Hurricane help from Hartford HealthCare

September 30, 2015 By Hartford HealthCare

"Be Prepared" is a great motto for the Boy Scouts, but it’s important for everyone in a natural disaster — such as a hurricane. Hartford HealthCare has compiled these tips from many respected official sources.

1. Make a PLAN

Plan before you act. It will help you prepare and assure family members

• Take time before the storm hits to discuss what to do with your family and neighbors
• Find a safe space. Remember: sometimes — especially if you live on the coast or in manufactured housing — the safest space may not be your home but elsewhere in the community, such as a shelter
• Talk about escape routes: Agree on where your family will go if you leave your home — a friend’s house in another town, a hotel, a shelter
• Make a list of important phone numbers
• Make sure any children know how and when to call 911
• Think about what to do with your pets if you need to evacuate
• Check your insurance coverage — flood damage is not usually covered by homeowners’ insurance

2. SECURE your home

Take time before the storm to keep your property safe.

• Bring in anything that can be picked up by wind
  — lawn furniture
  — bicycles
  — lawn decorations
• Close windows, doors and any hurricane shutters
• Shut off any propane tanks
• If the storm is imminent, turn refrigerators and freezers to coldest setting and keep closed as much as possible so food will stay fresh longer if power fails

3. Make a KIT

Before the storm hits, make sure you have the supplies you may need

• Water — At least a 3-day of supply; plan on 1 gallon a day per person
  Food — At least a 3-day supply of food that’s non-perishable and easy to prepare
  — non-perishable packaged or canned foods and juices
  — foods for infants or the elderly
  — non-electric can opener
  — cooking tools
  — paper plates / plastic utensils
• First-aid kit
• Prescription drugs: 7-day supply
• Vehicle fuel tanks filled
• Toiletries / personal hygiene items / moisture wipes
• Flashlights
• Extra batteries for flashlight and radio
• Radio — Battery-operated or hand-crank (NOAA weather radio, if possible)
• Phones — fully charged cell phones, with chargers
• Blankets / pillows / sleeping bags
• Clothing — seasonal clothes, rain gear, sturdy shoes
• Cash (some small bills) and credit cards.
• Keys: House, car, other
• Copies of important documents
  — insurance, medical records, bank account numbers, Social Security card
  — put them in a waterproof container or a watertight re-sealable plastic bag
• Tools — keep a small portable set with you during the storm
• Map of area — for alternate routes if roads are closed
• Camera for photos of damage
• Special items as needed:
  — For infants/toddlers: food, diapers, wipes, toys
  — For the elderly: glasses, hearing aids, assistive devices, medications
  — For pets: food, carrier/cage, collar, muzzle, leash, medications, ID, bowl
  — For family: books, games, recreational items

For more information

• Federal guidelines for hurricane preparedness:
  www.ready.gov/hurricanes
• National Hurricane Center:
  www.nhc.noaa.gov/prepare/ready.php