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Hurricanes can be hazardous – especially if you’re not well prepared.

This article will discuss 25 hurricane preparedness checklist must-haves in order to be prepared for one.

Your Hurricane Preparedness Checklist

Knowing how to prepare for a hurricane is the first step towards ensuring you and your loved ones are safe throughout the hurricane season.

Remember, hurricanes can damage property and cut off the power supply.

The whole experience can be traumatizing which is why having your hurricane supply list and hurricane survival kit ready comes in handy in the event of an emergency.

What is a Hurricane?

A hurricane is a huge spinning storm with high-speed winds which develop over warm waters in tropical regions.

Hurricanes comprise an area of reduced air pressure in the middle referred to as the eye and constant winds of approximately 74 miles per hour.

Here are various tips on what to buy for a hurricane to ensure you and your loved ones are prepared.

Hurricane Katrina Day by Day

1. Water and Water Containers

Water is an essential commodity that should be top in your hurricane prep list.

Every person in your home will need at least one gallon of drinking water for two weeks.

Remember to store sufficient water for cleaning, cooking, and drinking water for your pets as well and don’t forget water purification and filtration supplies.

During a hurricane, water will be sold out in stores fast and you will want to store as much water as you can to sustain you throughout the storm.

While unopened bottled water is the best, you may want to store more water in water containers.

In such an event, use food standard water storage containers. Wash them thoroughly and sanitize them before filling them with water.

2. Food Storage

Many hurricanes will last anywhere between 12 and 24 hours and the amount of time it takes a hurricane to pass depends on its speed.

Even though they may pass within this time frame, because of the destruction they can cause, you’ll need sufficient food and water in your grocery list to last at least 7 days.

Remember, it’ll take time before everything goes back to normal and food could become scarce.

When you’re shopping for your hurricane supplies, your food list should include canned and packaged non-perishable food as well as enough fuel to do outside cooking in case of a power blackout.

3. Waterproof Containers

Since it’s impossible to predict the intensity of the storm, you need to be extra cautious when it comes to packing and storing important documents – like special photos of your family, your wedding licenses and social security cards, maps, and driver’s licenses among other essential documents.

One of the best hurricane items you can use is waterproof containers. With these, you can be sure your vital documents are safe.

4. Solar Power

A solar generator comes in handy during a power blackout.

The good thing about solar generators is that they don’t use gasoline, propane, or any other flammable substances.

You can easily and safely run them inside your home and even use them to power your phone and other small electronics.

A solar generator should be among your hurricane supplies list, but it’s important to note that a portable solar panel will serve you better than a residential solar panel.

Often, the latter is connected to the power grid which means they will go off when the grid gets disconnected.

With a portable panel, however, you can continue using them even when the main grid is off.

5. Manual Can Opener

Include a manual can opener in your hurricane preparedness list 2017 if you don’t already have one.

It will help you open your canned food in the event of a power outage.

6. Extra Cash

You may need some cash to purchase various hurricane essentials when the hurricane has subsided.

You may want to get your cash in small denominations to help with easy and fast transactions.

7. Waterproof Matches

Waterproof matches are ideal during a severe storm, but don’t worry if you can’t find them in your local store.

You can also purchase regular matches and store them in plastic waterproof containers to ensure they remain dry and safe throughout the hurricane season.

8. Personal Hygiene items or Sanitation Supplies

Diseases can spread fast especially during an emergency.

You’ll need to maintain high standards of hygiene and washing your hands, bathing with soap, and using clean and disinfected water is the best way to consistently keep yourself clean and sanitary.

9. Medication and Emergency Kits

If you have young kids or elderly people in your home, they could experience sickness from the circumstances and sudden change of weather.

If someone in your family is on the medication you’ll need to have them ready early in advance.

Ensure your emergency first aid kit and both prescription and non-prescription medications are on standby.

10. Means of Communication and Light

Get a battery operated radio, a clock, and a flashlight.

Your hurricane checklist should include enough extra batteries to support you through the storm.

