Tropical Storm Andres formed overnight off the southwestern coast of Mexico, becoming the first named storm of the season in the Eastern Pacific. Yes, hurricane season is here once again.
Make sure you are ready for this. Below is a list with supplies you should have handy:
Hurricane Kit
· Flashlights and extra bulbs
· Battery operated radio
· Fully charged battery operated lanterns. Candles and kerosene lanterns are fire hazards.
· Extra batteries
· Matches
· Clock (wind up or battery operated)
· Plastic garbage bags
· Working fire extinguishers
· Scissors
· Clean change of clothes, rain gear, sturdy swamp boots
· Inexpensive rabbit ears tv antenna to use if cable goes out
House Checklist
· Gather supplies early
· Store loose outdoor items
· Anchor smalls sheds
· Trim dead branches from trees and shrubs
· Put chlorine in pool, protect filter motor
· Tape or board up windows
· Fill gas tank of cars, park in safe place
· Remove valuables (furniture and rugs) from floor
· Move furniture away from windows, cover with plastic
· Put important documents in waterproof container
· Get extra cash (ATM's might lose power)
Food and Water
· Bottled water. One gallon per person per day.
· Shelf package juice and milk boxes.
· Canned and powdered milk
· Beverages (powdered or canned, fruit juices,
(instant coffee/tea)
· Prepared foods (canned soups, beef, spaghetti, tuna, chicken, ham, corned beef hash, fruit cocktail, packaged pudding)
· Canned vegetables and fruits
· Dried fruits
· Snacks (crackers, cookies, hard candy, nuts)
· Snack spreads ( peanut butter, cheese spreads, jelly)
· Cereals
· Raw vegetables
· Sugar, salt, pepper
· Bread
· Dry and canned pet food
· Right now, buy all the nonperishable foods you will need, put them in a box and leave them alone, except to rotate stock. Stock up on ice and pack coolers as early as possible. Freezing then ahead of time is less hassle than fighting for them at a store.
· Before the storm, turn your refrigerator and freezer to the coldest setting and drape blankets over them, keeping bottom vents clear. Move perishables you'll use first into ice chests to limit opening of refrigerators.
· Designate one cooler you will open regularly; fill that with drinks and less perishable items. Set aside other coolers for more perishable things such as meats and open them only rarely.
· Crank up your ice maker, break out the ice cube trays or fill jugs with water, so you can be making and storing ice in your freezer or coolers around the clock.
· Store cubes or small blocks of ice in sealed bags and containers so you can drink it after it melts.
· Clean your bathtub out, then wash with bleach. Rinse thoroughly.
· If possible, line with plastic. Then fill it for
additional drinking water
· Fill toilet tank; you'll want it to flush after the storm.
Hardware
· Hand tools: hammer, screwdrivers to use now,
shovel and pickax for after the storm.
· Power screwdriver
· 4x8 ft. sheets of plywood 5/8" to 1/2" tick to put over windows. Ask for exterior plywood
· 1/4 machine screw sockets and screws
· Plastic sheeting to cover furniture
· Rope
· Sturdy working gloves
· Duct tape to waterproof items; masking tape isn't strong enough
· Canvas tarps
· Nails. There are many kinds, so look over your
home now and determine what you will need.
Medical Needs
· Medic alert tags
· Insect repellent sprays and candles
· Feminine hygiene items
· Sunscreen
· Soap
· First Aid kit and First Aid Handbook
· Supply of any prescription drugs
· Extra Over-the-counter medicine (colds,
allergies, cough)
· Children's medicine
· Aspirin
· Bandages
· Adhesive tape
· Cotton tipped swabs
· Antiseptic solution
· Sterile rolls, bandages
· Ear drops
· Thermometer
· Tweezers
· Needles
· Disinfectant
Baby Needs
· Disposable diapers, wipes
· Formula, baby food
· Diaper rash ointment, petroleum jelly
· Baby medicines (pain, cold, cough)
· Medicine dropper
Emergency Toilet
· Small can with tight lid
· Plastic bags for liners
· Disinfectant or bleach
· Deodorizer
Kitchen Supplies
· Plastic to line bathtub to fill with water
· Jugs or containers to store water
· Water Purification Tablets. 2% tincture of iodine or ordinary household bleach, which contains hypochlorite as its only active ingredient, no bleach with additives.
· Manual can opener
· Bottle opener
· Matches
· Pocketknife-preferably Swiss Army style
· Camp stove or other cooking device and plenty of fuel. Use canned fuel, not charcoal or gas
· Disposable dishes
· Ice chest or coolers
· Paper plates, napkins,, cutlery, cups
As we do every year, we have a downloadable Hurricane Brochure containing valuable information. We have updated the list of shelters in Highlands County and are happy to report that quite a few pet and/or pet-friendly shelters are available now.
Darrin & Andrea Mills
www.millsrealestate.net
mills@millsrealestate.net
863-202-0729
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