Be as Prepared as you can in the event of emergencies. Since the Hurricane season officially started on June 1st we hope you have had time to get your emergency kits together and come up with a plan-of-action for you and your family. Other than checking of the list below and bookmkarking the links on your portable devices all we can do now is listen to local officials, evacuate if you have to and pick up the pieces later. We wish every luck out there and BE SAFE!
Some tips My parents always stressed is to fill as many lidded containers that you can with water, clean and bleach out your tub and fill with water, and make sure you have hand-turned can openers (More than one these days as they seem to be made so cheap) and Finally, have a paper listing of all your emergency contacts as well as those of some of your neighbors. Check on each other after the storm.
Some websites to bookmark on your smartphone, laptop and tablet
• Official Hurricane Site with Up-to-date Information https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/
• Lafayette County Florida Emergency Management: https://www.lafayetteso.org/emergency-management.html –
• CBS – Tallahassee, Florida Weather – https://www.wctv.tv/weather/
• The National Hurricane Survival Initiative: https://hurricanesafety.org/
• American Red Cross: https://www.redcross.org/.
Your Hurricane CheckList
Food and Water
Water
Store water in plastic containers such as soft drink bottles. Avoid using containers that will decompose or break, such as milk cartons or glass bottles. A normally active person needs to drink at least two quarts of water each day. Hot environments and intense physical activity can double that amount. Children, nursing mothers, and ill people will need more.
Store one gallon of water per person per day.
Keep at least a three-day supply of water per person (two quarts for drinking, two quarts for each person in your household for food preparation/sanitation).
Food
Store at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food. Select foods that require no refrigeration, preparation or cooking, and little or no water. If you must heat food, pack a can of Sterno. Select food items that are compact and lightweight. Include a selection of the
following foods in your Disaster Supplies Kit:
Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits, and vegetables
Canned juices
Staples (salt, sugar, pepper, spices, etc.)
High energy foods
Vitamins
Food for infants
Comfort/stress foods
First Aid and Non-Prescription Drugs
First Aid Kit
Assemble a first aid kit for your home and one for each car.
(20) adhesive bandages, various sizes.
(1) 5″ x 9″ sterile dressing.
(1) conforming roller gauze bandage.
(2) triangular bandages.
(2) 3 x 3 sterile gauze pads.
(2) 4 x 4 sterile gauze pads.
(1) roll 3″ cohesive bandage.
(2) germicidal hand wipes or waterless alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
(6) antiseptic wipes.
(2) pair large medical grade non-latex gloves.
Adhesive tape, 2″ width.
Anti-bacterial ointment.
Cold pack.
Scissors (small, personal).
Tweezers.
CPR breathing barrier, such as a face shield.
Non-Prescription Drugs
Aspirin or nonaspirin pain reliever
Anti-diarrhea medication
Antacid (for stomach upset)
Laxative
Activated charcoal (use if advised by the American Association of Poison Control Centers)
Tools and Supplies
Mess kits, or paper cups, plates, and plastic utensils
Emergency preparedness manual
Battery-operated radio and extra batteries
Flashlight and extra batteries
Cash and/or change
Non-electric can opener, utility knife
Fire extinguisher: small canister ABC type
Tube tent
Pliers
Tape
Compass
Lighter or matches in a waterproof container
Aluminum foil
Plastic storage containers
Signal flare
Paper, pencil
Needles, thread
Medicine dropper
Shut-off wrench, to turn off household gas and water
Whistle
Plastic sheeting
List of local shelters
Sanitation, Clothing and Bedding
Sanitation
Hand sanitizer
Disinfectant wipes
Cloth face masks (two per person)
Toilet paper, towelettes
Soap, liquid detergent
Feminine supplies
Personal hygiene items
Plastic garbage bags, ties (for personal sanitation uses)
Plastic bucket with tight lid
Disinfectant
Household chlorine bleach
Clothing and Bedding
Include at least one complete change of clothing and footwear per person.
Sturdy shoes or work boots
Rain gear
Blankets or sleeping bags
Hat and gloves
Thermal underwear*
Sunglasses
*REMINDER: The Atlantic Hurricane Season runs through November 30, and our hurricane-vulnerable residents that live in Northern areas need to be prepared in the event of a late-season storm.
Special Items
Remember family members with special requirements, such as infants and elderly or disabled persons.
For Baby
Formula
Diapers
Bottles
Powdered milk
Medications
For Adults
Heart and high blood pressure medication
Insulin
Prescription drugs
Denture needs
Contact lenses and supplies
Extra eye glasses
Entertainment
Board games and other games that don’t require batteries or electricity, books for adult readers and for children.
For Pets
In the interest of protecting pets, the Humane Society of the United States offers these tips for inclusion in your family disaster plan:
Do not leave your pets behind.
Securely fasten a current identification tag to your pet’s collar and carry a photograph of your pet. It’s important to include the phone number of a friend or family member on the tag so anyone who may find your pet is able to reach someone who knows you.
Transport pets in secure pet carriers and keep pets on leashes or harnesses.
Call hotels in a safe/host location and ask if you can bring your pets. Ask the manager if a no-pet policy can be lifted during the disaster. Most emergency shelters do not admit pets.
Call friends, family members, veterinarians or boarding kennels in a safe/host location to arrange foster care if you and your pets cannot stay together.
Pack a week’s supply of food, water and other provisions, such as medication or cat litter.
Do not wait until the last minute to evacuate. Rescue officials may not allow you to take your pets if you need to be rescued.
Keep a list of emergency phone numbers (veterinarian, local animal control, animal shelters, Red Cross, etc.).
Possessions and Documents
Keep these records in a waterproof, portable container
Will, insurance policies, contracts, deeds, stocks and bonds
Passports, social security cards, immunization records
Bank account numbers
Credit card account numbers and companies
Inventory of valuable household goods, important telephone numbers
Family records (birth, marriage, death certificates)
Store your kit in a convenient place known to all family members. Keep a smaller version of the supplies kit in the trunk of your car.
Keep items in airtight plastic bags.
Change your stored water supply every six months so it stays fresh.
Replace your stored food every six months.
Re-think your kit and family needs at least once a year. Replace batteries, update clothes, etc.
Ask your physician or pharmacist about storing prescription medications.
Source/Reference: American Red Cross