Use these tips to help your family prepare for storm season:
Outside | Inside |
Trim dead or weak branches from trees. | Store valuables in a waterproof container at the highest point of your home. |
| Moor boats securely, store them upside down against a wall or move them to a safer place. | Photocopy vital documents and keep the originals in a safe deposit box. |
| Protect your windows with custom-fit shutters or 3/4-inch plywood. Check with your local building inspector. | Install smoke alarms on each level of your home. Test them once a month & replace batteries at least once a year. |
| Clear roof drains. | Fill bathtubs, sinks and jugs with clean water. |
| If you live in a flood-prone area, elevate or move mobile structures to higher ground. | Pick a “safe” room in the house, usually a first-floor interior hallway, room or closet without windows. |
| Bring indoors objects that may be blow or be swept away, such as lawn furniture, etc. | Plan home escape routes. Find two ways out of each room. |
| Lower the water level in pools 6 inches. Add extra chlorine, turn off the electricity to pool equipment & wrap up any exposed filter pumps with a waterproof covering. | Secure objects that could cause harm during a bad storm. |
| Plan how to take care of your pets. | Write & videotape an inventory of your home, garage, and surrounding property. |
| Fill your vehicle’s gas tank. | Keep a portable, battery operated radio or television and extra batteries. |
| Keep a small disaster supply kit in the trunk of each car. | Post emergency telephone numbers. |
| Keep sliding glass doors wedged shut in high wind. | Show adult family members where fire extinguishers are and how they work. |
| If you use a portable generator, make sure you know what loads it can handle including the wattage. If you connect the generator to a household circuit, you must have a double-pole, double throw transfer switch installed between the generator and outside power, or the “back-feed” could seriously harm or kill utility line workers. | Make a plan for family members to reunite if separated. |
| Remove outdoor antennas. | Teach all responsible family members how and when to turn off the water, gas, electricity at the main switches or valves. Turn off utilities only if you suspect a leak or damaged lines, or if you are instructed to do so by authorities. |
| Unplug all electrical cords. | |
Visit www.floridadisaster.org/family for more information about hurricane preparation.
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