Hurricane Season is upon us, Be Prepared!!

Gather enough emergency supplies to meet your needs for at least three days. Store these supplies in sturdy, easy to carry, water resistant containers. It’s also a good idea to keep a smaller kit in the trunk of your car. Your disaster supplies kit should include:

• A three-day supply of water (one gallon per person per day) and ready-to-eat canned goods, such as tuna fish, peanut butter, crackers, canned fruit, juice boxes, etc. Please remember that you want to replace stored water and food every six months.
• A manual (non electric) can opener .
• Copies of important documents, including birth certificates, insurance policies and social security cards. Your original documents should be secured in a locked box or safety deposit box.
• Comfortable clothing and footwear.
• One blanket or sleeping bag per person.
• A first aid kit, including prescription medicines.
• Emergency tools, including tools to turn off utilities.
• An extra set of car keys.
• Cash/Credit Cards.
• Special items for infant, elderly or disabled family members.
• An extra pair of glasses or contact lenses.

Checklist for Inside the Home

• Stock up on nonperishable food, medicine, baby supplies, and pet food.
• Check emergency equipment, such as flashlights, battery-operated radios, extension cords, emergency generators, etc., and buy extra batteries.
• Keep extra cash on hand, since an electrical power outage may prevent you from withdrawing money from automatic teller machines or banks.
• Make provisions for food and water for your pet at home if you must evacuate. Pets are not allowed in shelters.
• Turn your refrigerator to its coldest setting. If the power goes out, this will keep food fresh longer. If you leave the refrigerator closed, most food will stay frozen or fresh for up to 12 hours.
• Turn off and unplug any unnecessary electrical equipment--especially sensitive electronics.
• Keep first aid kit and manual handy.
• Have non electric can opener on hand.
• Place your critical documents, such as birth certificates, insurance documents, special pictures, etc. in a safe box.
• Have Disaster Supplies Kit ready in case of evacuation.

Checklist for Outside the Home

• Pick a day in June to conduct a home hazard hunt and perimeter search, in which you inspect your home for items that can move, fall, break or cause a fire.
• Make trees more wind resistant by removing diseased and damaged limbs. Once a hurricane warning is announced, trash pickup is suspended.
• Install hurricane or high-wind shutters on your windows or pre-cut plywood to cover windows and glass doors
• Strengthen garage doors and un-reinforced masonry.
• Move or secure lawn furniture, outdoor decorations or ornaments, trash cans, hanging plants and anything else that can be picked up by wind.
• If you plan to lower your TV antenna, do it well before storm winds arrive. Look around to identify power lines and stay clear.
• If you have a swimming pool, turn off all pumps and filters and wrap them in waterproof materials. Water from the storm may otherwise damage them.
• Check for loose rain gutters and downspouts.
• Fill your vehicle's fuel tank.