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Home › Articles › Safe Family › Hurricane Tips

Hurricane Tips

American Red Cross Urges You to Take Lifesaving Steps to Prepare Now

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  • A battery-powered radio, flashlight and plenty of extra batteries.
  • A manual can opener.
  • Copies of important documents, including birth certificates, insurance policies and social security cards. Your original documents should be secured in a locked box or safety deposit box.
  • Comfortable clothing and footwear.
  • One blanket or sleeping bag per person.
  • A first aid kit, including prescription medicines.
  • Emergency tools, including tools to turn off utilities.
  • An extra set of car keys.
  • Cash/credit cards.
  • Special items for infant, elderly or disabled family members.
  • An extra pair of glasses or contact lenses.
    • Prepare for High Winds

    Pick a day in June to conduct a home hazard hunt and perimeter search, in which you inspect your home for items that can move, fall, break or cause a fire.

    • Make trees more wind resistant by removing diseased and damaged limbs.
    • Install hurricane or high-wind shutters on your windows or precut plywood to cover windows, and add protection to the outside areas of sliding glass doors.
    • Strengthen garage doors and un-reinforced masonry.
    • Move or secure lawn furniture, outdoor decorations or ornaments, trash cans, hanging plants and anything else that can be picked up by wind and become a projectile.

    Practice and maintain your plan. Ask questions to make sure your family remembers meeting places, phone numbers and safety rules. Conduct drills. Something else to keep in mind is the value of neighbors during a difficult time. Working with neighbors can save lives. Know your neighbors' special skills and consider how you could help neighbors who have special needs, such as disabled and elderly persons. Make plans for childcare in case parents cannot get home – that way, all of the children in your neighborhood can be safe.

    For more information regarding how individuals and families can prepare for disasters, visit www.redcross.org or contact your local Red Cross chapter.


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