Hurricane season 08 is here.....But please keep in mind that tornadoes can occur almost anytime
of the year.
Please consult your local county or state authorities or the American Red Cross to formulate
a family evacuation plan, have necessary supplies to get through at least 3 to 5 days.
Be sure to remember to keep a minimum of a 7 day supply of food and water for your pets. Microchip
your pets, have recent pictures of them just in case they get seperated from you. Wooden fences can be the first casualty
of high winds, keep pets indoors during the most severe part of the storm, check fences before letting them out afterwards!
Have a supply of prescription medicines on hand as pharmacies may not be operational. Keep
a well stocked first aid kit. Many outlets have good extended use kits, West Marine sells a good kit(400 Medical Kit) that
can handle most emergencies. Contact the Red Cross or your local Fire Department for information on First Aid/CPR Training
resources in your community.
Batteries should be checked for freshness and replaced as needed. Keep 3 to 5 flashlights
(two for every family member plus batteries) on hand as well as a battery powered radio for information after a storm hits.
Check batteries for expiration dates, rotate your supplies and replace as necessary.
Do not operate generators in enclosed living spaces. Do not operate them inside your garage.
Outside is the only acceptable location, away from open windows or doors.Do not burn wood or charcol fires to provide
warmth or cook in enclosed living spaces. Use a propane grill outdoors, away from windows or doorways to cook. A battery powered
CO2 alarm can be a life saver, a must if you are planning to use a generator. Place the alarms in sleeping areas and in family
rooms where you spend a lot of time.
Stay clear of down power lines and trees (live wires can be hidden in debris). Report
down live wires to your local police/fire department. Use care if you store gasoline for generators, make sure containers
are closed tight, do not store flammable liquids around ignition sources such as water heaters or other areas where a spark
can ignite vapors. Gasoline needs to be rotated as it breaks down over time, use it in your lawn mower or car and replace
with fresh every 60 to 90 days. Best bet is to store it outside in a metal locker away from all ignition sources. DO NOT STORE
GASOLINE INDOORS OR IN YOUR GARAGE !!! A simple spark from a water heater or light switch can ignite gasoline vapors and create
a disaster in addition to the weather disaster!!!
If you are not injured, keep telephone use to a minimum after an emergency, circuits get overloaded
and people with life threatening emergencies cannot get through. Remember 911 services are for life threatening
emergencies only. Have a plan that lets you make one call or notification to
a designated family member to let them know you are OK, this will free up telephone lines from relatives calling to see how
you are. Make sure you keep a vehicle charger handy for your cell phone in case the power is out for extended periods. Remember,
cell phone towers may have been blown down in a severe storm, you may not have service where you are used to having it. Cellular
circuits may become over extended and you may not be able to make calls due to high volume of calls being placed.
Be prepared to fend for yourself for a minimum of 3 to 5
days as disaster aid is not always immediate. A good plan is to have 7 to 10 days of supplies on hand. Self reliance and thoughtful
preperation is the best policy for surviving a severe storm and it's aftermath. Staying alert to hazardous weather can
save your life !!!
