Florida Homebuilder Centerline Homes | Real Estate Blog

It's that time of year again and it is very important to keep in mind ways you can be prepared in the event that a hurricane heads in your direction.

Here's How:
1. Select a safe place for the family to weather the storm. This may be a location in your home -- consider a windowless room on the bottom floor. If your home doesn't have a safe area, you should know the locations of at least two emergency shelters near your home. If you have special medical needs and don't think you'll be able to get to the shelter on your own, contact the county in advance to make prior arrangements.
2. Stock up on food and water. You should have enough non-perishable food and water in your home to last the family for at least a few weeks. If your stock of supplies is old, be sure to refresh it. You might want to purchase new canned goods every few years and rotate the rest through your pantry. Water should be replaced annually.
3. Prepare other disaster supplies. You'll need to stock up on batteries, flashlights, rope, tarps, plastic bags, bad-weather clothing and other essentials to help you through the aftermath of a bad storm.
4. Get your home ready. If you have hurricane shutters, make sure that you have all of the parts and have some extra screws/washers handy. If you don't, have a supply of plywood precut to fit your windows. Gather anything loose from your yard and store it in the garage. Watch the news when a storm is approaching and protect your home when advised by local authorities. If you wait until the rain starts, it may be too late.
5. Develop a family communications plan. You might become separated before or after the storm. It's a good idea to have an out-of-state contact (a relative up north?) to act as the point of contact for all family members in the event of an emergency. Make sure everyone in the family knows who that person is and carries their phone number in their wallet or purse.
6. Check your insurance coverage. Companies stop writing coverage when a storm is approaching. Ensure that your homeowner's insurance has enough windstorm coverage to rebuild your home in today's market. Also, remember that standard insurance doesn't cover flooding. You'll need special flood insurance from the federal government.
7. Plan for the family pets. Shelters will not accept pets. If you want to ensure your pets livelihood, you may wish to consider evacuating early to a friend's home that's in a safe area.
8. Keep your vehicles gassed up to at least half a tank at all times throughout hurricane season. When a storm approaches, lines WILL get long (up to five hours!) and gas stations will run out of gas before the storm hits. You need to have enough gas to safely evacuate if the situation warrants.

What You Need:
•Non-perishable food
•Drinking water
•Batteries
•Medication for all family members
•First aid kit
•Flashlights
•Battery-operated radio
•Cash
•Toiletries
•Clothing

Dont Forget Fido!

When making your plans and purchases for this year’s hurricane season, don’t forget your pets. After all, they’re family members too. Be sure to have an extra supply of any medications that your pet may take in addition to stocking up on their food, and of course their treats of choice. Also remember when you’re stocking up on bottled water, to grab a few additional bottles for your dog or cat. Lastly, as we all know pets have a highly developed sense of hearing. A major storm, such as a hurricane, amplifies the sound of thunder and the howling winds may make even the calmest pet get a little nervous and crazy. If your four-legged friend is high-strung to begin with, you may want to talk to you veterinarian about having a few pet tranquilizers to add to your hurricane supply box.

Additional hurricane preparation tips can be found on The Weather Channel’s web site, www.weather.com

www.centerlinehomes.com

The 2011 hurricane season began today after six years without a direct hit to Florida. Don't get too comfortable, emergency planners say, and stay informed. Here are some things to know about this year's hurricane season, which ends Nov. 30.

Another busy hurricane season is predicted for 2011.  All the major hurricane prediction organizations forecast a busy 2011 hurricane season. NOAA's latest forecast predicts 12-18 named storms, 6-10 hurricanes, and 3-6 major hurricanes (111 mph or higher). Forecasters predicted an active season last year, and it was — 19 named storms and 12 hurricanes.  Fortunately we were spared last year but let’s not take it for granted, pull those old hurricane plan books off the shelf and brush the dust off.  Make sure they are still accurate and viable for you, your family and/or business.

If you don't have a storm plan ready, now's a great time to put one together.  Here are some Tips to help get you started with your planning.

