Homeowner tips for Hurricane Sandy

BALTIMORE - Make sure your house is ready for Hurricane Sandy by following these steps provided by Alex Brown, former Senior Counsel to the Maryland Insurance Administration:

• Make sure your landscaping and trees do not become wind hazards and remove any diseased or damaged limbs from trees.  This will help keep them from blowing around during a storm.
• Pre-select a garage or carport to park your car in or an area of higher ground to move your car to in case of flooding.
• Consider building a safe room in you home to withstand high winds and flying debris.
• Secure buildings by closing and boarding up windows.  Remove outside antennas.
• Bring all lawn furniture, outdoor decorations, trash cans, hanging plants and anything else that could be picked up by the wind inside.  Anchor objects that cannot be brought inside.
• Move your car to a garage, a carport or an area of higher ground in the case of flooding.
• If you must leave your car outdoors, park as close to a building as possible.  Move your car away from trees or poles that may topple onto it.
• Make sure you fill your car's gas tank.
• Get emergency cash.
• Turn your refrigerator to its coldest setting.

Step 3: Conduct a home inventory.  

Make sure to record all your contents, even those in drawers. Don't forget to update your home inventory after making significant purchases.

Step 4: Getting your insurance claim paid

• Stay in contact with your insurance company if damage occurs to your house.  Make sure the insurance company knows how to contact you if you aren't living in your home.
• Keep all receipts from all repairs. (And make only temporary repairs). Ask your company before starting any repairs.