Emergency Preparedness

We are not likely to forget the 2005jurricane season.the first named storm formed on 8 m June and the last of 28 troical stormsw lost its status as a tropical storm on 6 January 2006. In between werey26rotherfropical storms including seven category 3 or higher hurricanes.l

Why rite aboutithis on the 15th of May? If thisyear's hurricane season is similar to last year’s we should be starting to hear about Personal storms forming in the next several weeks.

The key to getting though a major storm is preparation. Many different organizations offt r a variety of fact sheets, check lists and other publications to help your family get through a major storm: the USDA, Food Safety and Inspection Services, the American Red Cross, the University of Miami, offer assistance in disaster preparation.

A summary of the recommendations from these organizations is as follows:

Emergency Supplies at Home

• A 2-week supply of prescription medicines as well as a supply of other medicines your family uses.
• A fully stocked first aid kit along with hydrogen peroxide and sanitizer soaps for hand washing.
• A portable battery operated radio with at least an extra set of batteries.
• At least one flashlight per family member. Even the younger members may feel safer with their own flashlight.
• If you don’t use you flashlights on a regular basis, you can take out the batteries and reverse at least one battery.  Put them nose to nose inside the flashlight. The flashlight will not work until you take the batteries out and put them in correctly, but this may reduce the chance the batteries will drain or corrode and be unusable after a long storage time. Another hint is to tape at least one set of batteries to the flashlight case. You’ll know you have to put them in.
• Personal hygiene articles, including soap, toothpaste and toothbrushes, baby wipes, sanitizing soap, paper towels, baby diapers, etc. If you have to evacuate, the products you have in you emergency supplies may be all you’ll have for the first few days.
• Pillows, blankets, sleeping bags.
• Games and reading materials.
• Basic tools including; a hammer, combination screwdriver, pliers and open end wrench.
• Unscented household bleach
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