With beautiful weather visiting most of the country for summer, it’s hard to think of anything other than sunny days and happy times. However, for those who live along the coastlines and nearby areas, a more dangerous time of year is looming. Hurricane season is on the horizon.
Are you and your family ready? Is your small business or organization prepared? To be sure, check out these tips for storm readiness and included hurricane safety checklist. It will help you make the coming storm season the smoothest and safest one you’ve ever weathered.
Preparing Yourself, Your Family, and Your Structures for Hurricane Season
The best way to prepare for hurricane season is simply to understand when it happens – and what weather patterns usually include in your area. Research local weather history, how often and how badly your area is typically hit by storms, and stay on top of local weather reports during the active storm season. Your local forecast is the best way to be aware of what might be on the horizon, and education is the best way to prepare yourself for what to expect.
To prepare your structures, be sure to reinforce windows and doors and use plastic, duct tape, and plywood sheets to secure any part of your buildings you fear might not be secure enough to withstand the winds and water of the storm. Supplies are typically scarce in the days right before the storm makes landfall, so be sure to keep these items on hand so you’re ready to board up your buildings as soon as you get the weather report, rather than at the last minute like everyone else.
If you feel like your thoughts on storm season preparedness are as scattered as the seasonal weather patterns, it may be a good idea to take note of a hurricane safety kit checklist.
Your Hurricane Safety Kit Checklist
What should your hurricane safety kit checklist include?
First, begin with the essentials for each person who is being taken into account. This includes:
- A 3-day supply of fresh drinking water. (Equal to three gallons per person.)
- Shelf-stable food items
- Can openers
- Basic first aid supplies, in case of injury or illness
- Wrench and other basic tools
- Portable NOAA weather radio
- Whistle
- Flashlights
- Local maps
- Batteries for all devices
- Dust masks, sheets of plastic, and duct tape, to use as filtration for contaminated air
Other important supplies to have on hand during a storm-induced emergency include:
- Matches
- Warm blankets
- Outdoor or emergency cooking equipment
- Disposable eating utensils and vessels
- Water filtration devices
- Work gloves
- Moist towelettes, hand sanitizer, etc.
- Keys, etc.
If you have warning before an emergency, be sure to grab prescription medications, credit cards and cash, eyeglasses, personal hygiene items, baby care and pet care needs, pencils and paper, extra clothing, and a few things for young children to do or be comforted by. If you can rescue important documents, this is also a plus.
It’s easy to be overwhelmed when you’re preparing for an organization or even a family with several members. With this hurricane safety kit checklist, though, you’ll have everything you need to get ready for the safest storm season you’ve ever been through – and to make every one that comes after just as safe.
For more information on planning for a safe and smooth storm season this year – and every year that follows – talk to the experts at E & L Insurance. We have the knowledge and experience you need to prepare yourself, your family, and your business for whatever nature brings this season.