Tuesday, June 19, 2018

The Atlantic hurricane season started on June 1, and forecasters are reporting we could once again see above-normal storm activity between now and when hurricane season ends in November.

Whether you or someone you love lives in a hurricane prone area or not, the following ten preparation tips from the Red Cross are great steps to take in advance of any storm:

- Talk with household members about what to do if a hurricane strikes and create an evacuation plan. Talking about it ahead of time will help ease fears, especially in younger children.

- Build an emergency kit in an easy-to-carry container with items including a gallon of water per person, per day, non-perishable food, a flashlight, battery-powered radio, first aid kit, medications, and supplies for infants and pets.

- Be informed. Learn about your community's hurricane-response plan. Plan routes to local shelters and register family members with special medical needs as required.

- Get access to NOAA radio broadcasts. Purchase a battery-powered or hand-crank NOAA weather radio in the Red Cross Store.

- Keep important papers and valuables in a safe deposit box in a place less likely to see flooding damage. You can take pictures with your phone or keep copies on a flash drive to carry with you on your keys.

- Protect windows with permanent storm shutters or invest in one-half inch marine plywood that is pre-cut to fit your doors and windows.

- Identify a place to store lawn furniture, toys, gardening tools and trash cans (away from stairs and exits) to prevent them from being moved by high winds and possibly hurting someone.

- Clear clogged rain gutters and downspouts.

- Download the free Red Cross Emergency App (text 'GETEMERGENCY' to 90999) for expert guidance on what to do before, during and after hurricanes as well as 34 other types of emergencies.

- Take a First Aid and CPR/Course (redcross.org/takeaclass) to learn what to do in case emergency help is delayed.

Source: American Red Cross

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