Fl Risk Blog

COVER YOUR WINDOWS- Protecting your windows is perhaps one of the most important factors in securing your home or office from total destruction in a hurricane or severe storm. Make sure all doors and windows are propertly caulked and/or  weather stripped. Replace gravel/rock landscaping material with fire treated, shredded bark to reduce damage. Cover all windows and glass doors with securely fastened, impact-resistant shutters or other approved window protection systems with proper mounting fixtures or replace them with impact resistant laminated window and door systems, if feasible.

BRACE YOUR ENTRY & GARAGE DOORS- Entry doors are easily damaged by high winds. Bolt all doors with foot and head bolts with a minimum one inch bolt throw length.

Garage doors should be able to withstand hurricane wind loads and the impact of flying debris. If yours does not, replace with a hurricane resistant one. Approximately 80% of residential hurricane wind damage starts with wind entry through garage doors.

ANCHOR YOUR ROOF-If your roof was build before 1994 and is gabled, brace all gable-end framing and horizontal and vertical beams. Also, make sure that there is wood sheathing (planks or plywood) behind the stucco of the triangular gable end walls.

• Proper ID collar and rabies tag/license
• Vaccination paperwork
• Carrier or cage
• leash
• Ample food supply
• Water
• Water/food bowls
• meds
• specific care instructions
• newspaper,cat litter, scoop, plastic trash bags
• Proper ID on all belonings
• Photo of you and your pet
• A comfort item such as a facorite toy or blanket
• non electric can opener

*Make sure your pets have had all their shors within the past 12 months. Pet friendly shelters and boarding facilities will require proof of vaccinations.

Guaranteed minimum death benefits—5%

Surrender charge waivers—3%

Survivor benefit riders—2%

Microloans: Small, short-term loans of up to $35,000 to help startups. The loans are made through nonprofit organizations. A list of the intermediaries is on the SBA Web site.

Export Working Capital Program: For businesses that need assistance with export sales. THe SPA guarantees a portion of the loan.

Express loans: the SPA Express, Community Express, Export Express and Patriot Express loan programs provide a streamline approval process and are made by private lenders with an SBA guarantee.

CDC/504: A nonprofit certified development company may use the 504 program to finance fixed assets. A 504 project usually includes a loan from a private lender, a loan secured by the CDC with an SBA guarantee and 10% from the borrower.

Here are some of the funding avenues available to small businesses. The Small Business Administration in most cases works with provate lenders or certified development companies that follow SBA guidelines.