If the area in which you live is ever struck by a hurricane follow this simple advice to ensure you and your family are able to ride out the storm in as safe and stress free a way as possible.
Before the storm- If your property is situated within the evacuation zone then you should follow your local authority's instructions and evacuate to your nearest hurricane shelter. If you can possess the means to do so you may wish to stay with family or in a motel in another state. Nevertheless, even if you are leaving your home you should still pay attention to the next piece of advice. You may be moving to somewhere safe but many of your important possessions will be staying put so you should get your affairs in order.
You should get important papers and documents (such as driving licenses, birth certificates, ID cards etc.) together and secure them in plastic. In the event that your home is damaged by the storm then these documents can be costly to replace and will be an inconvenience you can do without. It may also be a good idea to secure any sentimentally valuable photographs to avoid the risk of them being damaged or lost.
Set aside a small bag of clothes for each family member in an easily accessible place in the event you need to leave your home in a hurry. Remember to also include sleeping gear if you are planning on staying in an emergency shelter.
Along with clothing you may also wish to pack: -some extra cash - it is possible that the hurricane will have knocked out power lines and ATMs will not be -working -generator -batteries -flash light -medication -battery operated radio -bottled water -non-perishable foods -canned foods -can opener -candles -if you have baby make sure to pack nappies, baby food etc. -you may also wish to pack a deck of cards or a board game to keep your family amused in the aftermath should the power have been knocked out.
One thing you are likely to need after the storm is water, for cleaning, washing and drinking. You can prepare for this beforehand by thoroughly cleaning out your bathtub, lining with plastic, and then filling with water to ensure you have a clean supply for yourself and your family.
In addition to this you need to make sure your home is protected. You need to board up all your windows as these can easily break during the storm and flying shards of glass can be very dangerous. You also need to secure anything in your garden that may blow away in hurricane force winds.
During the storm- The most important piece of advice for what to do during a hurricane is to STAY INDOORS at all times. If the eye of the storm passes over your property then there will be a short period of calm, do not be fooled by this. Make sure the hurricane has truly passed before venturing outdoors. There is no need for you to rush. In addition to this you should find a safe area of your home to ride out the storm. You want to be somewhere away from any glass windows or skylights. One side of your home should be taking the full brunt of the winds, once you determine which side this is you should move to the opposite side. You should also take care not to use any electrical appliances during this time, including your computer and phone.
If you follow this simple advice then you and your family should see through any hurricane safely.
0 comments:
Post a Comment