The Ultimate DIY Guide to Preparing Your Home for Hurricane Season 2025 — Why This Year Matters More Than Ever in South Florida
- Lisa Williams
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
If you own a home in Boca Raton, Delray Beach, or the surrounding areas, you're already aware that hurricane season is an inevitable part of life. Every year, from June to November, Florida's east coast prepares for unpredictable and often destructive storms. However, 2025 is not just another hurricane season — meteorologists are predicting it could be one of the most active years in decades.
With higher-than-average ocean temperatures, changing climate patterns, and early storm formations already occurring, this year is anticipated to bring more frequent and more intense storms to the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. For seasonal and absentee homeowners, the risks are greater than ever.
That's why now — before the season intensifies — is the time to take proactive steps in storm preparation.
DIY Hurricane Prep: What to Do Before You Leave for the Summer — The Ultimate DIY Guide to Preparing Your Home for Hurricane Season 2025
If you're heading north for the season or simply won’t be at your South Florida home consistently, the best defense is preparation. Here's a detailed checklist you can follow to safeguard your property:
1. Check and Secure All Hurricane Shutters
Make sure all shutters are accounted for, functioning properly, and free of rust or damage.
Practice closing and locking them if they’re accordion-style or panel-based.
If you have impact windows, inspect them for cracks or compromised seals.
2. Secure or Store Outdoor Furniture
High winds can turn patio chairs, planters, grills, and pool toys into flying hazards.
Store all outdoor items indoors — ideally in a garage, shed, or secured room.
Tie down larger, heavier items with hurricane straps if they can't be moved inside.
3. Inspect Roof, Soffits, and Flashing
Check for missing or loose tiles, shingles, or cracks.
Make sure roof anchors and tie-downs are secure.
Have a professional inspect it annually if you're not comfortable doing it yourself.
4. Seal Doors and Windows
Apply weather stripping or caulking to doors and window frames to prevent water intrusion.
Use door braces or storm bars on garage doors and main entry points.
5. Unplug Electronics & Protect Appliances
Unplug TVs, routers, kitchen appliances, and other electronics to protect against surges.
Consider installing a whole-house surge protector.
Raise sensitive electronics off the floor in case of flooding.
6. Pour Vinegar or Bleach in A/C Drain Line
Prevent clogs and mold growth by pouring white vinegar or diluted bleach into your air conditioner’s condensate drain line.
This simple step can prevent a system backup or flood inside your home while you’re away.
7. Set Thermostat and Dehumidifier Properly
Set your thermostat to around 74–76°F with the fan on “Auto.”
If you have a whole-house dehumidifier, set it to 45–50% humidity.
Plug in portable dehumidifiers if necessary, especially in rooms prone to moisture.
8. Test Your Alarm and Security System
Make sure your alarm system is fully armed and working before you leave.
Check camera feeds if you have remote monitoring set up.
Notify your security company that the property will be vacant for an extended time.
9. Label Your Breaker Panel Clearly
If something needs to be shut off remotely (by a friend or a property manager), having a clearly labeled breaker box is a huge help.
Shut off non-essential circuits before leaving (e.g., pool heater, lighting, washer, dryer, etc.)
What If You Can’t Prep Before Leaving? That’s Where We Come In
At Safe Home Management, we understand that not everyone has the time, ability, or desire to handle storm preparation themselves — especially if you're managing your property from hundreds or thousands of miles away. The Ultimate DIY Guide to Preparing Your Home for Hurricane Season 2025
That’s why we offer professional hurricane prep, response, and recovery services tailored specifically for absentee homeowners and seasonal residents.
When a storm is on the horizon, we act fast on your behalf to:
Install accordion shutters or storm panels
Bring in outdoor furniture
Secure windows, doors, and garages
Confirm A/C systems are storm-ready
Take before-and-after photos of all areas in a detailed report
Return everything to its original place after the storm
Clean up debris and coordinate any needed repairs
We stay on call before, during, and after the storm — when it matters most.
Not a Member Yet? No Problem.
Even if you’re not an active client of Safe Home Management, we’re proud to assist any homeowner in Boca Raton and surrounding communities with storm preparation and post-storm response.
We offer:
One-time storm prep services
Emergency inspections
Post-storm condition reports
Damage documentation for insurance claims
Local coordination with vendors and contractors
Take Action Before the Forecast Does
The earlier you prepare, the safer your home will be — and the more peace of mind you’ll have wherever you are.
✅ Let us put your home on our 2025 Hurricane Response List today.
✅ Follow us on Facebook for real-time alerts: Safe Home Management Facebook Page
✅ Call or email us for a free consultation or to request last-minute coverage.
Safe Home Management
We prepare..... We protect..... We respond.....
Serving Boca Raton, Highland Beach, Delray Beach & surrounding areas