The most important things that you can do prior to a hurricane are being informed and prepared. Disaster prevention includes preparing your family, yourself and your home in an attempt to minimize damages.

For personal safety, identify what storm shelter is available to you and prepare an evacuation plan. Choose two meeting places: one right outside your home in case of a sudden emergency, and one outside your neighborhood in case you can't return home.  The following link provides a list of items to be considered when formulating a family disaster plan http://www.miamidade.gov/oem/family-plan.asp.

Make sure you have bottled water, a fist aid kit, flashlights, a battery-powered radio, non-perishable food items, blankets, clothing, prescription drugs, eyeglasses, personal hygiene supplies, and a small amount of cash or traveler's checks.  The following link provides recommendations for a hurricane/disaster supply kit http://www.miamidade.gov/oem/preparedness_disaster_kit.asp.

While many people make plans for themselves, their families and their homes, they often forget to include their pets in disaster planning and preparation.  Make a plan for your pets. Not all emergency shelters will take pets. Check with your local veterinarian for help with plan.  The following link outlines a pet hurricane/disaster plan http://www.miamidade.gov/hurricane/pet.asp.

If you need to evacuate your home, turn off all utilities and disconnect appliances to reduce the chance of additional damage and electrical shock when utilities are restored.

Take proactive steps to protect your property from loss. Install storm shutters or cover windows prior to a hurricane. Keep trees and shrubs trimmed. Pick up loose branches. Brace the top and bottom of double-entry and garage doors.  Clear your yard of lawn furniture, potted plants, bicycles, trash cans, etc. Leave swimming pools filled and super-chlorinated.

While making these preparations takes time and effort, the value associated with them may turn out to be priceless.