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Staying Safe At Home

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Home Stager

Staying Safe At Home

 

With luck and statistics on our side, most of us will not have to endure a hurricane, fire, tornado, earthquake, or other natural disaster.  Earlier in the month, I wrote about the beginning of Hurricane Season and the importance of being prepared.

 

However, if you are ever forced to shelter in place for more than a day, here are some suggestions for what to have at home as well as preparations to make.. 

 

FIRST AID AND PERSONAL MEDICATIONS

Hopefully, you always have a First Aid Kit at home with antiseptic and bandages. If anyone in the home has prescription medicine, make sure you’re not down to your last pill. Don’t forget your glasses and extra contacts.

THE BASICS

Flashlights and batteries

Lanterns

Paper goods…toilet paper, paper towels, tissues, paper plates, and forks

Bottled water

Non-perishable food (don’t forget your pets)

Can openers (if your power goes out) 

 

FUEL

Always keep your vehicles full or, at the very least, with enough fuel, in case you need to evacuate. 

If you have a house generator, ensure it’s functioning properly and that you have sufficient fuel for it. 

 

KNOW WHERE IMPORTANT INFORMATION IS AND BE READY

If you don’t have to evacuate, no problem. However, if you’re asked to leave (gas leaks, fires, etc), it’s comforting to know where your documents, backup drives, devices, etc, are. 

TOOLS AND SUPPLIES TO REPAIR ANY DAMAGE

Have power tools ready. If they are battery-operated, keep them charged. Have on hand large trash bags, duct tape, and plastic sheeting. 

 

I hope you never need any of this; however, would it hurt to be prepared??

 

Posted by

Kathy Streib
Retired Home Stager
and Interior Redesign

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Comments(17)

Show All Comments Sort:
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

This is good advice to share.

Have a great day and an outstanding week.

Jun 19, 2025 04:59 AM
Kathy Streib

Roy Kelley Thank you. Hello to Chef Dolores. 

Jun 19, 2025 12:30 PM
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Oswego, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Good morning Kathy. While I no longer have those worries on an annual basis, as I look back, as prepared as I thought I was, was not enough! My advice for people living in areas so prone is to pay closer attention to the potential problem. Enjoy your day. 

Jun 19, 2025 05:03 AM
Kathy Streib

I agree Wayne Martin With every hurricane I learned something to do for the next event. 

Jun 19, 2025 12:31 PM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

Good morning, Kathy... great advice. Can't say I've done any of this, but will save your list just in case a hurricane is coming Charlotte's way.

Jun 19, 2025 05:20 AM
Kathy Streib

Nina Hollander, Broker However, I'll bet you have the basics always stocked at home. 

Jun 19, 2025 12:37 PM
Nina Hollander, Broker

Kathy Streib I don't know about those lanterns... don't think I've ever bought one! :)

Jun 19, 2025 12:52 PM
Sham Reddy CRS
Howard Hanna RE Services, Dayton, OH - Dayton, OH
CRS

Thanks for sharing very useful tips Kathy!!!

With luck and statistics on our side, most of us will not have to endure a hurricane, fire, tornado, earthquake, or other natural disaster.

Jun 19, 2025 05:21 AM
Kathy Streib

Sham Reddy CRS Thank you!!!!  Be glad you're not in Houston...hot and humid!!!

Jun 19, 2025 12:38 PM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

Being prepared just in case is always a smart thing!

Jun 19, 2025 05:22 AM
Kathy Streib

Kat Palmiotti especially where you are!   You need that camper//van.

Jun 19, 2025 12:39 PM
Kat Palmiotti

Haha Kathy Streib - you're making me want it more!

Jun 19, 2025 01:40 PM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

I am glad that I have never had to be prepared to shelter in place, especially since I didn't enjoy what they tried to force upon us during the scamdemic, haha

Jun 19, 2025 05:25 AM
Kathy Streib

Brian England We had everything we needed. We've had 4 days without power and glad we had the basics here. 

Jun 19, 2025 12:39 PM
Gwen Fowler SC Lakes & Mountains 864-710-4518
Gwen Fowler Real Estate, Inc - Walhalla, SC
Gwen Fowler Real Estate, Inc.

And have some cash.  ATMs, scanners at the gas station, grocery store, etc., use electricity, which can be out or spotty.  Cash usually gets you what you need, so have some available during storm season.

