MILWAUKEE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Preparing a home for the upcoming hurricane season, and the power outages that follow, does not need to be an overwhelming endeavor. Hurricane Preparedness Week, May 27 to June 2, sponsored by the National Weather Service’s Hurricane Center, offers a good reminder for residents along the East and Gulf coasts to prepare their homes before a storm makes the news. Hurricane season officially begins June 1 and runs through November. There are many ways to properly prepare a home for a hurricane, according to the Federal Emergency Management’s Ready Campaign. • Protect windows with storm screens and covers to help combat high winds. • Secure entryways to the home with storm doors, locks and latches. • Use chain saws, branch clippers and hedge trimmers to keep trees and shrubs well-trimmed in order to increase wind resistance. • Organize and tidy the garage with storage lockers to make room for outdoor patio items that may need to be stored during a hurricane. In addition, Sears’ Schwartz recommends having the following items on hand in advance of a hurricane: •Tools to shelter and clean up homes— Craftsman wet/dry shop vacuums, drills and chainsaws •Back-up generators— Sears associates can help customers determine the size and strength needed for their space, and they can help explain to homeowners the difference between portable generators and permanently installed generators. Like many hurricane preparedness items, portable generators can be in high demand in hurricane areas as a forecasted storm nears landfall. Consider calling your local Sears store in advance to check generator availability. For those who need an immediate solution during an outage to power a few key appliances, a portable generator may be the best solution.
