Whether you live in an area that's prone to hurricanes or you're traveling to tropical destinations, it's important to know where is the safest place to be during a hurricane. Taking the necessary precautions can make all the difference in how safe you are and how much damage your home is able to withstand.

The first and most important thing you should do is follow evacuation instructions. If a hurricane is forecasted to pass near your area, it's best to leave as soon as possible.

If you choose to stay at home, the safest place to be is in an interior room on the main floor of your house. Keep a radio tuned to local emergency updates so that you can hear when it's safe to go outside again.

You should also listen to the news and watch NOAA's weather channel to determine when it's safe to leave your house again. It can take up to an hour or two for the eye of a hurricane to pass over your location.

During this time, wind speeds are generally light and the winds will slow or stop completely. This lull is often called "the calm eye" of the storm and is a great opportunity to get inside.

If you're not able to evacuate, the safest place to be is underground or in an interior room away from windows. If the water rises quickly or you see a tornado warning, seek higher ground and avoid downed power lines.