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
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