Being prepared for a hurricane can save your life. Checklist of necessary supplies and safe room advice.
WHAT MAKES A GOOD SAFE ROOM?If you are going to stay in your home during a storm, you must secure your home’s vulnerable areas, like windows, garage doors and the roof system. Check out We’ve got you covered. Review our HOME SAFE HOME section.
If you decide to stay in your home during a hurricane, it is crucial that you have a safe place to go, so you need to decide in advance where in your home your will ride out the storm. In structures such as your home, examine the building structure, keeping in mind strong winds can produce deadly missiles, falling trees, and structural failure. Choose a location that will protect you from these dangers like a large interior closet, a bathroom or hallway with no windows. Your safe room should have enough space for everyone and have a quick way out if necessary.
Make your intended safe room as comfortable as possible. A slow moving storm will mean a long wait of many hours. Your safe room should include your disaster supplies kit; a battery powered flashlight, TV or radio, and a lot of extra batteries. Remember this room is your last line of defense in a hurricane.
It is also a good idea to have a mattress nearby to pull over you should some of the structure begin to fall in on you.
Do not leave the safe room until you get an all’s clear from the news.
HURRICANE SUPPLIES TO STOCK UP ON• Water, Water, Water! Recommendations are at least 7 gallons per person. Many hurricane veterans from last season wished they had stocked more.
• Non-perishable foods. And don’t forget the manual can opener.
• Baby food and formula.
• Pet food and supplies.
• An ice chest and empty plastic jugs. Fill ice chest with extra ice. Fill jugs with water, freeze, and store inside your refrigerator and freezer. They will help retain the coolness longer, should the power go out.
• All different size batteries. Some machines go through them faster than others. Be prepared.
• Batter operated radios or TVs.
• Flashlights, battery operated lanterns.
• Water proof matches.
• Paper towels, toilet tissue, facial tissue, baby wipes, sanitary napkins, diapers, paper plates, paper cups, plastic knives and forks.
• First Aid Kit
o First aid manual
o Adhesive bandages (assorted sizes)
o Sterile gauze pads (3”)
o Adhesive cloth tape (5 yds/1”)
o Roller bandage (3”)
o Antibiotic ointment for cuts
o Antiseptic wipe packets
o Hydrogen peroxide for cleaning wounds
o Rubbing alcohol
o Iodine
o Scissors and tweezers
o Non-latex gloves (size large)
o Packets of aspirin
o Packets of antacid tablets
• Camera and film.
• Old-type phone that connects to the wall, plus a cell phone, car charger and batteries.
• Two weeks supply of all your prescription medications.
• Emergency cash supply that you don’t touch except for real emergencies.
• Always keep as close to a full tank of gas as possible during hurricane season.
HAVE THIS STUFF ON HAND AND EASILY ACCESSIBLE • Things to keep you and the kids entertained: books, games, toys.
• Fire extinguishers
• Bug spray and sunscreen.
• Plastic baggies.
• Rain coats, hats, scarves, umbrellas.
• Plastic sheeting.
• Rope
• Tape
• Tarp
• Bleach or water purification tablets.
• Depending on your living situation, propane grill, sterno, propane gas, charcoal and lighter fluid and containers for the generator fuel.
• Disinfectants and disinfectant sprays.
