Hurricane Preparation always a must!
After last year hurricane devastation with Hurricane Dean, Hurricane Felix and Hurricane Noel were the costliest in 2007 and were the largest and most powerful hurricanes to hit land with Category 4-5 force winds. The World Meteorological Organisation Association committee retired those names forever. This retirement of the hurricane names only occurs when the hurricane was so significant and costly to either human life or personal property.
Well it’s a nice gesture to know that such hurricane names are forever off the books. Something that is always going to be ON the books is hurricane preparedness.
June 1st marked the beginning of hurricane season and it should also be your date to go and review your emergency preparedness checklist. In the course of a year many things change in our lives. Our supply of medications both prescription and over the counter medical supplies can change drastically. Often medications that we purchased a year ago may be nearing their expiration dates. Use that supply up and rote new most current supplies for the next hurricane and disaster year.
Batteries are other emergency preparedness necessities and they can grow weak and even useless in a year depending on where you store them. Check and see how much strength I s left in them as well as stock on batteries when they are on sale so you will have all that you need during a disaster event.
The same goes for food as well. Often can food will last longer than a year still it is important to review and see when the expiration date is and refresh your supply at least yearly. With cost of food increasing significantly, it is wise to get a fresh supply and then use the former supply on a regular and normal meal preparation schedule.
You need to go through your emergency preparedness kit and check you emergency phone card to see if it is nearing expiration date. If it is then use it up so you don’t waste the minutes and then get another card to restock your supply.
I know that it may sound a bit crazy to talk about having phone cards when everyone ahs their own personal cell phones. Depending on the location you happen to be at when a hurricane disaster occurs you may not have electricity to recharge your cell phone. Even if there is electricity and electrical outlets available if you are staying at an evacuation shelter there my be a long line to use the electric plugs and that is a iffy possibility at that. Besides it is one more thing that will help you stay in communication with loved ones at a pay phone when disaster occurs. It is good to keep several rolls of change in your disaster kit as well. Hard currency never goes out of style!
Besides checking your own personal emergency preparedness kit, also check each member of the family’s kit as well as that of each of your pets. Make sure they all have the emergency preparedness necessities including copies of their rabies vaccinations etc as food, water and any medications that they may need. If at all possible keep say a 4-6 day supply of newspaper if you have a dog so if there may be a need to have a ‘paper potty’ location of the family mutt you will have a good supply. Puppy pads are very expensive so it is a good idea to have a less expensive option.
In reviewing your personal emergency preparedness plans it is also a very wise idea even with the cost of gasoline now days to go and do a dry run through your 2-3 emergency evacuation routes. Make sure you have 2 that are main routes as well as at least one that includes the back routes since often the main highways etc are jammed with others evacuating s well.
By having an alternative evacuation route(s) you may be traveling more miles but you may be using less gasoline and spending less time on the road before getting out of harms way by going a back way. Thinking outside the box can help you save time, energy and perhaps your life should the roads be excessively congested.
Make sure you have emergency evacuation directions clearly written down and in a watertight plastic bag and is is in an easy location to refer to should it would be come necessary. Keep a copy all times in your glove box of your car. By all means don’t think you will be able to rely on your memory for directions. Often in a stress filled situation things we know by heart such as important telephone numbers etc will for a short term escape instant recall. This goes for directions as well. By having everything written down it will help greatly to get you to the identified evacuation location with less strain or costly mistakes.
Last but not least I know with gasoline prices going through the roof it is difficult to even get the necessary gasoline for the vehicles. But it is a very good idea to have at lest an extra 5 gallon jug of gasoline stored safely that you can take with you to help get you out of danger’s way. Also during the hurricane season it is a good idea to keep your tank at least ¾ full at all time. With gas prices going up it will also be a way to keep the annual gas costs down a bit.
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Please share your thoughts, emergency preparedness tips and stories here on this blog.
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Be Safe – Be Prepared – Help Others!
Terrie
www.trainforahurricane.com
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