Before we get to the dangers of procrastination, we are thrilled to announce that we are now servicing three new counties: Hillsborough County, Pasco County and Pinellas County. Expanding our reach allows us to better serve more families and businesses in keeping their homes and properties safe from the unpredictable forces of nature.

We do this by providing the very best when it comes to hurricane screens, hurricane shutters, hurricane impact windows and hurricane impact doors. With hurricane season upon us, we urge everyone, especially those in these newly added counties, to take hurricane preparedness seriously.

Hurricanes are powerful storms that can cause massive destruction, and they don’t wait for anyone. Yet, despite the potential devastation, many of us still procrastinate when it comes to preparing for natural disasters. It’s only human. “Procrastination is the art of keeping up with yesterday,” author Don Marquis once said. And while that might be a light-hearted take on human nature, putting off hurricane preparations until the last minute is a risk you simply cannot afford.

Why Do We Procrastinate?

Preventing disaster is something that human beings are hardwired to do, hence preparing for a hurricane can be overwhelming. You may have a million things to do from stocking up on supplies to securing your home. Also, when a hurricane is supposed to be so far off, it’s easy to tell ourselves there’s still time. Psychological studies have shown that often a person’s emotions affect the amount of procrastination done and the way it is done. There are things that bring us stress or discomfort that we delay, even when its plainly obvious that we should do them sooner rather than later.

However, when it comes to hurricane preparedness, time is not on your side. Hurricanes can change course and gain strength with little warning, leaving you with only hours or even minutes to respond. The key to surviving and mitigating damage during a hurricane is preparation—long before the storm hits.

How To Prepare Your House For A Hurricane

Acting early gives you the upper hand. When you wait until a hurricane is already approaching, you’re competing with everyone else for supplies like water, batteries, and plywood. Shelves empty quickly, and panic can set in. By preparing early, you ensure that you and your loved ones are ready, regardless of how quickly a storm develops.

Here’s a basic checklist to get started:

1. Emergency Supplies: Stock up on non-perishable food, bottled water, batteries, flashlights, and a first-aid kit. Don’t forget important medications.
2. Secure Your Home: Reinforce windows and doors, clear your yard of loose items, and consider investing in storm shutters.
3. Have a Plan: Know your evacuation route and have an emergency contact plan in place for your family members.
4. Stay Informed: Monitor weather forecasts and have a battery-powered radio for updates in case the power goes out.

Don’t Let Procrastination Get the Best of You

It’s easy to think, “I’ll do it tomorrow,” or “It won’t happen here,” but these are the thoughts that leave people vulnerable. As humans, we are prone to delay tasks, especially uncomfortable ones, but when it comes to hurricane preparedness, waiting could put your life and property at risk. Taking action now, before the storm is even on the radar, ensures you can face the hurricane with the confidence that you’ve done everything possible to protect yourself and your loved ones.

In our newly expanded service areas, we are committed to helping more residents be better prepared for natural disasters. Remember, hurricanes are unpredictable, and once they’re bearing down on your community, it’s often too late to do anything but hope for the best. Don’t procrastinate—prepare now, and you’ll have peace of mind no matter what the season brings.

Other helpful articles:

Is it Possible to Be Too Prepared for a Hurricane? The answer is No.

Designing for Durability: Outdoor Enhancements That Combine Style and Hurricane Protection