Home Safety Zone - Hurricane Safety

What You Need To Know About Hurricane Safety

Hurricane safety cannot be stressed enough in many parts of the Unites States.

We may have gotten off relatively easy in the past few years, but that all seems to have changed now with the 2005 hurricanes. This hurricane season was an extremely active one and it has caused many of us to wake up out of our collective stupor to realize that they are a major threat on many fronts.

Hurricane safety can lead to peace of mind

Many of the worst times come after the hurricane has gone. It is dangerous to be outside, but at the same time there are things that we need to get in order to make it through the next few days. Only problem is that there are precious few places open to get those items that we need and there are already many others who are out there searching for the same things. So, when we do find a place to get what we need, there is inevitably a very long line that we have to suffer through. It is these types of situations that can be most easily prevented and it is all about preparation.

A large part of hurricane safety is making sure that your home is equipped with all of the things that you and your family will need to get through for at least a week. After a hurricane most people will be without power and it can often times take weeks for everyone to get their power back. So, we have to consider that there will still have to be meals made and bathes taken, etc. These are just the basics that will be impossible if you have not prepared your home. If you try to go to the stores after the fact, you will soon find that there is nothing left of the most essential things because so many others also did not prepare.

Here are a few of the things that you should have in your home so that the days after the storm can be spent with piece of mind instead of with an urgency to find those things that are needed. Be sure you take heed to one safety tip after another here...

Propane stove with extra propane tanks. You will need this to do much of the cooking. It can also be used to heat water for washing. They sell out amazingly fast in some parts of the country, after Wilma there was not one to be found in South Florida, neither could you find the small replacement propane canisters - so stock up. They do not take up much space at all, but are a real godsend when the power goes out!
Propane or kerosene lamp. It is easy to forget how dark it gets at night and now, without power, there are no street lights - nothing. You will see the stars for the first time in years, but preparing a meal or reading will be most difficult with only candles or a flashlight. A lamp is made to stand on its own and makes the perfect light for preparing food, washing dishes, reading, etc.
Easily prepared meals. Keep your cupboards stocked full of dry goods that need only be heated or need hot water to be added. You can always be sure that your family will eat even if the grocery stores are closed. Snacks such as nuts and other dry goods also make a perfect treat when there is not much else on hand. Fresh fruits and vegetables are also at a minimum after a storm, so it is a good idea to have many canned goods so that proper nutrition isn't lacking.
Plenty of candles that can be used in lieu of flashlights and lamps to save the battery power when strong illumination is not needed.
Wash all of the laundry before the storm comes - you will be glad that you did after you are unable to do the laundry for a number of days!

Even these few things will work wonders on your piece of mind after the storm, think about the things that will help after the storm when making out your hurricane safety checklist. Don't get stuck in a bad position - think about weather safety before and after! Many people did not think that they would get pounded by the hurricanes as much as they did this year, and were sorry later that they had not prepared by putting up hurricane shutters and the like!

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