Safety Tips:
1. First, get important papers and special photos in order and secured in plastic. Identification is difficult and time-consuming to replace: so be sure to include social security cards, birth certificates, high school diplomas or GED certificates, titles or deeds to property, as well as your hurricane insurance policy.
2. Take video or photos of your property before you leave. This will help later on with any insurance checklist claims for damage.
3. If you can't stay with friends or relatives, consider booking a room in a hotel or motel in another nearby town or state.
4. Keep in mind to try and find alternate housing like pet-friendly hotels and motels or dog boarding kennels in areas out of the path of the storm.
5. Designate a spot, in the hall closet, to keep a bag of clothes for each person in the household. Make sure to include sleeping gear if you plan on going to a temporary shelter.
6. Make sure you have plenty of cash on hand in case your area loses power, causing ATM machines and banks to close down as well.
7. If there is no power for TV's or computer's, remember board games or a deck of cards come in handy! Arts and crafts, crayons and downloadable coloring pages are always great distractions for the kids.
8. Stay downwind in your home, if the wind is hitting the living room windows, go to the room opposite the living room.
9. Boarding up windows that will take the brunt of the wind and rain is a wise decision. If board is not available, protect your windows from the wind by criss-crossing them with layers of duct or packing tape.
10. Finally, STAY INSIDE.
For more information visit www.ready.gov for the latest hurricane news and preparedness tips from FEMA.
Emergency Supply Kit items to pack:
• Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio with tone alert
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Whistle to signal for help
• Dust mask, to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
• Local maps
• Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger
• Prescription medications and glasses
• Baby diapers
• Pet food and extra water for your pet
• Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person.
• Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper – When diluted nine parts water to one part bleach, bleach can be used as a disinfectant. Or in an emergency, you can use it to treat water by using 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water. Do not use scented, color safe or bleaches with added cleaners.
• Fire Extinguisher
• Matches in a waterproof container
• Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
• Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils, paper towels
• Paper and pencil
Food Choices to include in kit:
• Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits and vegetables
• Protein or fruit bars
• Dry cereal or granola
• Peanut butter & jelly
• Dried fruit
• Nuts
• Crackers
• Canned juices
• Non-perishable pasteurized milk
• High energy foods
• Vitamins
• Formula/Food for infants
Create a Disaster Plan:
Learn important tips and information on how to create a disaster plan for your family.
