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Hurricane Irene
Be safe and we extend our wishes that you take every precaution to take care of yourself, your family and loved ones and of course…….all our family pets!
Following are some suggestions and options if you choose to hunker down or …..the following points may help you decide what is most important for you to do in your particular situation.
You may already have these all in order but just in case we’re sharing.
Do you have a battery powered radio (sometimes your radio/alarm clock has a battery backup so that could work); perhaps you need to check the batteries Candles, sternos are helpful if you have electric stove; Three flashlights should be enough for two or three days with new batteries in them. And, you probably already have a flashlight somewhere. Do you need new batteries?
Water -if you can buy some do so or fill up some pots in case there is a water leak and your access is turned off or not available; Fill your tub(s) with water. Clean them first. The water may be absolutely necessary. Depending on what your city or town charges for water, the cost may be a few cents. If you have a well, it’s virtually free
Ice could come in handy for a cooler to keep some specifics items cold if you lose power..like milk, medicine needing refrigeration, etc.
Have an old fashioned phone which is not portable but connects directly to your phone line is good because the portables need electricity to run
Tape/cardboard for some larger windows or bags and tape if they actually break and the storm still rages; Ensure your screen door/all doors are closed and secured.
Move to an inside location all decorative items that could be carried away or do damage with high winds – statues, potted plants, birdbaths from the yard, American flag…
Be ready to move pets if necessary, have travel cases/crates ready
Save your financial life. Get a water-proof case for key financial records, stock certificates, and personal records. A large cooler will do, if it can be securely sealed.
Get your cellphone and PC ready. Each may come in handy if you are trapped indoors for a couple of days. And if you lose electricity, products like the “Power Monkey” ($50) could come in handy. Some come with the ability to use the sun to charge the device.
Do you have walkie talkies? These can definitely keep you in touch with loved ones for up to a mile if you have to make it out into the storm in an emergency. Charge them now or see if they are battery compatible; most are…get batteries.
Make sure you have jumper cables in case you need to charge the battery in the SUV that might be needed to travel in the storm. The car battery will last longer if the car is running, so, don’t forget to fill up your tank. Gas stations will not be able to run their pumps if THEY lose power – gas up now.
You probably already have items like, tuna, can soup and pasta in the kitchen. Make sure you have enough non-perishable food to last three or four days. Paper towels and toilet paper.
Keep some money/cash on hand. You may need it if you run out of essentials and ATM machines are not working for whatever reason. It may seem like a lot of dough, but if you don’t spend it, you don’t loss a dime – except for a fee you might pay for get the money from a cash machine that is not at a branch of your bank.
Sandbags. These are expensive, but some stores are already selling out as customers stock up. In many cases, municipal authorities, local fire or police offices, or state disaster relief organizations give these out.
Generators. These are pricey. But, if you don’t have a car battery or solar power, they may be necessary. Sears sells them for as little as $429.99. And, you can keep them for the next time a storm or summer power outage pulls the plug on your electricity
