Home Prep List

Preparing your home before a hurricane isn’t just about protecting property. It’s about protecting your ability to recover quickly once the storm passes. The Home Prep List is designed to walk you through every step, from securing the structure to safeguarding your utilities, electronics, food, medications, documents, and personal essentials. These aren’t theoretical tips; they’re real-world practices used by lifelong Floridians who have weathered decades of storms and know how fast conditions can change.

A properly prepared home gives you options. It keeps you safe if you stay, reduces damage if you leave, and minimizes the chaos when you return. This list focuses on practical actions you can take in the days leading up to landfall: reinforcing windows and doors, staging emergency supplies, organizing backup power, strengthening communication plans, and preparing your home to withstand prolonged power outages. The goal is simple. Turn anxiety into a clear plan you can follow step by step.

Home Prep Checklist

🔧 Secure the Structure

  • Inspect and reinforce windows (shutters, plywood, impact panels)

  • Secure all exterior doors, including garage doors

  • Bring in or tie down outdoor furniture, grills, planters, and yard décor

  • Clear gutters, downspouts, and roof drains

  • Trim weak branches and remove loose debris from the yard

  • Check roof for loose shingles, tiles, or flashing

🔌 Power & Utilities

  • Fully charge all power banks, battery stations, and devices

  • Test generator and ensure fuel + stabilizer is on hand

  • Know how to safely turn off water, gas, and electricity

  • Unplug non-essential electronics to protect from surges

  • Fill bathtubs and large containers with water (cleaning + flushing)

  • Freeze water jugs to extend fridge/freezer cooling time

🍗 Food & Water

  • Stock at least 3–7 days of shelf-stable food

  • Store 1 gallon of water per person per day (minimum)

  • Ensure pets have food, water, and travel supplies

  • Prepare a manual can opener, paper plates, utensils, napkins

  • Inventory fridge/freezer and move perishables to the coldest areas

💊 Medical & Personal Essentials

  • Refill prescriptions (minimum 7–14 days supply)

  • Assemble or update your home medical kit

  • Stock OTC medications, allergy meds, and first-aid supplies

  • Gather glasses, contact lenses, and backups

  • Secure essential hygiene supplies & sanitation items

  • Ensure at least one fire extinguisher rated for lithium battery fires

📄 Documents & Records

  • Place IDs, insurance documents, medical records, and passports in waterproof bags

  • Photograph important rooms, belongings, and valuables for insurance

  • Back up digital files to cloud + external drive

  • Print hard copies of evacuation routes and emergency contacts

🪫 Communication & Alerts

  • Charge phones, radios, GPS units, and backup batteries

  • Enable Wireless Emergency Alerts on your phone

  • Program NOAA radio channels

  • Write down key phone numbers in case phones lose power

  • Ensure you have offline maps downloaded

🚗 Vehicle Readiness

  • Fill all fuel tanks to full

  • Check tires, wipers, fluids, and lights

  • Load your go-bags and vehicle kits

  • Park away from trees, power lines, and flood-prone areas

  • Place key gear in easy-access zones (not buried in the trunk)

🐶 Pets & Animals

  • Prepare carriers, leashes, harnesses

  • Pack food, meds, water, bowls, and comfort items

  • Update microchip information and ID tags

  • Know which shelters/hotels accept pets

🏠 Indoor Prep

  • Move valuables off the floor

  • Seal important rooms with towels near the doors

  • Set fridge/freezer to their coldest settings

  • Close interior doors to reduce wind pressure

  • Prepare an interior safe room for sheltering

🌧 After the Storm

  • Stay indoors until authorities confirm it’s safe

  • Avoid flooded roads and downed power lines

  • Document all damage thoroughly before cleanup

  • Use generators outside only—never indoors or in garages

  • Follow boil-water advisories if issued