Hurricane Preparedness Tips & Hacks

Being born and raised in S. Florida, we are no strangers to storms, including hurricanes, but it’s easy to get complacent when it’s a smaller storm. Those of us that have lived here for a long time, know that even a tropical storm can knock out power for days, cause flooding or downed trees that affect roads, and therefore the ability to getting essentials you may need. 

There are lots of checklists that advise what to do once a hurricane looks like it’s headed your way.   We always suggest doing many of these things at the beginning of hurricane season, versus waiting until the last minute and finding yourself unprepared.  In most cases, these are all things we should be keeping up with anyway but have been procrastinating, so it’s time to get organized!

Here is a checklist and tips for being prepared for the storm BEFORE it hits.

1.   Check your fire extinguishers. (something we should all do at least once per year). Why fire extinguishers? Some people have had accidents with candles starting unexpected fires.
2.   Check your tools.  Do you know where that drill is if you need to put up hurricane shutters? Have a small toolbox set aside with what you would need if you knew that a storm was headed in your direction. A hammer to board up windows, sturdy nails, a shovel, rope, work gloves and duct tape are all good items to have. Include a pair of scissors as well.  Also, rain gear…it never hurts to have boots or a fold-up poncho with your tools, as some storms bring rain days before they arrive and you will need to be outdoors preparing your home.
3.   Check your flashlights.  Make sure they are all working or replace them.  Try to have a few scattered around the house in case of power loss. Battery operated lanterns are a great option as well.   Try to get LED flashlights and lanterns, as they last longer. Have at least one flashlight for every person in your family, and ideally have a lantern or two for general lighting.
4.    Buy batteries.  You will be in a rush to get gas, water and ice, why not scratch batteries off the list well in advance?
5.    Trim your plants and trees. Don’t leave oversized branches or anything hanging over your home or roof. Also, cutting trees and leaving them on the side of the road of pick up right before a storm creates debris that could hit your home or cars.
6.    Have a plan for when to put up your shutters.  If you have accordion hurricane shutters, at the beginning of the season, make sure you take a day and close each one – this way you check the locks and ensure that you have all of the keys. We had one master key made for our shutters which is nice, but easy to misplace from one year to another, so make sure you know where everything is.  If you have storm panels, make sure you have all the screws, as you know that standard screws don’t work, and home improvement stores run out of these quickly when a storm is approaching.  As to when to put them up, listen to your local news and advisories.  Make sure you have help lined up to make the process easier. 
7.    Purchase large garbage bags.  They will come in handy for cleaning up after a storm.
8.    Keep up with your car.  Just in case you need to evacuate, you want to make sure you are up to date on your oil change and check your tire pressure as well. A few days before a storm arrives make sure you have a full tank of gas.
9.   Check your insurance policy.  Make sure there are no changes in coverage and that you understand your deductible.  Do you need flood or mold insurance separately? Photograph your valuables.
10.  Keep all of your important documents in one place.  Again if you are faced with leaving your home quickly, if you have all of your insurance documents, wills, passports, birth certificates, etc. in one place, it will be easy to pack up. Even if you stay home, by having them all in one place you can put them in a ziplock bag to prevent water damage.
11.  If you don’t already have one, consider buying a small battery-operated radio or tv.  You will need this to be able to keep up with the news if the power goes out.  Cable & cell phone service can be interrupted. 
12.  Chargers.  Make sure you have a cell phone charger that works in your car.  You may not have power for days and want to be able to stay connected with the outside world. Mophie portable charges are great to have on hand. These universal batteries come in different strengths and can power your cell phone and other electronics for hours.
13.  Restock your first aid kit.
14.  Look over your kitchen items.  Make sure you have a manual can opener, hand sanitizer, a bottle opener and disposable pans for cooking.  Plastic ziplock type bags are great to have on hand as well. Paper plates and plastic utensils will save on having to do dishes.
15.  Make sure you have an old fashioned plug-in phone.  Even if landlines are working, your cordless home phones won’t work without electricity. If you don’t have a landline, then at least consider having friends or family download an app you can use without Wi-Fi to stay in touch.  Examples of these apps include ZombieChat, The Serval Mesh, Firechat & Nextdoor.

