WELLNESS WEDNESDAY (ON FRIDAY): PREPARING FOR A HURRICANE

PREPARING FOR A STORM

1. Go to the bank or ATM
2. Make sure your car is filled with gas
3. Charge all telephones, tablets, etc
4. Be sure to have plenty of medications
5. Plan on a minimum of 72 hours of food, water and supplies
6. Put food and supplies you need in airtight plastic bags or containers.
7. Fill your tub; you can use the water to flush toilets
8. If you have a generator, be sure it is ready and working
9. Have enough flashlights on hands.
10. Stock up on batteries for flashlights, radios and kids video games
11. Determine where you will go if you plan to evacuate. If you need to go to a shelter, find out where the shelter will be. Most shelters do not allow pets, so decide how you will care for them.
12. Put an appliance thermometer in the refrigerator and freezer so that, if the power goes out, you can check that food stays at a safe temperature. Make sure the freezer is at 0°F or below and the refrigerator is at 40°F or below
13. Have coolers on hand to keep refrigerated food cold if the power will be out for more than 4 hours. Purchase or make ice cubes and store in the freezer for use in the refrigerator or in a cooler. Freeze gel packs ahead of time for use in coolers.
14. If your home is at risk for flooding; Move all valuables to higher levels.
15. Prepare for high winds by boarding up windows and other glass and anchoring outside objects.
16. Identify loose items located outside, such as lawn furniture, grills, toys, and yard equipment that should be brought inside before a storm.

THREE DAY SUPPLY KIT

Gather an easy to carry, watertight container – a large, plastic trash or line a sturdy cardboard box with a couple of trash bags. Place the following items and place them in your kit:

Water: 1 gallon per person per day. Fill plastic containers, such as soft-drink bottles.

Water purification kit or bleach (use eight drops of regular bleach per gallon of water.

Essential medications

First-aid book and kit that includes:

- 20 emergency bandages of various sizes
- One 5 x 9 sterile dressing
- One roll of self-adhering elastic bandage
- Four various-sized sterile gauze pads
- One roll of 3-inch cohesive bandage
- Waterless alcohol-based sanitizer and wipes
- Medical grade non-latex gloves
- Adhesive tape, 2-inch width
- Anti-bacterial ointment
- Cold pack
- Small scissors
- Tweezers
- CPR breathing barrier, such as a face shield
- Non-prescription drugs (e.g., aspirin or non-aspirin pain relievers)

Ready-to-eat, non-perishable foods, such as canned meats, granola bars, instant soup and cereals, fruits and vegetables, canned or box juices, peanut butter, jelly, crackers, granola bars, trail mix, bread and any special dietary items you and your family need.

Manual can opener

Baby supplies: formula, bottle, pacifier, soap, baby powder, clothing, blankets, baby wipes, disposable diapers, canned food and juices

Food, water, leash and carrier for pets

Sanitary Items:

- Large, plastic trash bags for waste and to use as tarps and rain ponchos
- Towelettes
- Bar soap and liquid detergent
- Shampoo
- Toothpaste and toothbrushes
- Feminine hygiene supplies
- Toilet paper
- Household bleach for cleaning
- Rubber gloves

Blanket or sleeping bag per person

Battery-powered, portable radio or portable TV and plenty of extra batteries

Flashlight and extra batteries

Extra pair of eyeglasses

Extra house and car keys

Fire extinguisher (ABC-type)

Cash and change

Seasonal change of clothing, including sturdy shoes

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Call if you have questions:  910-799-6262