It is of the utmost importance that when you live or are visiting locations that are well known for the occurrences of tropical storms and hurricanes that you seriously take into considerations all the hurricane preparedness basics and then some.
- Hurricane Preparedness Basics
There is no doubt that hurricanes are very dangerous, especially since they are natural occurrences. Some tropical storms or hurricanes may at times; depending on the weather, conditions have a circumference of hundreds of miles. Very often, they have accompanying winds that may reach more than 200 miles per hour. When a hurricane reaches land, they can cause terrible flooding, while leveling many acres of ground whether they are woodlands or metropolises.
- Hurricanes Can Be Deadly!
Staying around to watch the show or having no means to escape its path has killed multitudes of individuals and their families. Remember, things and possessions can eventually be replaced; people you love and care about are irreplaceable!
If you can avoid them, you are much better off than to stay. The important thing about leaving an area that a hurricane is predicted to pass through is that you get a head start when possible ahead of the crowds that so often become a massive and slow exodus. If you feel you, should leave beforehand, listen to that still small voice and get the heck outta Dodge!
However, it is always much easier to say things than it is to do them. Many families or individuals cannot bear to leave their home for one reason or another. Some have no way to leave and nowhere to go or even the money to fuel their way if they did. Although, there are generally many fatalities for some hurricanes, there are still those who rough it out in their homes and make it just fine, because they did take the time to prepare themselves and their families for the end results of riding out a hurricane.
Note: This is not to recommend that you stay, not at all. Do the best you know to do and how to do when preparing for a hurricane, whether you take to the open road searching for safety in a storm or staying within the safety of your own home and surroundings.
There are however, various things you can do to ensure emergency preparedness for you and your family, when facing this type of horrific storm as well as survive it.
The after effects of a hurricane can cause a great deal of chaos once it hits land. For instance, it causes power lines and telephone lines to come down and some individuals and families may go for a few weeks without power or a form of communication. Flooding is not only dangerous for individuals to actually try to survive being caught up in them, the flooding can also contaminate the water supply in some areas, causing even more fatalities.
Being without water and power can cause other complicating problems and accidents, not to mention the community feelings of anxiety and depression while being caught in hurricane country. You may not be able to solve every problem that comes along with a hurricane, however by preparing yourself, your family and your home, you can increase your odds for survival until things sort of return to normal. It takes a long time for those who live in hurricane locations to actually feel normal again.
- How to Set up Your Hurricane Survival Kits
Once you begin considering the dangerous conditions associated with living in or visiting locations where hurricanes make repeat performances you will know that setting up your hurricane survival kits is vital for you and everyone you have with you as well as your home. It is also important to make you plans for survival kits well beforehand, because once the terror has hit the community, there may be little, for you to work with or include in your survival kits. Therefore, prepare yourself as soon as possible and do not wait until the storm is upon you!
- Items to Include In Your Hurricane Survival Kits
1 - Water
One of the first items on your list should include that of water for each individual who is with you. You will need at least one-gallon of water for each individual, per day. It is wise to at least, have a water supply for everyone that will last a week. This may sound like a lot; however, we all need water to survive. You may want to start rinse out any 2-liter drink bottles or milk containers with screw on lids to store water in during the year and then store it in a cool dry place for later when you may need it. You can purify water by boiling it or by adding a drop of bleach to the containers when you seal them. One of the most requested items from hurricane survivors is good clean water, so store you up some now and keep it restocked if you need too.
2 - Food Stuff
Having food on hand to feed everyone is an essential aspect of setting up your hurricane survival kits. Make sure that you have enough for each individual that includes a week’s supply of food. This is another thing you should not wait until the storm is upon you to take care of, since there may not be anything you need when the time comes if you wait until the last minute. You may want to consider foodstuff that you can eat right out of the package. For instance, some things to consider may be pop-tarts and other breakfast quick eat foods, you can also eat those can goods with out having to heat them if you need too, such as pork and beans, corn, sweet peas and green beans, if it comes to that. The important thing is to have something nutritional to eat that you may not have the opportunity to cook.
3 - Food Preparations
You should also include any items you may need for keeping and preparing foods and drinks. These may include but are not limited to a good working hand can opener, eating utensils, plates, cups, plastic is always good when you cannot wash dishes, you simply throw them away. If you have, an infant that you are bottle-feeding you may need to include a battery operated bottle warmer and other infant necessities. Another good idea is having an ice chest for anything that requires be chilling or cooling so as not to come up with food poisoning. Camping gear is always a good idea if you have it or can get it such as kerosene stoves and lanterns.
4 - Personal Hygiene Items
You will also need to consider the various personal hygiene items for each individual in the family. For instance, you will most likely need some type of antibacterial soap for bathing, even if it is in a dishpan. You should include various types of men’s toiletries for shaving, antiperspirants or deodorants, feminine hygiene items as well as baby diapers and wet-wipes for tending the small children. Toilet paper, paper towels and garbage bags will also come in handy.
5 - First Aid Kit
You may also wish to include various items for a first aid kit; you can buy them complete or make you own if you like. You may need to include an assortment of various sizes of bandages and Band-Aids, peroxide, alcohol and iodine as well as any other the counter medications ranging from sinus medication to triple anti-biotic ointment and of course any medical prescriptions for those who require them. Hand sanitizer lotions are also a good idea, especially if the water is limited for drinking only.
6 - Other Necessities
Other necessities may include such items as flashlights and batteries, be sure to stock up on some batteries in all the sizes you need. You may also want to include in your hurricane survival kits, battery operated radios of either the standard or weather types to keep an ear out for hurricane updates. Some individuals may even want to include a battery-operated television. It is always good to have a cell phone for emergencies. However, you should know that the majority of individuals who try to use their cell phones find that their towers have been influenced by hurricane damage as well. So you may want to include a couple in your kit, but do not be surprised if you are someone who cannot use it when you really need it during a hurricane. Again, make sure you have enough battery power to do you while surviving a hurricane.
Many individuals place their hurricane survival kits in their trunk when they have the room to do so. However, you should find an area where you can keep your kits safe and dry until you may need them. Remember, to keep your supply of water and foodstuff in good consumable condition by writing the date on the item and then taking it out and replacing it when you need to do so.
- Shielding Your Home from a Hurricane
When it comes to surviving a hurricane, you will want to shield your home from hurricane damage as best you can. Keep in mind that hurricanes can bring such tagalongs as very high winds, extreme rainy conditions and flooding as well as the dangers associated with lightening. Sometimes these things happen even before a hurricane hits an area.
This is the reason that it is essential that you prepare your home and property from a hurricane. For instance, you should relocate either any loose items indoors in a garage or a shed in the yard to keep them secure and avoid the possibility or them becoming items that wind can toss into the house and inflicting more damage. These may include such items as trash cans, patio furniture, yard and lawn ornaments and so on. You should move anything that is not secure, and will not move, long before a storm such as a hurricane is upon you.
Remember that high winds and flying debris can break and enter a window. Some individuals do the best they can by using duct tape to keep windows from shattering during a hurricane. However, if at all possible, either you should consider hurricane shutters for your glass windows or you may want to invest in some plywood to cover any windows in your home. Covering your windows with shutters or plywood are great ideas when you can do so, much better than using duct tape, but do what you can to shield your home from hurricane damage.
In summary, when you are facing an approaching hurricane, you should already have your hurricane survival kits ready and on hand if at all possible. Do not wait until the last minute to prepare yourself, your family or your home. Follow you gut feelings if they tell you to get out and go before there is an official evacuation of the area, in order to get ahead of the crowded situations that develop with many other vehicles on the road seeking safety.
© 2009 Sara Valor
