Page 14 - Florida Sentinel 9-14-18

Local
Hurricane Safety Checklists
The most important thing you can do as we’re in the midst of hurricane season is to get yourself, your family and your home prepared.
By starting early, you’ll avoid the rush at home sup- ply stores, grocery stores and other venues typically crowded and often chaotic when hurricane watches and warnings are issued.
You should stock eight basics for your home: water, food, first aid supplies, clothing and bedding, tools and emer- gency supplies, and spe- cial items. Keep the items you would most likely need during an evacuation in an easy-to carry container—sug- gested items are marked with an asterisk (*). Possible containers include a large, covered trash container, a camping backpack, or a duf- fle bag.
Water --- Store water in plastic containers such as soft drink bottles, one gallon
of water per person per day. Children, nursing mothers, and ill people will need more.
Keep at least a three-day supply of water per person (two quarts for drinking, two quarts for each person in your household for food preparation/ sanitation).*
Food --- Store at least a three-day supply of non-per- ishable food. Select foods that require no refrigeration, preparation or cooking, and little or no water. If you must heat food, pack a can of sterno. Select food items that are compact and lightweight. Include a selection of the fol- lowing foods in your Disaster Supplies Kit:
Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits, and vegetables; canned juices, staples (salt, sugar, pepper, spices, etc.), high energy foods, vitamins, and food for infants.
Change items in your survival kit every six months.
Radio
You should have a bat- tery-operated radio to keep up with the latest news about the hurricane.
Batteries
You should also have at least 2 sets of extra batteries for each item that requires batteries.
Flashlight
You need a flashlight or battery-operated lantern in the event of a power failure.
First Aid Kit
Assemble a first aid kit for your home and one for each car. It should contain various sizes of bandages, sterile dress, gauge bandages, ger- micidal hand wipes or water- less alcohol-based hand sanitizer, antiseptic wipes, pair of large medical grade non-latex gloves, anti-bacte- rial ointment, cold pack, small pair of scissors, tweez- ers, and CPR breathing bar- rier, such as a face shield.
Ice Coolers
You should have at least 2 coolers, depending on family size. Use one for food and the other for drinks or water.
Non-Prescription Drugs
Aspirin or non-aspirin pain reliever, anti-diarrhea medication, antacid (for stomach upset), laxative, and activated charcoal (use if ad- vised by the American Asso- ciation of Poison Control Centers).
Tools and Supplies
Mess kits, or paper cups, plates, and plastic utensils*
Emergency preparedness manual, battery-operated radio and extra batteries, flashlight and extra batteries, cash or traveler’s checks, change, non-electric can opener, utility knife, fire ex- tinguisher: small canister
ABC type, tube tent, pliers, tape, compass, matches in a waterproof container, alu- minum foil, plastic storage containers, signal flare, paper, pencil, needles, thread, medicine dropper, shut-off wrench, to turn off household gas and water, whistle, and plastic sheeting.
Sanitation, Clothing and Bedding
Toilet paper, towelettes, soap, liquid detergent, femi- nine supplies, personal hy- giene items, plastic garbage bags, ties (for personal sani- tation uses), plastic bucket with tight lid, disinfectant, and household chlorine bleach
Clothing and Bedding
Include at least one com- plete change of clothing and footwear per person, sturdy shoes or work boots, rain gear, blankets or sleeping bags, hat and gloves, thermal underwear, and sunglasses
Special Items
Remember family mem- bers with special require- ments, such as infants and elderly or disabled persons.
For Pets
Items should be included for pets such as food, water, collar, and other items. Do not leave your pets behind. Securely fasten a current identification tag to your pet’s collar and carry a pho- tograph of your pet.
Entertainment
Board games and other games that don’t require bat- teries or electricity, books for adult readers and for chil- dren.
Possessions and Documents
Keep these records in a waterproof, portable con- tainer: will, insurance poli- cies, contracts, deeds, stocks and bonds, passports, social security cards, immunization records, bank account num- bers, credit card account numbers and companies.
Keep important family records (birth, marriage, death certificates) in airtight, plastic bags.
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