Home Safety Zone - Hurricanes

Hurricanes

Hurricane Predictions

In 2004, forecasters predicted that there would be 11 named storms during the 2005 hurricane season, six actual hurricanes, three of which would be intense. In reality, there were 26 named storms, 14 of which became hurricanes, and seven of those were intense.

Now that the 2005 hurricane season is over, some forecasters are already predicting that we should expect 11 named storms, five of which will be hurricanes and three of those severe. If the 2005 season is any indication of what's ahead, people should try to be more prepared next year, starting now. How? Well, since hurricane shutters were on backorder even in June 2005, it might not hurt to get your order in as soon as possible to be sure you have them in time for the 2006 hurricane season. This is one of the most important things you can do to keep your home and family safe and dry.

Survival Tips

Next, do what you know you should do. It's true that people often stock up on weather safety supplies only to end up not using them all, but if we've learned anything from the 2005 hurricanes, it's that we should be prepared. The bare necessities are:

Plenty of bottled water (the general rule of thumb is one gallon per person for each day that you're without water)
Batteries for portable radios or t.v.s and flashlights
At least two bags of ice (enough to fill each cooler you own)
An extra propane tank if you have a gas grill (or extra charcoal and lighter fluid if you have a regular grill) and something to light the grill with
Plenty of candles and ways to light them

When it comes to ice, chances are if you lose power, you won't be able to keep it very long unless you get it in coolers right when you lose power. But if you have a freezer full of meat, all is not lost. If you are able to keep your meat on ice (particularly if it's frozen to begin with) it can last for at least a week. The same goes for milk. The trick is to get more ice on it every day and limit the time that the lid is off the cooler. Another good idea is to completely empty your refrigerator and freezer, load your food into coolers, cover them with ice and store the coolers in the refrigerator and freezer (if they will fit). You'll find that this gives the coolers an extra layer of insulation to keep foods cooler longer.

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