Ridge Baptist Family Hurricane Preparedness
1. Before hurricane =
season
arrives:
-Insure
you have proper flood insurance to cover all types of water damage. If unsure, check your policy and c=
all the
National Flood Insurance Protection representative at 1-800-638-6620.
-Make
sure your roof is in good condition.
Replace missing or broken shingles.
-Insure
mobile homes, portable sheds, and similar large items that may be moved by =
high
winds are strapped down or somehow kept from moving.
2. One or more days =
before
an approaching storm hits:
-For
insurance purposes, take pictures or do a video walk-thru inside and outside
your home. This documents all=
your
major property in its pre-storm condition.=
Include pictures of the roof and all major trees.
-Start
using up food in your refrigerator/freezer that may go bad after power is l=
ost,
unless you are staying home and have a generator to keep it powered.
-Fill
gas tanks of all usable vehicles, plus any portable gas cans. Check vehicle fluid levels. Check spare tire and tire changing
tools.
-Bring
inside or tie down loose or light-weight items outdoors, including covers on
pools or hot tubs. Breakable =
items,
such as glass-top tables, should be stored. Fill any land-locked boats with wa=
ter to
help hold them down. Remove
antennas and turbines from the roof.
-Consider
boarding up windows, especially if storm predicted at Category 3 or higher.=
-Stock
up on necessities: prescripti=
on
medicines, water, non-perishable food, drinking water (one gallon per person
per day), toiletries and sanitary items, baby needs, and batteries. Have first aid supplies, a fire
extinguisher, a manual can opener, a working flashlight and portable
radio. If you plan to use can=
dles
or oil lanterns, have matches or lighters, and only use them in rooms where
there is someone staying awake to watch them. Have plain, unscented chlorine ble=
ach
for disinfecting more water.
-Set
refrigerators and freezers to max cool setting to maximize preservation.
-Stock
up on propane or charcoal for cooking later on in your yard.
-Prepare
for ways to flush your toilets if city water pressure is lost. If you have a swimming pool or hot=
tub,
all you need is a large bucket. If
not these, fill your bath tub for this purpose, and fill other large contai=
ners
with tap water for hand washing/washrag wetting.
-Plan
an evacuation route and destination in case you have to leave. Have an emergency communication pl=
an to
use if family members are separated from one another.
3. If not staying ho=
me, do
the following just before leaving:
-NOTE:
Once you decide to leave, go as soon as possible, and allow for crow=
ded
roads.
-Ensure
all appliances are turned off.
-Unplug
TV’s, computers, and stereos to protect from lightning surges.
-Move
anything damageable by water away from windows.
-Turn
off water and gas at their outside sources.
-To
minimize chances of fire, open the main breaker to kill all power to wiring=
in
the house.
-Hide
or lock up valuables you are leaving, such as jewelry or firearms. Etch your name on larger items, su=
ch as
bicycles or portable safes.
-Let
relatives, close friends, your deacon, or anyone else who might be likely to
check on you after the storm is over, know where you are going.
-Plan
for your pets. Most motels and
shelters (including our church if used as one) cannot take pets, so either =
make
arrangements with an animal shelter or have adequate food and water left out
for them.
-Lock
the house, including windows.
4. If not staying ho=
me,
items to consider taking with you:
-Prescription
medicines, eye glasses.
-First
aid supplies, toiletries and sanitary needs (including a roll of bathroom
tissue and wet-ones).
-Baby
or elderly needs.
-Water,
non-perishable food, eating utensils. (Even if going to a shelter, you ma=
y get
stuck in traffic for a long time.)
Also trash bags.
-Information,
such as ID papers, medical, insurance, and phone #s.
-Irreplaceable
items like family photos, well packed and wrapped in plastic.
-Cots
or air mattresses, blankets or sleeping bags, and pillows.
-At
least two changes of durable clothing, plus a bath towel. Wear sturdy shoes.
-Rain
gear with hood or cap.
-Cell
phone and vehicle charger.
-Jumper
cables, tire repair kit, pump, small shovel, flares.
-Road
map, with evacuation route and alternate routes marked.
-One
flashlight per person, spare batteries.
-
-Manual
can opener and a sharp knife.
-Pictures
you took of your home, plus the camera to take pictures on your return.
-Have
a full set of your keys.
-Cash
(including some quarters and one dollar bills), traveler’s checks, cr=
edit
cards.
-Games,
books, toys, pen & paper, etc. to make the time pass more quickly.
-Wear
any medical bracelets or alert tags you have.
-For
self defense, consider pepper spray.
If you desire to take a hand gun with you, you may keep it loaded and
either in the glove box or under the lid of a center console in your vehicle
while in our state. The
compartments do not have to be locked, but you must keep them safe from
children if traveling with them. If
taking weapons outside
5. If staying home:<= o:p>
-Do
the second thru fifth steps under #3 above.
-Stay
in a safe area, such as an interior, reinforced room, closet or bathroom on=
the
lower floor.
-Keep
all windows and doors tightly closed through the storm.
-Avoid
using open flames inside a building if there are gas lines inside or near t=
he
build
-Stay
inside until “all clear” is announced. Do not go out if the eye passes ov=
er
you. Do not walk or drive into
flooded areas. Standing water=
may
be electrically charged from underground or downed power lines.
-To disinfect water, boil vigorously for 5 minutes. Or: Add 16 drops of plain, unscented chlorine bleach per gallon of water; stir and let stand for 30 minutes. It should have a slight bleach odo= r. If not, repeat dosage and let stand another 15 minutes. Remember = also that even after water pressure is lost you can drain water for drinking sto= red in your hot water heater thru the drain valve.