Hurricane Preparedness Week is May 27 through June 2 – a perfect time for you to do what it takes to prepare for Florida’s summer weather.

Having lived in Florida for 25 years, I can tell you that preparing for hurricane season is one item that should top your summer to-do list. Doing all I can to keep my family and home safe before a major storm hits brings me great peace of mind.

Have a Plan

Your first step to keep your family safe is to put a plan into writing. Outline evacuation routes for all family members and address critical needs such as medications and medical equipment. If anyone has special medical needs requiring assistance, include a phone number for your local emergency management office.

It’s also a good idea to jot down your FPL account number, which appears on your bill. In the event of a power outage, have it ready and call 1-800-4OUTAGE (1-800-468-8243) to receive helpful information on the status of your outage.

Stock Emergency Supplies

On your next grocery run, start loading up on the essentials. Emergency operations officials recommend a two-week supply of non-perishable food and water. Your emergency kit should also include a battery-operated radio and extra batteries. Consider the needs of each member of your household when stocking emergency supplies, including medication, baby needs and extra pet food.

Prepare Your Home

When was the last time you checked your hurricane shutters? Now’s the time to make sure they’re in good working condition. If you don’t have shutters, consider buying plywood that fits over your windows and doors. To reduce the risk of tree debris blowing into power lines, trim your trees – but please do not attempt to trim any vegetation growing near electrical lines. Only qualified tree-trimming professionals should perform this work.

Here at FPL, we’re preparing year-round for storms. We want you and your family to be ready, too. Click on our Storm Preparation Checklist to help with your preparations.