1. Review your storm plan.  You should already have a plan laid out for you and your family.  If not you should prepare one now and make sure at least 1 person outside the storm area knows your plan.
   1. Are you in an evacuation zone or mobile home?
   2. Know your evacuation routes
   3. Know what to pack (Food, Money, Clothes, HBC, Sleeping Items)
   4. Make sure you have shutters or plywood ready for installation.  Hire a professional if needed.
   5. If you have a Pet make sure you make plans for them since many shelters will not allow animals.
2. When a Hurricane is approaching DO NOT Trim Your Trees and Shrubs.  Waste Management will not be able to handle the overload and the lose debris is extremely dangerous.
3. Take video or photos of your property (Inside and Out). This will help later on with any insurance claims for damage that may need to be filed.
4. Make Sure Your Gas Tanks in Your Autos are Full.  As we have experienced in the past without power pumps don't work.
5. Stock Up on Nonperishable's.  Make sure you have bottled water, non-perishable foods like canned goods, snack bars, cereal and crackers. Don't forget a can opener!
6. Have enough cash to last at least a week.  History has shown us that we may not have power for over a week.  ATM's and Credit Card Machines may not be available.
7. A Hard Copy of Contact Information.  If you live in an evacuation zone (or plan on leaving town) have a couple hotels preselected or know which family members well out of the affected area you're heading to.
8. Get Plenty of Batteries, at least 2 Flashlights, and a battery operated radio.  Keep in mind if you have one of those small analog TV's it may not work since the digital conversion!
9. Fill a few containers for storing water.  History has shown you may lose water for days if the water plants lose power.  You will need enough water for cooking, cleaning, and bathing.  Another Tip is to keep a big bucket of water for your bathroom.  You can flush the toilet occasionally by pouring water into the bowl.  You can also fill your Tub for an extra supply.
10. Make sure you have extra medications if required.  Many pharmacies may not be open for days following a storm.  Keep a larger supply handy if possible.

See http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/HAW2/english/disaster_prevention.shtml for more info.

Hurricane season is in full swing.  Just turn on the news and you will see we have several named storms in the Atlantic right now.  Although it appears as of today Florida isn't in the projected path now is a great time for you to think about some of these following hurricane action items.

1. Review your storm plan.  You should already have a plan laid out for you and your family.  If not you should prepare one now and make sure at least 1 person outside the storm area knows your plan.
   1. Are you in an evacuation zone or mobile home?
   2. Know your evacuation routes
   3. Know what to pack (Food, Money, Clothes, HBC, Sleeping Items)
   4. Make sure you have shutters or plywood ready for installation.  Hire a professional if needed.
   5. If you have a Pet make sure you make plans for them since many shelters will not allow animals.
2. When a Hurricane is approaching DO NOT Trim Your Trees and Shrubs.  Waste Management will not be able to handle the overload and the lose debris is extremely dangerous.
3. Take video or photos of your property (Inside and Out). This will help later on with any insurance claims for damage that may need to be filed.
4. Make Sure Your Gas Tanks in Your Autos are Full.  As we have experienced in the past without power pumps don't work.
5. Stock Up on Nonperishable's.  Make sure you have bottled water, non-perishable foods like canned goods, snack bars, cereal and crackers. Don't forget a can opener!
6. Have enough cash to last at least a week.  History has shown us that we may not have power for over a week.  ATM's and Credit Card Machines may not be available.
7. A Hard Copy of Contact Information.  If you live in an evacuation zone (or plan on leaving town) have a couple hotels preselected or know which family members well out of the affected area you're heading to.
8. Get Plenty of Batteries, at least 2 Flashlights, and a battery operated radio.  Keep in mind if you have one of those small analog TV's it may not work since the digital conversion!
9. Fill a few containers for storing water.  History has shown you may lose water for days if the water plants lose power.  You will need enough water for cooking, cleaning, and bathing.  Another Tip is to keep a big bucket of water for your bathroom.  You can flush the toilet occasionally by pouring water into the bowl.  You can also fill your Tub for an extra supply.
10. Make sure you have extra medications if required.  Many pharmacies may not be open for days following a storm.  Keep a larger supply handy if possible.

See http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/HAW2/english/disaster_prevention.shtml for more info.

www.centerlinehomes.com

Dengue Fever

The Centers For Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention reported Tuesday that more than 1000 people in Key West, Florida had been exposed to Dengue Fever. No infections had been reported since 1934. Dengue Fever is common outside the US, up to one million cases are reported annually. In a statement The CDC’s, Dr. Harold Margolis, expressed concern that if dengue proliferates in Key West, it could spread to other cities where the mosquito that carries the disease is common.  Tourists are being cautioned to take measures against mosquito bite. If bitten by a carrier mosquito in The Keys, there is a chance a second bite after returning home could spread the disease through local mosquitoes.  The Monroe County Health Department medical director, says risk is minimal, the use of a insect repellant containing DEET is recommended.  Dengue has emerged as a worldwide problem only since the 1950s. Although dengue rarely occurs in the continental United States, it is endemic in Puerto Rico, and in many popular tourist destinations in Latin America and Southeast Asia; periodic outbreaks occur in Samoa and Guam.

Dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) is characterized by a fever that lasts from 2 to 7 days, with general signs and symptoms consistent with dengue fever. When the fever declines, warning signs may develop.

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