One of the natural world’s most dangerous occurrences is the hurricane. With that in mind , if you’re living in a region that is subject to hurricanes, it’s important to learn about what you need to do to prepare for one. Here are the top ten things to do to help protect yourself , your family and your home if you’re unlucky enough to be in the path of a hurricane . With a little planning and a small measure of common sense, everyone can be safe .
1. Watch out for the television and radio reports for hurricane updates and evacuation information . While hurricanes track unpredictably, you will receive enough warning of an approaching storm. If you’re told to evacuate, do it sooner not later. And talking about radios, keep a battery operated or hand crank radio on hand in the event of a power failure.
2. If your home is on the coast or in a low lying locale, have standing arrangements to relocate your family to higher ground. Know where you’re going and what you need to have with you beforehand . Don’t negotiate this one – just do it.
3. Prepare a Family Emergency Plan. Keep it in your Family Emergency Kit. Make sure your kit is altogether and ready to go . Make sure your plan has a map or other information on your evacuation route and easy-to-follow steps on turning off your utilities, if necessary.
4. Secure your windows with permanent storm shutters or board them up with 5/8″ plywood. maybe, it will also make sense to anchor your roof with straps or additional clips to the frame of your home .
5. Bring in all lawn furniture and any loose tools, toys or ornaments and keep them in your basement or garage . While you’re outside , check the trees and shrubs around your house and clear out any damaged or broken branches before the storm hits .
6. Fill your tub and several large containers with clean, drinkable water. Keep a supply of emergency food on hand.
7. Gas up your vehicle and if you own a portable generator gas it up as well .
8. Secure and seal ground level doors or windows to help protect from flooding . If you have an emergency pump, make sure it is in working order .
9. If you have pets or livestock , make arrangements well in advance about what to do to protect them in the event of a major storm . If your barn or shed will be vulnerable in a major storm, your livestock might be better left outside.
10. Don’t bother with the sightseeing at the water . It might look dramatic , but really it’s a risky thing to do. Every season, unsuspecting sightseers get a nasty surprise by the power and unpredictability of a major storm .
10 basic steps . While life is always full of surprises , follow these rules and you’ll be better prepared for a hurricane.