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Hurricane Safety and Preparedness

Develop a Family Safety Plan
Disaster Kit and Hurricane Supplies
Secure your Home
Evacuation Plans
Have a Pet Plan

The major factor in getting through a hurricane safely is being prepared for it. You should not leave things to the last minute, but plan for all possible situations.

Your preparations for a hurricane should include:

A safety plan for your family
Hurricane supplies and emergency
Securing your home
A place to go if you have to evacuate
A plan for pets

Develop a Family Safety Plan

Basically, a safety plan is a list of what to do and where to go during an emergency. You should create your plan at the start of the hurricane season and discuss it with your family in order to be ready for any hurricane. If you wait until a hurricane is an actual threat to your area, then you are putting your family in unnecessary risk.

Your hurricane preparedness plan should list the supplies you need to comfortably get you through the hurricane and any after effects. It should detail the things you need to do to secure your home and property. The nearest shelters, their location and contact numbers, along with evacuation routes should be detailed in your list so you have this information when you really need it. Emergency numbers, insurance company contact information, and numbers for family, friends, and coworkers should be listed also.

Developing a hurricane safety plan and discussing it with your family will help you keep calm and be prepared during the dangers of a hurricane. Have an out-of-state family member or a friend to inform and contact in regards to your status before and after a hurricane.

Disaster Kit and Hurricane Supplies Checklist

You should have certain items on hand to make you as safe and comfortable as possible in your home or when you evacuate.

Important papers, in waterproof container
- Important telephone numbers
- Photo identification (driver’s license, passport)
- Insurance documents
- Medical records and copies of prescriptions
- Proof of residence (utility bill)
- Current bills and credit card information
- Bank account numbers
- Backup disks of valuable computer information
Water
- At least 1 gallon daily per person for 5 days
- Ice
- Water purification tablets (halazone)
Food
- Non-perishable foods that do not need cooking
  - Canned meats and fish
  - Canned fruits and vegetables
  - Canned soups and puddings
  - Canned juices
  - Dried fruits
  - Dried cereals
  - Bread, cookies, cracker and chips
  - Peanut butter and jelly
  - Instant coffee and tea
- Foods for babies and the elderly
- Foods for pets
- Manual can opener
- Cooking tools and fuel
- Paper plates and cups, plastic utensils
- Paper towels
- Garbage bags
Medicines and prescription drugs (refill them before hurricane)
First Aid Kit
- First aid manual
- Adhesive bandages (assorted sizes)
- Sterile gauze pads (3”)
- Adhesive cloth tape (5 yds/1”)
- Roller bandage (3”)
- Antibiotic ointment for cuts
- Antiseptic wipe packets
- Hydrogen peroxide for cleaning wounds
- Rubbing alcohol
- Iodine
- Scissors and tweezers
- Non-latex gloves (size large)
- Packets of aspirin
- Packets of antacid tablets
Emergency cash (banks and ATMs may be closed after a hurricane)
Vehicle fuel tanks filled
Flashlights for each family member and extra batteries
Radio and extra batteries
Cell phone with batteries recharged and auto adapter
Disposable camera for documenting damage
Blankets and pillows
Clothing and sturdy shoes
Rain gear
Toiletries
- Hygiene items
- Moisture wipes
- Toilet paper
Special needs items for babies and the elderly family members
Entertainment items
- Videos and DVDs (for use while you have power)
- Games and toys
- Books and magazines
- Paper and pencils
Useful tools
- Sheets of plywood
- Lantern
- Camp stove with extra fuel
- Ice chests
- Large heavy garbage bags
- Gloves
- Mosquito repellent
- Bucket, mop, broom, scrub brush
- All purpose cleaner
- Razor knife
- Hammer and nails
- Screwdrivers and screws
- Pliers and wrenches
- Crowbar
- Handsaw, chain saw, and/or ax
- Tree pruner
- Shovel, rake, wheelbarrow
- Tarps and drop cloths
- Rope and wire
- Duct tape
- Non-electric clock
- Fire extinguisher (ABC type)
- Ladder
- Portable generator
Pet items
- Proper identification and immunization records
- Medication
- Food and water
- Carrier or cage
- Muzzle and leash

Secure Your Home for the Storm - A Preparedness Checklist

Your hurricane safety plan must include the things you have to do to protect and secure your home against the storm. Do everything you can to minimize the danger to your family and damage to your house.

