If you live in an area where hurricanes are frequent, boarding up your windows is a must. Not only will it protect your home from the storm's wrath, but it'll also ensure your family's safety and comfort.

The time to board up is before a hurricane hits. Plywood is the material of choice, and it's readily available at most home improvement stores. It's also 30% more impact-resistant than oriental strand board (OSB).

Measure and cut out the plywood sheets using a circular saw, which is best for this project as it can handle the heavier wood. Once the sheets are cut to size, label them to ensure you can reuse them for future storms.

Before you begin, make sure you're wearing proper safety equipment, such as ear protection, eyeglasses and gloves. Once you have the sheets cut out, begin with one window at a time and secure it with screws.

Installing storm shutters is another option for preparing your windows, but it's costly and requires a lot of time to get ready. Some people prefer to leave their windows open, letting the wind blow in but not allowing it to break their glass into tiny shards.

Nailing pieces of plywood to your windows can be an inexpensive solution, but it won't prevent damage as a hurricane is still likely to shatter the glass. It will, however, minimize the amount of damage you have to deal with in the event of a breakage.