Preparing Your Outdoor Lights for Hurricane Season

If you live in any states along the Atlantic coast or near the Gulf of Mexico, you probably already know that hurricane season generally lasts from June 1 to November 30th. You also likely already have a disaster supplies kit put together with everything you might need during and after a storm (e.g., water, batteries, flashlights, blankets, radio, food, etc.) and know the evacuation routes in your area. But did you know there are steps you can take to prepare your outdoor lights to minimize damage during hurricane season?

Consider the following tips to help protect your outdoor lighting system from the harmful effects of a hurricane. 

Choose High Quality Fixtures

One of the best things you can do to minimize damage from storms is to start with sturdy, weather resistant fixtures made of high quality materials like brass or other metals. Many outdoor lighting fixtures from big box stores include plastic parts, which are more prone to break even under the best of circumstances. Broken fixtures can quickly become projectiles in the high winds of a storm.

Inspect and Secure Fixtures and Connections

At the beginning of each hurricane season and before and after any storms it’s important to inspect all of your outdoor lighting for any damage or wear and tear from weather or animal activity. If your fixtures are attached to walls or on posts, make sure they continue to be attached securely. Replace any broken fixtures.

Check all electrical connections to make sure none are loose and no wiring is damaged or frayed. It might be a good idea to use waterproof connectors, buy a waterproof cover for your electrical connections, or to wrap electrical tape around connections to protect against water damage.

Trim Vegetation Around Lighting

Keep all trees, bushes, shrubs, and other vegetation neatly trimmed and away from your outdoor lights. Anything that might break off in a storm and get blown into your lights might damage them or knock them loose.

Install Protective Coverings

Depending on the type of outdoor lighting fixtures you have, you might be able to add protective coverings like light shields, cages, or boxes specially made to go over outdoor light fixtures. Check online retailers, hardware stores, or call a professional outdoor lighting company to explore your options. 

Store Patio Furniture

Chairs, tables, planters, grills, and anything else you keep in your backyard living spaces that can’t be secured should be moved to the garage or other storage area. These items can become airborne and cause significant damage to your outdoor lights and also to your home.

Keep Up With Regular Maintenance

As noted above, ensuring all your fixtures, connections, and wiring are free of damage is an important step in hurricane preparedness. Regular maintenance of your outdoor lighting system can make this step easier and give you one less thing to think about as you prepare for a storm. 

The lighting professionals at Houston Lightscapes offer an outstanding maintenance and repair program to address all your outdoor lighting needs, including: 

• Changing out each light bulb and replacing each socket as needed
• Checking voltage of each light and your entire system for safety
• Burying any exposed wiring 
• Cleaning fixture lenses
• Clearing foliage overgrowth
• Adjusting lighting fixture positioning and securing fixtures

Give us a call at (713) 461-3600 to set up a free consultation to find out more about what we can do for you today.