Hurricane Season Safety Lessons
With Hurricane Ida poised to hit Louisiana in the next couple of days, perhaps it’s appropriate to talk about hurricane preparedness.
With meteorologists forecasting a very active hurricane season, you may want to learn how to best prepare for an oncoming storm. It’s not just the folks on the coast that need to be prepared but also those inland where they may experience heavy rain, possible flooding, and electric outages.
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Here are tips from Geico, the National Hurricane Center and the Insurance Information Institute:
Hurricane Preparedness
- Learn your evacuation zone and have an evacuation plan. Determine escape routes and places where your family can meet.
- Know your home’s vulnerability to storm surge, flooding and wind.
- Locate a safe room in your home or the safest area in your community.
- Have an out-of-state friend as a family contact.
- Plan what to do with your pets if you need to evacuate.
- Post emergency telephone numbers by your phones. Teach your children how to call 911.
- Check your insurance coverage; flood damage is not usually covered by homeowners insurance.
- Trim trees to remove un-healthy or dead limbs or branches.
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Emergencies and disasters can happen anytime, anywhere without warning. Protect yourself and your family and get prepared now! Click to see these valuable emergency preparedness supplies.
The Hurricane Preparedness Handbook:
Don’t wait until it’s too late. Prepare now!
We’ve all seen the ruin that a hurricane can bring. No one can stop a hurricane, but proper preparation can limit damage, protect long-term finances, and even save lives. The Hurricane Preparedness Handbook is an invaluable, step-by-step guide for everyone who lives in a region threatened by these terrifying storms.
Emergency Supplies
Perhaps the most important is water to prevent dehydration so every possible container must be used including the bathtub.- Water-one gallon daily per person for three to seven days
- Food – enough for three to seven days
- Nonperishable packaged or canned food/juices-foods for infants or the elderly
- Nonelectric can opener
- Cooking tools/fuel
- Paper plates/plastic utensils
- blankets/pillows, etc.
- clothing-seasonal/rain gear/ sturdy shoes
- Another critical item that must never be forgotten is a medical kit. This should have bandages and some antibiotics to be able to treat anyone who is ill or injured until the person can be brought out to a medical facility for better treatment.
- First-aid kit/medicines/prescription drugs
- special items for babies and the elderly
- toiletries/hygiene items/moisture wipes
- Expect loss of power: You’ll want good flashlights and spare batteries
- Battery operated radio and National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather radio. Replace the batteries every six months.
- Spare cash – banks and ATMs may not be open for extended periods.
keys- photographs
- computer hard drive or laptop
- toys, books and games
- important documents-in a waterproof container including insurance, medical records, bank account numbers, etc.
- tools-keep a set with you during the storm
- vehicle fuel tanks filled
- pet care items
- proper identification/immunization records/medications
- food and water
- a carrier or cage
- muzzle and leash
Added Preparedness
- Take first-aid, CPR and disaster preparedness classes through a local CERT.
- If you have a ham radio, you can monitor the Hurricane Watch Net at 7.268 Mhz. or 14.325 Mhz.
- Check with The National Hurricane Center for the latest on any storms.
A Survivor’s Guide to Emergency Preparedness:
How to Prepare for Hurricanes, Power Outages, Nor’easters, and Other Storm-related Emergencies
When a storm emergency threatens, it may already be too late. A storm that threatens your life, your property, and your state of mind does irreparable damage to your soul. How you prepare for a storm emergency – especially a hurricane – determines how well you survive. This book covers many check lists for individuals, families and for our beloved pets and is a must have for hurricane season.