Jun 19, 2025 06:25 AM
Kathy Streib

Gwen Fowler SC Lakes & Mountains 864-710-4518 Great reminder about that. Also you don't want all of your cash to be in 100s or 20s. Have smaller denominations. 

Jun 19, 2025 12:40 PM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Hi Kathy,
One of the things I love about where I live is the lack of those kinds of extreme weather systems.  If I lived in one of those areas, I'd definitely taken steps to be prepared. 

Jun 19, 2025 06:38 AM
Kathy Streib

Carol Williams  After one of the hurricanes, the generator went out in the big box store. All of the meats, frozen foods, etc had to be tossed. We had to drive around for milk for a young mother staying at our friend's house. 

Jun 19, 2025 12:43 PM
Dr. Paula McDonald
Beam & Branch Realty - Granbury, TX
Granbury, TX 936-203-0279

Great tips and advice, Kathy. Being prepared is the key.

Jun 19, 2025 06:44 AM
Kathy Streib

Dr. Paula McDonald love reading about your trip. 

Jun 19, 2025 12:43 PM
Jeffrey DiMuria 321.223.6253 Waves Realty
Waves Realty - Melbourne, FL
Florida Space Coast Homes

Since many of the folks reading are real estate agents....reminder during a hurricane or big storm...GET YOU SIGNS STASHED AWAY. They are like mistles if you leave them out.

Jun 19, 2025 07:00 AM
Kathy Streib

No kidding Jeffrey DiMuria 321.223.6253 Waves Realty With every hurricane in FL, I had to bring in my flying missles, otherwise known as orchids!!!  

Jun 19, 2025 12:45 PM
Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400
The Top Team @ Charles Rutenberg Realty 255 Executive Dr, Plainview NY 11803 - Plainview, NY
Long Island Condo and Home Specialists

Kathy, Being ready is wise, but I hope there are NO hurricane problems this year!

Jun 19, 2025 07:25 AM
Kathy Streib

Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400 I couldn't agree more. I remember a few years ago, we cut our trip short because a hurricane was headed for our home in FL. We arrived to see lines upon lines of people waiting to get gas. 

Jun 19, 2025 12:46 PM
Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543
Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055 - Downingtown, PA
Selling the Main Line & Chester County

With ever more challenging climate events, storms, tornadoes and wildfires let alone hurricanes it never hurts to be prepared. Thank you for the reminders and the lists.

Jun 19, 2025 08:26 AM
Kathy Streib

HI Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543 We never know, do we. I never thought we'd have a derecho here. The winds can be like a hurricane and it also acts like a horizontal tornado. 

Jun 19, 2025 12:49 PM
Sean Aujla, MBA - Los Angeles
Rise Realty - Los Angeles, CA
#SoCal Real Estate & Mtg. Broker 🏠 ☀️ 🌴 🇺🇸

Hi Kathy Streib, some good tips, always best to be prepared! 

Jun 19, 2025 09:15 AM
Kathy Streib

Thank you Sean Aujla, MBA - Los Angeles In your area, I'd imagine you're prepared for fires. 

Jun 19, 2025 12:49 PM
Lew Corcoran
Better Living Real Estate, LLC - East Bridgewater, MA
Expert guidance. Exceptional results.

Thanks so much for sharing this practical and thoughtful reminder, Kathy Streib. I really appreciate the clear tips and helpful checklists; it’s easy to overlook these things until it’s too late. Your advice makes preparedness feel more approachable and less daunting. A truly a valuable read! 😊

Jun 19, 2025 11:51 AM
Kathy Streib

Thank you Lew Corcoran When we had hurricanes in FL, the Governor and powers that be asked everyone to have supplies for at least 3 days. Inevitabley, there were people right after the hurricane who complained about having not water. 

Jun 19, 2025 12:51 PM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Kathy, great list to be prepared.  I was in OKC looking for a home years ago, when a tornado went overhead.  We had to go into the "Fraidy hole".   It was very scary.

Jun 19, 2025 12:53 PM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Kathy great suggestions, and I love your feature photo for this blog.

Jun 19, 2025 04:32 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good evening Kathy,

It always is best to be prepared and hopefully never had to utilize your preparations! You just never know...excellent suggestions! Loved your featured photo! 

Jun 19, 2025 05:19 PM