Hurricane Preparedness Guide

Hurricane season is officially here and the National Weather Service is going nuts trying to remind people via social media to have a plan and get prepared BEFORE there's a storm on the horizon. Forecasts for this year call for an above-average season, so I thought it would be a good idea to share basic preparedness tips.

1.) Have important phone numbers and account numbers handy. 

• Electric company (+ account number)
• Car insurance company (+ account number)
• Home insurance company (+ account number)
• Gas company (+ account number)
• Non-emergency police
• Doctor's office
• Important family & close friends (in case your phone is damaged)

You can store all of these numbers on a single sheet of paper in a zip-lock bag somewhere that's easy to get to. 

2.) Have important documents in a water-tight location.

I keep important documents with my list of phone numbers in a water-tight zip-lock bag.

• Birth certificates
• Insurance policies
• Social Security cards

3.) Gather supplies

• Water
• Non-perishable food (include items you can heat and items that don't need to be heated)
• Sanitary items (hand sanitizer, feminine products, Clorox wipes)
• Dishwashing supplies (plastic tub, dish detergent, sponge)
• Paper supplies (paper towels, napkins, paper plates, plastic silverware)
• First Aid kit (or at least some Neosporin and bandaids)
• Flashlights and extra batteries
• Hurricane lamps and oil
• Cash (if card readers go down, you'll only be able to use cash to get gas or other necessities.)

If you plan right, these are all supplies that you can keep in your normal rotation and use year-round. I like to consult my supplies list as soon as I hear that a hurricane *might* come our way and re-stock or refresh as needed. Usually, all I have to do is grab a couple extra gallons of water and an extra box of bandaids. Because hurricanes don't usually level homes where we live, I don't worry about making my kit mobile, but I would if a big enough storm were expected or if I lived in a location like Florida that gets hit much harder.

4.) Have a plan

Since everyone is usually home from school or work when they're predicting a hurricane, our plan doesn't involve a meeting place, BUT we do have a plan for the 24 hours leading up to the hurricane. 

• Turn up the fridge and freezers - this way, if the power goes out, we won't have to worry about food spoiling as quickly
• Make extra ice - Any available space in the freezer gets filled with ice
• Double check supplies & documents
• Get cash if needed
• Charge ALL electronics
• Wash laundry and dishes - because if the power goes out, it might be a while until you can use your washing machine or dish washer.

That's our basic hurricane guide. Is there anything I missed that you do to get ready for a storm? 

Missed Opportunity

I had a client on Fiverr decide they didn't like an article I wrote for them. After going back and forth with a revision, I knew they wouldn't be satisfied with anything I wrote because what they want and what they need (per their requirements) were 2 different things. Plus, their requirements totaled 670 words when my gig only offered 400 and yes, they only ordered 1 gig. Fiverr takes $1 in commission and I was already in this about 2 hours with all of their instructions and revisions. Not worth it.

So, I'm posting what I wrote for them here, so they can't use it. It's what I do... because, Google.

Here it is:

Why You Should Consider Solar

Solar Energy is the future of the world. It’s an affordable and renewable way to meet your home’s electricity requirements using the abundant energy from the sun. In order to capture this free energy, a series of solar panels are installed on your home’s roof. These panels collect energy from sunlight and transform it into the type used in your home. It’s simple, efficient and good for the environment.

Environmental Impacts

Traditionally, fossil fuels have been used to generate power for homes and businesses. Huge plants that burn coal or natural gas are located in cities and towns throughout the country. These plants produce an enormous amount of air pollution. Even getting the fossil fuels in order to burn them is a dangerous and lengthy process that results in pollution, degradation of the environment and more.

Unlike fossil fuels, solar energy is environmentally friendly. The panels are mounted on the roofs of existing homes or on the ground in a sunny location. The panels produce no pollution and won’t contaminate rainwater. They can be used in any environment, even ones where snow is common. There is no drilling or tracking required to produce the energy and there are no impacts on local fauna or flora.  The clean and renewable energy source will not contribute to global warming or other environmental concerns. It’s the perfect energy source.

How it Works

Solar panels work by using a system of lenses and mirrors to collect and focus sunlight into a concentrated beam. The beam of light is then converted into electricity using a photovoltaic effect. The electricity generated then powers your home.

Solar panels are made of manmade materials, often including a combination plastic and metal components. The panels have integrated glass lenses and mirrors that are used to collect and focus the energy from the sun.

One of the key components of a solar panel is the inverter. The inverter is a small box that converts the concentrated beam of energy from the sun into the type of electricity that is used in homes. The energy produced then passes through a utility meter which records the amount of energy generated. The utility meter may be the one already installed on your home, but it will run in reverse when the panels are generating electricity. Most home solar panel systems will generate enough power to significantly reduce electricity bills or even generate a credit during the summer or during daylight hours when sunlight is abundant and usage is lower.

When you install solar panels on your home, you’ll still be connected to your electric provider through the energy grid, so you’ll always have power. However, using electricity will be more enjoyable because you’ll be saving money and saving the environment.

How to Get Solar Energy

Interested in learning more? Just fill out the form below - it’s quick, easy and free. We’ll take the information you provide and find you the best solar provider for your needs. That solar provider will come to your home to assess your roof’s angle, location and area. Then they’ll design a plan that will meet your home’s unique needs. Solar panel installation is always free using our partnered providers. Once your panels are installed, you’ll get to enjoy affordable, clean energy while saving money on your utility bills. Don’t wait another minute - find out how you can save money and the environment by looking into solar.