If you live in an area or state that is at risk of storms and hurricanes, you will know the importance of preparing and getting ready for any eventuality that might come your way. Storms and hurricanes are extremely dangerous, and the more preparation you can do then, the easier you will find it to cope with everything that is going on. If you do not start your preparations early (or as soon as you can), you may find that you go into panic mode. As a result of this, you may end up being more counterproductive than productive, and this is when problems escalate. So, to kick start your preparation the right way, what should you be organizing?
Emergency Supply of Food and Clean Water
Food and clean bottled drinking water are always good to have stored in your cellar or pantry. When storms hit, stores close, and the regular access you had to everything becomes non-existent. Keeping a good supply of easy-to-prepare canned products, tinned goods, and pickled items, as well as long-life products, will be important. Also, keeping a stash of high-energy food and drinks may be useful. You will find that access to water will be cut off or limited, and this is why it is useful to have clean bottled water on standby (for drinking, cooking with, or cleaning).
Keep All Your Personal Documents Together
It may not be something that you instantly think of, but have you got all of your personal documents together and ready to take with you – should you have to evacuate? For example, copies of homeowner loans, copies or originals of ID cards, passports and. healthcare insurance/coverage policies? Trying to get these from scratch can be testing, and if you lose them through storm damage, it can add unnecessary stress and pressure onto your shoulders.
Emergency Communications Systems
Storms can affect communication methods and communication lines. Phone masts and cell masts can be damaged, and if you are not careful, you could be left without means of communication for days. To ensure this does not happen to you, it is important to have emergency communication systems on standby. For example, a spare phone that can be charged using solar or powered by battery, a CB radio, or even a hand-crank radio. Having some way to communicate with others and even signal for help or assistance is important.
A Backup Generator is a Must
In terrible storms and severe hurricanes, you can find that power lines can be damaged and sometimes out for hours – if not longer. During this period, you will need some sort of power source. You will need to cook and even perhaps heat up where you are sheltering. To ensure that this happens, you need to look at backup generators from Generator One. Being able to get access to power when you need it can help you overcome some of the challenges you may face.
Secure Lose Property As Well as You Can
In the event of severe winds, you want to be sure that you can lock down as much of your home and property as possible. Spending some time securing lost items and property can save you a lot of heartaches. If you have a cellar or bunker, consider storing precious items down (when you get advice that bad weather is on its way). Don’t leave everything until the last minute, as this can increase levels of stress and tension, and it can mean you end up forgetting about something important.
Check Your Home Internally and Externally
You can try and prepare your home internally and externally as well as you can. This may involve boarding up windows, battening down the hatches, and securing loose items. Maintaining your home and carrying out essential repair works when they are due will help you get your home as weather-tight as it can be. Strengthen doors and windows where you can, and always ensure you have plenty of accessible exit and entry points.
Preparation and Time Are Key
If a storm or hurricane becomes so severe that you have to evacuate – you have to be ready. Taking the time to prepare everything you need, reaching out to others to try and find safe shelter, and having the time to get everything sorted will mean that if this unfortunate occasion comes, you will be as ready as you possibly can be. Being mentally and physically prepared to evacuate will help you cope with the situation a lot better.