Listen to the radio for weather updates on the water situation and the storm in general.

11. Storm Panels or Hurricane Shutters

If you live in a hurricane-prone region, you may want to purchase storm panels or hurricane shutters to shield your doors and windows from flying debris and strong winds.

Should you tape windows during a hurricane?

One of the myths revolving around hurricanes is that securing your windows using duct tape can help minimize shuttering.

Recent studies conducted by National Hurricane Center experts suggest that taping windows can produce bigger and more dangerous fragments of glass during strong winds.

You can avoid this by either purchasing or making storm shutters yourself.

hurricane preparedness checklist

12. Extra Pillows, Clothes, and Blankets

You’ll want to make sure and store your extra clothing in waterproof containers. 

Having dry clothes on hand is a necessity for keeping yourself and your loved ones healthy.

13. Entertainment items

Staying indoors for prolonged periods can get boring especially for young children.

Have some board games, cards, drawing pads, and toys ready to keep you and the children busy.

14. Tarps or Plastic Sheeting

Once the hurricane is over, you may want to use tarps or plastic sheeting to cover any damage or holes on your roof before you get it fixed.

Make sure that your plastic sheeting or tarps are in good condition. Heavy winds can easily damage them.

15. Flood Insurance

Hurricanes can be destructive and leave your property severely damaged.

If you’re in a hurricane or flood zone may want to insure your entire property and home against floods.

If you already have insurance cover, make sure your policy includes hurricanes and other natural calamities.

16. An Efficient Communication or Evacuation plan

Make sure you understand your strategy well before any hurricane strikes.

17. Tools for Fixing Problems Around your Home

Make sure that your hurricane supply list includes essential tools to help you fix small problems around your home.

Some of the tools you’ll want to have on hand include; a screwdriver, leather gloves, a rope, shovel, foot and head bolts for your doors, and window and roof repair tools.

18. Pet and Childcare Products

If you have pets and young children, what’s the ideal food to buy for a hurricane?

You need to purchase enough food for your children to last throughout the storm – you want to have sufficient food for your pets as well.

Other essentials in this category include clothing, wipes, formula, diapers, medication, feeding bottles, and other critical items that will help you care for your pets and children with minimal struggle.

19. Insect Repellent

An insect repellent is a critical item you shouldn’t miss in your hurricane shopping list.

It’s worth noting that stagnant water and heavy winds will attract various insects such as mosquitoes after the storm.

After the storm mosquitoes will be hungry and potentially deadly.

You’ll want to protect your family from contracting diseases necessitated by mosquito bites.

20. Whistles

Perhaps you’re wondering why you’d need a flare and a whistle.

These items will help you be able to signal for help.

Unlike shouting or even yelling, whistles are more effective because they can be heard more than your voice.

Whistles shouldn’t be missing in your hurricane prep list.

21. Cell Phones with Backup Batteries and Functional Chargers

During a severe storm, you’ll want to constantly keep in touch with your loved ones.

What’s more, your relatives will want to stay connected with you to know the situation on the ground.

To keep the communication going, you’ll need to have well-powered cellphones complete with extra batteries and functional chargers.

These will help you call in for help in case of an emergency.

22. Emergency Contact Information for Your Family and Relatives

Have relatives’ contact information in an easily accessible place to facilitate easy and fast communication in case of an emergency.

23. Camera

A good camera will come in handy to help you take immediate photos of potential damage.

24. A Map of Your Area

Understand your area well and have a clear map for easy accessibility should you need evacuation services.

25. Charcoal and Garbage Bags

Keeping emergency charcoal on hand will not only keep you warm, but it’ll also help you cook and warm your food in case of a power outage.

You’ll also need garbage bags to keep your waste in before the situation improves and garbage collection services resume.

Finally

Never let a hurricane catch you off guard.

Embracing this preparation checklist will come in handy to ensure you and your loved ones stay safe.

You can also check an interesting article on how to measure your roof for repairs

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