HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS

HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS

photo courtesy of NOAA

   Hurricane season is upon us once again.  Here are a few tips to help you prepare to take care of your family:

• Keep cash on hand.  During power outages, ATMs and cash registers may not be working.  It is a good idea to have cash on hand to buy emergency items.$100.00 is a good start.
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• Monitor your routine medications.  Refill your routine meds at least a week ahead of schedule since you may not be able to refill them in the event of a storm.
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• fill at least a 33 gallon trash can with water to use for sponge baths, to help flush toilets, etc.
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• keep a loaf of bread and a package of tortillas in the freezer.  supplies disappear at the stores quickly
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• stock up on canned goods such as tuna fish, spam, crackers, peanut butter, etc. that can be eaten without cooking.
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• stock up on bottled water.  I like to have 2 - 3 cases on the floor at all times during hurricane season.
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• stock up on flashlight batteries.  I also like to have a hurricane lamp or two available.
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• keep your cell phone charged
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• clean up around the outside of your house.  If there is a chance of a hurricane, you don't want anything out there that could become a missile. You also don't want to wait for the hurricane warnings to begin this preparation.
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• group your important papers together in a water tight box:  insurance papers, birth certificates, animal records, etc.
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• make sure your coolers are cleaned and ready for use
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• make sure you have batteries for your radio
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• keep your gas tank at least half full.  gasoline becomes a rationed commodity during an emergency

   Can you think of something not listed here that you do in preparation?  You are encouraged to leave a comment with your list.  We will update this list as required.

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