Tips on How to Prepare Yourself for Hurricane Season
Just recall the TexasGulfCoast evacuees during Hurricane Rita. They sat for hours in traffic with no food or water, and in some cases no gasoline, in the hot Texas sun. Learn from their mistakes and start hurricane preparations now.
First, sit down with your family and develop a hurricane preparedness plan. The plan should cover:
� Home preparation;
� family preparation; and
� evacuation preparation.
Home preparation begins before the hurricane season. If you don’t have storm shutters or something to protect windows, now is the time to buy it.
You will need to buy sheet wood and fasteners to protect window glass from flying debris.
Most people use plywood or orientated particle board. Plywood sheeting should be at least a half-inch thick. In the case of a hurricane, thicker is better.
If taken care of and installed properly, this wood should last you many years. Avoid using duct tape or masking tape, or leaving large areas uncovered. Garage doors should be reinforced from the inside.
All objects that could become airborne in high winds need to be secured properly.
It is your responsibility to make sure you and your family are taken care of before, during and after the storm.
Law enforcement and emergency responders will have their hands full. To ensure that your family is properly prepared, each family member should have a personal hurricane survival kit.
This kit should include a three-day supply of non-perishable food and water, medications, changes of clothes, items for personal hygiene, a flashlight with extra batteries, a manual can opener, money, emergency contact numbers and a list of the person’s allergies and/or pre-existing medical conditions.
Additional items can be placed in a family kit, including, bug repellent, sunscreen, important papers (birth certificates, proof of residence, social security cards, homeowner’s insurance policy, windstorm insurance policy and stock certificates), family heirlooms and keepsakes, jewelry and extra sets of keys to home and cars.
It’s a good idea to put paper documents in self-sealing plastic bags.
Finally, if an evacuation is ordered, everyone in the house should know their role and responsibilities’.
Things to consider before an evacuation is ordered are: selecting a destination and evacuation route, fueling vehicles, securing cash, gathering food and water for the trip, securing family pets and making a reunion plan to cover the possibility that family members may become separated.
By taking some time now to store emergency food and water supplies, you can provide for your entire family.
Having an ample supply of clean water is a top priority in an emergency.
A normally active person needs to drink at least two quarts of water each day.
Hot environments can double that amount.
Children, nursing mothers and ill people will need even more.
You will also need water for food preparation and hygiene.
Store a total of at least one gallon per person, per day.
You should store at least a two-week supply of water for each member of your family.
If supplies run low, never ration water.
Drink the amount you need today, and try to find more for tomorrow.
You can minimize the amount of water your body needs by reducing activity and staying cool.
Water supplies:
How to store water
Store your water in thoroughly washed plastic, glass, fiberglass or enamel-lined metal containers.
Never use a container that has held toxic substances.
Plastic containers, such as soft drink bottles, are best.
You can also purchase food-grade plastic buckets or drums.
Seal water containers tightly, label them and store in a cool, dark place.
Rotate water every six months.
Emergency outdoor
water sources
If you need to find water outside your home, you can use these sources.
Be sure to treat the water before drinking it.
� Rainwater
� Streams, rivers and other moving bodies of water
� Ponds and lakes
� Natural springs
Avoid water with floating material, an odor or dark color.
Only use saltwater if you distill it first.
You should not drink flood water.
You can never be too prepared for an emergency situation so, keep you and your family safe this hurricane season. If you are on any of the coast lines, start preparing yourself now. You’ll be glad you did!
