Hurricane Prep 2025: Items You Should Never Leave Outside
Florida summers bring all the good stuff: beach days, long weekends, backyard BBQs… and, of course, hurricane season.
While everyone rushes to stock up on batteries and water, one crucial thing often gets overlooked: what you leave outside.
We’ve seen it all — pool umbrellas flying into neighbors’ yards, patio furniture ending up in the canal, and trash bins blocking emergency routes.
Ready to stay ahead this year? Here’s your guide to what should never be left outside, plus a full breakdown on what to do before, during, and after a storm.
Why it matters
When winds hit 75+ mph, anything unsecured can turn into a dangerous projectile. It’s about protecting your home — and keeping your neighbors, community, and first responders safe.
Items You Should Never Leave Outside
✅ Outdoor furniture & decor
Patio chairs, tables, cushions, umbrellas, planters, and yard statues can all go airborne. Stack or tie them down inside a garage or bring them indoors.
✅ Trash bins & recycling cans
They’re lightweight and easy to blow over. Move them into the garage or a secure storage area before the winds pick up.
✅ Potted plants & hanging baskets
These can tip, break, and turn into flying hazards. Bring them inside or tuck them in a sheltered spot.
✅ Grills & smokers
Even heavy grills can roll or tip. Move them into a garage or tie them securely to a sturdy structure.
✅ Pool toys & floats
They’re among the first things to fly away. Store them inside and double-check pool covers.
✅ Yard tools & small equipment
Hoses, gardening tools, and toys should be stored securely. Don’t forget about lawn decor and garden stakes.
What to Do Before the Storm
🌀 Clear clutter early.
Start with old furniture, broken equipment, or leftover construction debris that’s been hanging around.
🌀 Inspect and trim trees.
Remove dead branches and trim back anything close to the house or power lines.
🌀 Secure or remove vulnerable items.
Check fences, sheds, and patio covers — reinforce or store as needed.
🌀 Check drainage.
Clean gutters, downspouts, and yard drains to avoid flooding and pooling.
🌀 Book removals or dumpsters early.
Don’t wait until the last minute. Schedule junk hauling or dumpster rentals before the forecast shifts.
What to Do During the Storm (When You Know It’s Coming)
⚠️ Bring everything in.
Anything that can move, fly, or float needs to come inside — even small potted plants.
⚠️ Secure heavy items.
For grills or heavy furniture that can’t be moved, tie them down with strong straps.
⚠️ Shut and lock everything.
Close garage doors, windows, and gates.
⚠️ Double-check flood-prone areas.
Move items off the ground in garages or sheds if you expect flooding.
What to Do After the Storm
✅ Do a careful walk-through.
Check for downed power lines, broken glass, and other hazards before stepping outside.
✅ Document damage.
Take photos before you start cleaning for insurance purposes.
✅ Clear lightweight debris first.
Pick up small items to prevent them from clogging drains and causing more flooding.
✅ Schedule professional removal for larger items.
Branches, large debris piles, or heavy junk may need grapple trucks or hauling crews.
✅ Check on neighbors.
If you’re able, lend a hand or share resources.
Where TrashHelp Can Step In
Sometimes prepping for a storm uncovers more than you expected — that old patio set you meant to toss last year, the pile of broken fence posts from a past storm, or the leftover renovation scraps stacked behind the shed.
That’s exactly where we come in.
✔️ Dumpster rentals before the storm — Need to finally clear out old furniture, yard clutter, or half-finished DIY project materials? We’ll drop off a dumpster so you can clear everything at your own pace before winds pick up.
✔️ On-call junk removal — Found a pile you don’t want to handle alone? We’ll come out and haul away everything — old grills, patio furniture, yard decor, heavy pots — all the things you don’t want sitting around when a storm hits.
✔️ Grapple truck services after the storm — When branches are down, fences are splintered, or large debris is scattered across your yard, we’ll handle big, heavy loads quickly so you can focus on other repairs.
✔️ Emergency support for businesses and HOAs — From downed signage and storm-damaged outdoor setups to urgent debris piles blocking entryways, we’re ready to respond fast and help you reopen safely.
✔️ Assistance for property managers and realtors — Clean up unexpected debris at tenant properties or listings to keep everything safe and presentable, even after heavy winds or surprise storms.
We help homeowners, HOAs, property managers, and businesses across Palm Beach County, South Florida, Central Florida, and the Gulf Coast stay safe and storm-ready — before, during, and after hurricane season.
Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late
Storm prep isn’t just a to-do list item — it’s a way to protect your family, your neighbors, and your peace of mind.
Need help clearing the way before the next big storm? We’re here.
📞 Call or text us at (561) 316-8668
