Hurricane Preparation: Tips for a Safer Season
Hurricane season is upon us, so now is the time to prepare for inclement weather. You do not want to wait until the storm is at your doorstep to take the proper precautions, and being caught unaware could put you at severe risk of death or injury.
When it comes to hurricane safety, preparation is your best defense. Have your evacuation kit packed and ready and a plan in knowing where local resources can be found. This will help you protect yourself, your home, and your family when the storm finally does blow through town.
There are many things you must have to prepare for hurricane season. Whether hurricanes are common where you live or a rare occurrence, having your supplies at the ready will give you peace of mind, and the kit you prepare today just might save your life should the worst happen.
Here are some of the essentials your hurricane preparedness kit should contain:
• Food – You should have at least three days’ worth of non-perishable food items stockpiled in your home.
• A battery-powered or hand-cranked radio – Information is key during a hurricane, and your radio will be your lifeline to local authorities. Be sure your radio contains not only AM and FM bands but a NOAAA weather band with a tone alert as well.
• A fully-stocked first aid kit.
• Medications – including a supply of prescription medications and over-the-counter remedies.
• A flashlight with a supply of extra batteries.
• A whistle so you can signal for help in an emergency.
• A dust mask to help filter contaminants from the air.
• Plastic sheeting and duct tape so you can shelter in place.
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags, and plastic ties for a personal sanitation kit – if the power goes out, your indoor plumbing goes with it, so it pays to be prepared.
• A wrench of pliers for turning off utilities.
• A manual can opener for opening cans of non-perishable foods.
• Local maps, including directions to local shelters and other resources – you may not be able to rely on electronic maps and smartphone mapping apps in an emergency, so print or purchase your maps now and keep them in a safe place.
• A cell phone with extra chargers, an inverter or solar-powered charger – landlines can be unreliable during a hurricane, so your cell phone could be your only lifeline, and you need to make sure it is fully charged.
• Food for your pets, as well as leashes, crates, and medications.
You cannot control the weather, but you can control your preparedness for it. Now that hurricane season is on its way, it is time to prepare your home and family. Having a sufficient food stock, a supply of flashlights with extra batteries, and having access to a radio with a weather band will all help you prepare for the worst, even if the storm simply passes by. The last thing you want is for the hurricane to take you by surprise, leaving you stranded in a house without food, power, or the ability to call for help. By preparing for the storm now, you can relax later, keeping an eye on the sky but knowing that your family is truly prepared for the worst Mother Nature can send your way.