Outside of house:

Keep trees and shrubs trimmed
Remove loose branches
Clean out gutters and downspouts
Clear the yard of lawn furniture, potted plants, trash cans, bicycles, and any items that can become windborne
Secure windows and glass doors by using shutters or installing plywood
Brace garage doors
Leave swimming pools filled and add extra chlorine
Secure trailed boats
Fill vehicle fuel tanks

Inside of building:

Locate water valves, gas valves, and main electric breaker. Have instructions on how to turn off electricity, gas and water if authorities advise you to do so. (Remember, you'll need a professional to turn them back on.)
Unplug all but essential appliances and electrical equipment.
Turn refrigerator and freezer to coldest setting.
Secure and waterproof you home office. Back up computer files on disks.
Store important documents, valuables, and disks in waterproof containers and store high out of floodwater’s reach.
Stock up on needed supplies.
Stay indoors, away from windows.
Locate a safe room in the center of your home, without windows, such as a bathroom or closet.

Evacuation Plans

An alternate place to stay is an essential part of your safety plan. Know where you need to go before you have to evacuate your home, whether a shelter or the home of a friend.

It is better to leave before an evacuation order is issued. But if your area is ordered to evacuate, do not delay leaving. A small delay could get you stuck in traffic or stranded without a way out of a flooded area. You do not want to ride out a hurricane in a stuck vehicle.

With more people living in Florida, the number of residents who need to evacuate during hurricanes has increased. The large number of evacuees will cause massive delays and congestion along the evacuation routes, extending travel times to places of safety.

In planning for an evacuation:

Notify a family member outside of your area about your plans
Decide on place to stay
- Family? Friends? Shelter? Hotel? Confirm reservations!
- Have a list of the evacuation shelters, their locations and contact numbers
Know your evacuation zones and routes!
- Be very aware of flooding and evacuate before escape routes are cut off
Have your vehicle fuel tanks full
Take your important papers and identification in waterproof container
Take your shelter supplies
- Blankets, pillows, sleeping bags
- Change of clothes and sturdy shoes
- Personal toiletries
- Medications
- Nonperishable food and bottled water (2 quarts/person/day)
- Special items and dietary foods for babies and elderly family members
- Flashlights and extra batteries
- Battery-operated radio with extra batteries
- Books, cards, toys for your children
- A carrying container for all your items
Remember, alcoholic beverages, pets and weapons are prohibited within emergency public shelters
Make alternate plans for pets

Have a Pet Plan to Keep Your Pets Safe

Hurricane emergency centers cannot accept pets, and it impossible to find shelter for your animals in the middle of a hurricane. Leaving your pet in a secure room with a supply of food and water will not ensure its safety. So you must make alternate plans for them early. Plan ahead, make arrangements, and confirm them.

Leaving your pet with relatives or friends who live out of harm’s way is ideal. Otherwise, boarding your pet is usually the safest solution for them. Contact your veterinarian, boarding kennel, or animal control shelter to make arrangements. Pet shelters fill up on first come, first served basis, so call ahead and find out about availability. Do not wait until the last moment.

If you plan to go to a hotel, find out if they allow pets. Some will accept them for an additional fee. Hotels fill up quickly during hurricanes, so plan ahead.

Make sure your dog or cat wears a collar that is securely fastened and with current identification. Make sure your pet’s vaccinations are up to date. Keep a current photo of your pet with you for identification purposes in case your pet gets lost.

Pet supply kit:

Proper identification and immunization records
Collar and up-to-date rabies tag
Muzzle and leash
Medication
Specific care instructions
Ample supply of food, water, and bowls
Carrier or cage
Cat litter pan
Newspapers or trash bags for cleanup
Familiar toy and portable bedding