"June, too soon." So goes the common wisdom on hurricanes -- in England! But in these waters, matey, May is the month to make sure you and your family are prepared for rough weather. In fact, May 23 - 29 is National Hurricane Preparedness Week.
The first step is to know the type of hazards that could affect your location. Determine your home's vulnerability to storm surge, flooding, and wind. Once you know what effects you might face, figure out the safest area in your home for each potential hazard or an alternative refuge elsewhere in your community.
If it seems nowhere is safe enough in your immediate vicinity, you need to determine escape routes from your home to someplace that will be. The routes should be measured in tens of miles rather than hundreds of miles.
An out-of-state friend or relative can serve as a family contact, so all your family members have a single point of contact to share information about location and safety. That number should be the first one saved in every family member's mobile phone.
Make a plan now for what to do with your pets if you need to evacuate. And if you'll be seeking shelter in a public site, be sure you know what their rules are regarding pets.
Post emergency telephone numbers by your phones and make sure your children know how and when to call 911.
Stock at least three days of non-perishable emergency supplies for each person. This includes a gallon of water to drink and another gallon for hygienic use and cooking each day. Food items can include:
- ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits and vegetables;
- canned juice, milk and soup;
- peanut butter, granola bars, trail mix;
- powdered coffee or tea;
- dried fruits and nuts; bread and crackers;
- sugar, salt and pepper;
- cookies, hard candy, lollipops.
Along with your food supply, it is necessary to collect all the items that are necessary for food storage, cooking, eating, and cleaning. Make sure to have can openers!
Don't forget special food for babies or folks on special diets, as well as vitamins and medications. Pet food is important if you have pets.
Remember to replace your food and water supplies every six months to ensure freshness. A good way to remember when to replace your foods is by doing so at the same time when you change your clocks for Daylight Savings.
Have a well-stocked Disaster Supply Kit with the following:
- Battery-powered radio or television;
- Flashlight(s);
- Extra batteries for radio, television, and flashlights;
- First Aid Kit and first aid manual ;
- 3 changes of clothing and sturdy pairs of shoes for each person in the household;
- 3 Pillows and 3 blankets/sleeping bags for each person in the household;
- Feminine supplies, if necessary;
- Diapers, if necessary;
- Fire extinguisher;
- Manual can openers;
- Disinfectant;
- Household bleach;
- Credit card and cash;
- Personal identification;
- An extra set of car keys;
- Matches or lighter in a waterproof container;
- Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities (household gas and water) and other hand tools;
- Whistle or signal flare to signal for help;
- Map of your local area.
Get a NOAA weather radio. Remember to replace its battery every 6 months, as you do with your smoke detectors.
Check your insurance coverage -- flood damage is not usually covered by homeowners' insurance. A good home inventory can be invaluable for insurance purposes, if disaster hits.
Take First Aid, CPR and disaster preparedness classes.
Get a cash reserve in case debit and credit cards are not useable.
Once all of your family's physical safety needs are covered, remember to safeguard all of your most important papers and records. A portable, self-contained binder like the AYS Vital Documents Storage System means that, if you are forced to evacuate with short notice, you can easily take all your important documents with you-from your insurance records and identification papers like your birth certificate to bank and credit card account numbers, even your personal contacts. Just grab it and go!
Of course all of this is just the minimum. For help making your disaster plan and for additional advice and information check out the Florida Division of Emergency Management at http://www.floridadisaster.org/ and the National Weather Service at http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/HAW2/english/disaster_prevention.shtml
Remember - Being prepared gives you the best chance of handling any emergency.
[This article is reprinted from the June 2010 issue of AYS Says...]
