Safety Tips for Hurricane Preparedness
To practice disaster prevention effectively, individuals must be well informed, prepared and dedicated to minimize damages (mitigation). This can be accomplished by engaging in the following activities:

> Creating a Family Plan. (What should be indicated?)

• Types of hazards that could affect your family, including your home’s vulnerability to storm surge, flooding, and wind.
• Safe rooms, escape routes from your home (measured in tens of miles)
• Emergency contacts, including one out-of-state friend
• Total home insurance coverage (flood damage is not usually covered by homeowners insurance)
• What should be stocked (non-perishable items)

> Having a secure place to go
In preparing your home for extraneous winds, it is important to protect the areas where wind can enter. Recent wind technology research states that reinforcing and securing the following five areas can help protect your home from strong winds:

• Roof
• Straps*
• Shutters
• Doors
• Garage Doors

*(hurricane clips used to secure roof to wall connections)

If you do not feel comfortable reviewing these areas, have a handyman review these areas for you in detail.

> Creating a disaster supply kit

- Download a check list for the ideal Disaster Supply Kit.

> Creating a Pet Plan
It is recommended pet owners contact veterinarians or the local humane society to address any specific needs pets may have.

• Make sure pets are current on their vaccinations
• Have a current photograph of the pet
• Keep a collar with identification on your pet, and a leash on hand to control the pet
• Have a pet carrier
• Include pets in evacuation strategies
• Become familiar with specialized pet shelters, animal control shelters, veterinary clinics and friends and relatives out of harm’s way- these are all recommended refuges for a pet.

Note: Animals taken to a pet shelter are expected to have the following:

• Proper identification
• Collar and rabies tag
• Proper identification on all belongings
• A carrier or a cage
• Ample food supply
• Water and food bowls
• Necessary medications
• Specific care instructions and newspapers or trash bags for proper clean-up

Source: National Hurricane Center