Prevent property damage during a hurricane

When a hurricane watch is issued, take a few measures to prevent or minimize damage to your home or property.

Protect windows, sliding glass doors, and skylights with shutter or plywood.

Put your car in a garage or other shelter. Secure boats and trailers. Secure outdoor furniture and any other loose material outside.

If possible, trim back any dead wood from trees. This will reduce the amount of wind stress on trees and eliminate potential damage from falling limbs.

Move valuables away from windows and, if possible, to an upper floor.

Bring pets indoors or make other arrangements for their safety. If you must seek shelter in a community shelter, understand you will probably not be able to keep your pets with you. Contact your local humane society for information about animal shelters.

If you are leaving your home, lock and secure the premises. Take small valuables and important documents with you.

Be sure and make a home inventory. Photograph or videotape each room and the exterior of your home. List serial numbers of the items you can.

Keep your inventory, insurance policy and any other important documents in a safe deposit box or other secure spot.

If your home or property is damaged, accurate records can help speed up the claims process and can help prove tax-deductible uninsured losses.