.
• Fire extinguisher: Although hurricanes are known for wet conditions, they can lead to fires. Having a few fire extinguishers in your home is essential.
• Pet supplies: If you have pets, you'll need extra food and water on hand for them. Because your pets won't be able to go outside to use the bathroom, you'll need an area set up with dog pads or a litter box. You may want to consider keeping a pet first-aid kit on hand.
• Emergency radio: These radios let you keep up with the latest weather developments. Many are powered by batteries, a hand crank, USB or a solar panel.

Best emergency supplies for a hurricane

Rapid Care First-Aid Kit

This three-shelf cabinet has everything you'll need in an emergency. It comes with instructions to help you handle some medical emergencies.

Sold by Amazon

MRE Beef & Chicken Entrees Combo

Meals Ready-to-Eat (MREs) don't require a heat source to prepare, making them ideal for a hurricane. This kit comes with 18 chicken and beef meals. 

Sold by Amazon

Westinghouse iGen2200 Super Quiet Portable Inverter Generator

This quiet generator produces enough electricity to power your essential appliances. It can run for 12 continuous hours on a single tank of fuel.

Sold by Amazon and Home Depot

Energizer T1000 LED Tactical Flashlight

This features a practical design that's rugged enough to stand up to being dropped. It has a four-hour runtime and emits up to 1,000 lumens.

Sold by Amazon

Amerex 5-Pound ABC Dry Chemical Class Fire Extinguisher

It's sturdy, rechargeable and effective, although the pull-pin mechanism can be tricky. It features an aluminum valve and contains 5 pounds of extinguishing agent.

Sold by Amazon and Home Depot

Rayco International Pet First-Aid Kit

This includes 45 first-aid essentials for dogs and cats. It doesn't have a first-aid handbook, but most were impressed with its versatility.

Sold by Amazon

Esky Portable Emergency Radio

This can be charged using a USB cable, solar panel or hand crank. The rugged design stands up to most inclement weather conditions.

Sold by Amazon

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Cody Stewart writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.

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