Believe me, there will still be a lot to do if a hurricane approaches your area, but by having this list done you are sure to be more prepared and confident you won’t be missing important items.

Once a Hurricane Watch or Warning has been issued:

• Have a communication plan with friends, family and your job.  Power outages can also affect cell phone towers so don’t assume you can always use your phone.
• If you have pets either consider a boarding facility or have plans for them to be able to use the bathroom inside the home while conditions outside are unsafe. (puppy pads)  You will need to have records of the most recent vaccinations for any boarding facility or a hotel that allows pets.  While on the subject of pets, do have items ready like food, a blanket, toy and medication packed so they feel as comfortable as possible.
• Have about a gallon of water per person in your house per day – our suggestion is to have 3 to 4 days worth. Don’t forget extra water if you have pets.
• Check if you are in an evacuation zone.  You need to know what zone you are in. To find that out, go to this link. Follow local evacuations orders even if traffic is bad.
• Have plastic plates, utensils and canned goods.
• Make sure all of your prescriptions have been refilled so you have plenty on hand.
• Make sure your cell phone, I-pads, etc. are fully charged.
• Fill your car up with gas. There are often gas shortages before a storm so don’t wait until the last minute.
• Have cash on hand.  You may be able to buy groceries or food a few days after the storm, but often credit card machines won’t work when it’s a storm that has caused a lot of damage in your area.
• Store extra water (such as filling bathtubs) that can be used for flushing toilets and cleaning after the storm.
• Have bleach and hand sanitizer wipes available.
• Take photos today or tomorrow of every room, every piece of electronics & everything valuable.  Upload pictures to the cloud – Dropbox, Microsoft Cloud, iCloud, Google Drive, etc. before the storm. Take pictures of your key documents like passports & insurance policies.
• Stock up on things to do like books, games, a deck or cards, etc.
• If you have a grill, make sure your propane tank is full. Have utensils as the grill may be the only way you can cook the first few days after a big storm goes through your area.
• Turn the fridge to the coldest setting and try not to open.  Have a small cooler to keep snacks and drinks on hand without having to open the refrigerator.
• Foods that are good to have on hand include comfort food (chips, cookies, granola bars,) canned milk, trail mix, box juice, peanut butter and jelly, canned veggies, beans, chili, soups or meats.
• If you have them – put up your shutters.
• Choose a safe room that has no windows if possible to stay in during the peak of the storm.

Helpful Hurricane Hacks

Hacks to keep food hot! Chances are if you have a hurricane headed your way, you will lose power for several hours if not days. It’s time to go through the fridge and cook any expensive meats or seafood that will go bad. Plan on cooking the day before, or day the storm is heading towards you and keep the food warm to have a least one big meal before you have to switch to sandwiches and canned foods. We make sure and chop onions, peppers or whatever we will need the night before so we can focus on cooking as the storm approaches.

Here are some hacks to help keep food hot!

Insulated carrier: To keep that food hot, use an insulated food carrier – many work for up to 6 hours. Of course you want to keep your food warm in an oven, slower cooker or on the stove until power goes out.
Bricks: (yes bricks!) Take bricks, wrap them in aluminum foil and heat at 300 for 20 minutes. In the meantime, line the inside of your cooler with 2 layers of aluminum foil, which will help the hold the heat inside of the cooler. Place the hot bricks at the bottom of a cooler (be careful,) and then place the foods on top – the heat will last for several hours!
Hot socks: Take and old pair of socks & fill it with uncooked rice. Tie it in a knot and heat in the microwave for 2 to 3 minutes. These will hold heat for a while and can easily be placed on top of your prepared foods in your cooler. A hot water bottle would also work to tuck in between your food containers.
Slow cooker: Make some soup or chili in a slow cooker and keep warm. Once power goes out, either leave food there without uncovering for a couple of hours, or transfer it to a thermos where they should stay hot for 4 to 6 hours.

Posts that may interest you:

COVID-19 Travel Essentials for Flights
What to Pack In A Travel First Aid Kit
Gluten Free Hurricane Foods
Foods to Prepare Before A Hurricane

The post Hurricane Preparedness Tips & Hacks appeared first on Atlas Traveler – A Travel and Lifestyle blog from Atlastravelweb.com.