As hurricane season approaches, CD Appliance Repair would like to ensure you and your appliances are prepared for whatever Mother Nature throws at our coastal community. Here’s our serious but not so serious guide to weathering the storms:
Before the Storm
- Create an inventory of your major appliances, including model & serial numbers and purchase dates. Take photos for insurance purposes and store in a waterproof container or on the cloud.
- Consider investing in surge protectors for valuable electronics and appliances to prevent damage from power fluctuations.
- Secure outdoor appliances like patio refrigerators, grills and air conditioning units that could become projectiles in high winds. Remember, your grill looks much better on your patio than in your neighbor’s living room! And you might need it for cooking if electricity is out. (see next bullet)
- Stock up on hurricane party essentials! As any true Floridian knows, proper hurricane preparation includes alcohol, BBQ supplies, and enough non-perishable snacks to feed the neighborhood. Nothing says, “We’re in this together!” like grilling all your soon-to-thaw frozen meats while sharing stories over hurricane cocktails!
During Weather Warnings
- Unplug all non-essential appliances to protect them from power surges when electricity is restored.
- Set your refrigerator and freezer to their coldest settings before power outages to keep food safe longer and group foods together to retain cold temperatures.
- Fill empty spaces with water bottles, which can serve as ice and drinking water later. Disconnect water lines to ice makers if possible.
- Fill large containers with water for drinking and sanitation if you don’t have a generator.
- Remember that time Florida Man was spotted surfing down Main Street during Hurricane Matthew while holding a cocktail? Don’t be that Florida Man. Stay inside!
After the Storm
- Wait until standing water recedes before turning on any appliances that may have been exposed to water.
- Check for frayed wires or unusual odors before reconnecting power to appliances.
- Contact our professional technicians if you suspect water damage to any major appliances.
- Host your post-hurricane “We Survived!” party. It’s a Florida tradition to celebrate making it through another one by inviting over everyone whose power is still out so they can charge their phones, take hot showers, and raid your refrigerator. The best neighborhood stories always start with, “Remember that hurricane when…”
Hurricane Cocktail Recipe
Here’s a classic Hurricane cocktail recipe that’s perfect for your next Florida party (because let’s face it, what else are you going to do while waiting out the storm?):
Ingredients:
- 2 oz light rum
- 2 oz dark rum
- 1 oz passion fruit juice
- 1 oz orange juice
- ½ oz fresh lime juice
- 1 tablespoon simple syrup
- 1 tablespoon grenadine
- Orange slice and cherry for garnish
Instructions:
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice
- Add all liquid ingredients
- Shake well until chilled
- Strain into a hurricane glass filled with fresh ice
- Garnish with orange slice and cherry
This fruity, rum-based cocktail is a classic that’s made its way to Florida hurricane parties everywhere! As they say in St. Augustine, “If the power’s going out anyway, might as well enjoy the ice while it lasts!”
Enjoy responsibly!
Remember, your safety is paramount. If you need assistance with appliance preparation or post-storm recovery, our local team is here to help. We’re proud to serve the St. Johns community through every season. Just call (904)-792-5022.
