Bermuda’s hurricane season began on June 1. We urge residents to once again prepare in earnest for a hurricane season that has been forecasted by The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) as busier than average. The 2011 season is predicted to consist of 12 to 18 named storms of which six to 10 could become hurricanes and three to six could become major storms (category 3, 4 or 5).In addition to making preparations to protect your home and belongings, also consider how you can best keep pets and elderly neighbours safe as they are less able to ensure their own safety. Proper preparation can reduce the damage of a major storm or hurricane to both you and your property.Hurricane Igor was the largest to hit Bermuda in 2010. We are thankful that Igor was downgraded to a Category 1 storm before it reached us, although a near miss such as this is no reason to be complacent. Argus processed only a small number of minor claims as the impact to vehicles, boats, homes and businesses was minimal. The limited amount of havoc that Igor wreaked is partly due to the thorough planning and actions taken by residents before Igor struck.A full checklist to help you prepare for a hurricane is available on the Argus website: www.argus.bm.However, in this article we provide a number of helpful tips to make your 2011 hurricane season planning a little easier.We are all likely to follow some of the suggested measures as part of our everyday routine, such as keeping cell phones fully charged and regularly topping up our vehicles with gas. Other precautions require a bit more effort but are worthwhile once you know a storm is approaching, such as ensuring that barbecues, garbage cans and lawn furniture are secured or brought inside. If you own a boat, check that the moorings are secure. Avoid using nylon rope as it can be easily rubbed through. Do not go out to secure or check your vessel while the eye of the hurricane is passing over.You should also close your shutters and blinds or board up windows if you can. If not, applying masking tape in “X”s on your windows can stop the glass from shattering in the middle of a storm. Filling bathtubs and buckets with water is a good idea so that you can continue to flush toilets if electricity is lost.There are many items that should be on your shopping list before a hurricane approaches, which will be vital once the storm has passed and you are without power. These include flashlights with spare batteries and bulbs, candles, matches, fire extinguishers, portable radios with batteries, sturdy household gloves and large trash bags. You should also stock up on drinking water, canned goods, non-perishable foods and a manual can opener. It is also a good idea to fill your cooler with ice so you can keep refrigerator and freezer items cold. Make sure you also have adequate supplies of any prescription drugs that you or someone in your household may be taking.If you know a hurricane will pass close to the Island, locate your family and friends. Bring in your pets in advance of the storm. Park your car away from large trees to reduce the risk of damage, return home and unplug electrical appliances. Then sit tight to ride out the storm. Use the opportunity to spend quality time with your family.Finally, we highly recommend that your insurance policies for home and contents, as well as any policies for boat insurance, are up to date and that premiums are paid. If the worst happens, you can relax knowing that you are covered for any damage. It is also a very good idea to ensure that that your business insurance policies are up-to-date and the premiums are paid.n John Doherty is Vice President of Property and Casualty at the Argus Group. John is a Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter and holds an Associate in Risk Management, an Associate in Reinsurance and several certificates and diplomas in general insurance.