WS Chronicle

The hurricane season has started full blast, with Hurricane Florence barreling toward North Carolina this week. She is predicted to hit the Triad by Friday. We thought this would be a good time to relate some important points N.C. Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey urges residents to do to prepare now for Florence and her aftermath.

Causey says: “Know your insurance coverage, take pictures of your belongings, and leave your home if you need to in order to be safe. Being prepared in your home and at your workplace is the best way to survive a disaster and will put you in the best position for recovery once this emergency passes.”

He says:

*Make sure you have adequate insurance coverage.

*Compile important documents. Gather important paperwork, including insurance policies, medical records, and prescriptions. Be prepared to bring copies with you if you are forced to evacuate your home.

*Create a home inventory. Store your home inventory and related documents in a safe, easily accessible place online, on your smartphone, on your computer or in a fire-proof box or safe deposit box.

*Identify potential hazards around your home. Hanging tree branches, loose shingles, patio furniture and other outdoor objects can cause damage or injuries in a storm. Make repairs or secure large objects to reduce the threat.

*Review contact information. Make sure you have up-to-date contact information for your insurance agent and insurance company and make sure they have accurate contact information to reach you.

Consumers need to be especially careful during power outages, as the risk of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning and fire increase.

Poisonous carbon monoxide from portable generators can kill you and your family in minutes.

After the storm, if the power is out:

*Operate portable generators outside away from doors and windows and direct the generator’s exhaust away from the home and other buildings that someone could enter.

*Never operate a portable generator inside a home, garage, basement, crawlspace, shed or on the porch.

*Never ignore a carbon monoxide alarm when it rings. Get outside immediately. Call 911.

You can learn more about preparing for a hurricane or disaster by visiting www.nchurriclaims.com or by calling the N.C. Department of Insurance toll free at (855) 408-1212.

You can also go to readyforsyth.org.