Hurricane Preparedness Tips
If you're living in Florida, especially South Florida,
you've got to be prepared for hurricanes. These powerful storms
can wreak great havoc and the region is particularly prone to
them. Some of the memorable hurricanes include a 1919 storm that
left 800 people dead, while Hurricane Wilma delivered considerable
damage in 2005.
This hurricane season is no different,
with Floridians on the look out to see which storms will hit
and how much damage they will do. If you are expecting a hurricane,
there is a lot you can do to prepare and minimize the damage.
Always check to see if there are any particular recommendations
for your area.
What To Include In A Hurricane Preparedness
Kit
There are many items that should
be included in a hurricane preparedness kit. One of the key ones
is water. Make sure you have at least one gallon of bottled water
a day for everyone for up to a week. Make sure you have enough
food to last for a week, but it needs to be canned or non-perishable.
Think about getting extra supplies
of infant food or food for elderly family members. You may not
have electricity, so get a non-electric can opener and a stock
of disposable plates and cutlery.
Other items to include are protective
clothing, toiletries, wet wipes (these are useful for a wide
range of situations, flashlights with spare batteries, a battery
operated radio so you can keep up with weather updates and emergency
notifications, cell phones (with extra batteries). Itís
also worth getting a traditional telephone which will work even
when the electricity is off.
Make sure you keep some cash
handy as thereís no guarantee that ATMs will work properly
in the aftermath of the storm. It's wise to secure your important
papers and keys in a waterproof container so you will have them
if needed. Keeping a set of tools nearby can be useful in case
you need to make emergency repairs.
Prepare for the unexpected by
stocking up on plasters, bandages and antiseptic, as well as
any essential prescription or over the counter medicines. Debris
tends to fly during a hurricane and this is responsible for many
of the injuries that people experience. Flying glass can be very
dangerous, as can exposed fragments of metal, wood or glass.
Food And Water Safety
Once the hurricane has hit, there
are other issues to think about, including water safety. If tides
rise or floods occur, then the public water supply can be contaminated
by overflowing sewage systems, making the water from your tap
unsafe to drink.
This can also apply to well water,
which should be tested for contamination after a hurricane. Since
you can become ill if you drink contaminated water, itís
wise to take precautions until the authorities say that the water
is safe to drink. If you run out of bottled water, boil water
before you drink it, as this will kill most bacteria. You can
also disinfect water for other uses with bleach.
In thinking about food safety,
consider the cleanliness of crockery and utensils. If these have
come into contact with contaminated water, clean them with soap
and hot water, if this is available. Avoid food that could have
been contaminated by flood water.
Food stored in waterproof cans
or pouches may be safe to eat, but you need to clean the cans
or pouches so that there is no contamination of the contents
when you open them. Make sure you have plenty of canned food
in your hurricane preparedness kit.
If you know a hurricane is coming,
then get dry ice for your freezer. This will keep your food frozen
for up to four days. Avoid opening the refrigerator more than
necessary, as it can keep food cold for hours if it stays closed.
If the food in the fridge is still cool, then itís probably
safe to eat, but if youíre in any doubt, discard it rather
than risk food poisoning. These tips will help you to stay safe
and well even if a hurricane affects your area.
RITMO!® FLORIDA LATIN TROPICAL THEME DESTINATIONS
Miami * Ft. Lauderdale * Boca Raton * West Palm Beach * Daytona Beach * Cocoa Beach * Boynton Beach * Key West
Orlando * Naples * Tampa Bay * Sarasota * Jacksonville * Melbourne * Coral Springs * Hollywood * St. Petersburg * Miami Beach
Sanibel * Marco Island * Deerfield Beach * Clearwater * Vero Beach * Jupiter * Stuart * Delray Beach * Ponte Vedra Beach
