How To Prepare And Stay Safe During Hurricane?

You cannot ignore the importance of preparation and safety measures for hurricanes. They solely determine if you can survive the severe impact of the tropical storm, brisk winds, or not.

No one indeed wants to face the impact of a hurricane. We all hope that the hurricane takes a sideway away from human presence. But it is a bitter truth that they could lead to land havoc sooner or later.

Your preparation and safety measures greatly determine whether you will live or die. Therefore, we bring you this guide on “How to prepare and stay safe during a hurricane?” Following this guide, there is no doubt that you can’t survive the hurricane’s impact. Sounds exciting? Let’s dive in!

Preparatory Measures for a Hurricane

In preparatory measures, you need to follow these steps. This will prevent you and keep you safe in an emergency.

1.   Planning

Collect and save emergency numbers in your phone or phone directory. Doing this will help you in an emergency. Keep an emergency kit on board. The kit may refer to the first aid box. Point out shelter locations and routes in your vicinity. They also add up to your safety. If you have pets, then hand them to a relative or friend living out of town.

2.   Collect Emergency Supplies

Ensure you have sufficient water, food, or medicine for an emergency. Arrange a flashlight with extra batteries. It will help you in assisting through the darker areas, especially at night.

Gather essential documents, including passports, wills, medical documents, etc. The documents help in your identification and aid in emergencies. Place a fire extinguisher in case a fire catches up in some area.

3.   Getting Yourself Ready

Make sure that your car has enough fuel or gas. This way, you can get to any point without losing enough time. Locate your vehicles, including trucks or cars, undercover or in the garage.

You can use a generator if necessary. This will help when there is an electricity shortfall and you need proper illumination. It will aid you in identifying things/objects in a more precise way.

There is a variety of generators that exist in the market. The most popular types you can use include dual-fuel generators, portable generators, and quiet generators, etc.

Portable generators allow you to take them anywhere you need. They are easy to carry and move around, featuring lightweight.

Quiet generators, on the other hand, have zero noise features. You can use them without disturbing your neighbors.

This will prevent further damage to them in severe hurricanes. Lace your car with the proper emergency kit. The kit may include food, medicines, car accessories, etc. You can also avail of authority evacuation services if you don’t have a vehicle. They will locate you in a safer place.

4.   Home Preparation

Leave nothing in your yard that can blow with the storm and damage your home. These things include propane tanks, grills, furniture, bikes, etc. Cover the doors and windows. Make use of plywood or storm shutters to prevent damaging your windows from breaking.

Switch off your main power. In case you experience severe flooding, keep the power down. Take containers and fill them with clean water for drinking purposes. This will prevent you from losing your water supply. Assess the CO carbon monoxide battery condition. It will help you prevent excessive CO in the atmosphere.

5.   Evacuation/ Staying Preparations

The evacuation, as well as staying preparation, varies. The measures during an evacuation are as follows:

While Evacuating

• Take a supply kit for an emergency. Ensure it contains medicine, cell phone, charger, license, cash, etc.
• Cut the power to your house appliances. Also, turn off the water and gas supply to various appliances.
• Take the route guidelines from workers working in emergencies. Avoid flooded areas. If you do, you may stick up in these areas.
• Reach your local emergency department to see if they offer any accommodation. You can also enquire about pet accommodation as well.

While Staying

Prepare and stay safe during hurricane while staying at your home:

• Keep the kit containing emergency supplies in close reach
• Stay updated with the TV or Radio broadcasts regarding hurricane
• Remain inside your house. Don’t leave your house. Until or unless you receive a message about the ending of the hurricane. The reason is some hurricane gets mild in the middle while in the end worst.
• Don’t be close to the glass windows. If they break, they may directly hurt you and lead you to severe injury.
• Always be ready to evacuate. Anything can happen. Stay connected with the emergency authorities to cope with the situation.

Safety Measures For a Hurricane

There are several safety measures that you can follow to remain safe during or after the hurricane. Some key measures include:

1.   Stay Away From Floodwater

Stay aware of flooded routes. Your vehicle may stick in or sweep away by flood water. So, avoid going to these areas. Keep a life jacket and wear it if you are experiencing a rising water level. Suppose you interact with flood water. Then practice washing hands with a bar of soap, sanitizer, or alcohol. Floodwater contains several germs due to livestock waste, stray animals, dangerous chemicals, etc. These germs may cause bacterial infections or diseases.

2.   Prevent CO Poisoning

CO results from burning. It may be due to charcoal grills, camp stoves, generators, etc. This gas does not have an odor or appearance. Therefore, you cannot detect it. If this occurs, it may lead to sudden death or illness.

Don’t use a camp stove or coal-burning equipment within your house, garage, or basement. If necessary, do it outside.

Use a CO detector if you use a coal burner or camp stove. It may help detect the CO inside. In case you detect Co in your house, then inform 911 immediately.

3.   Avoid Entering Damaged Buildings

Avoid entering a building that has experienced partial or complete damage to take shelter. Until an emergency, local authorities render it safe. Evacuate the building or home if you come across unusual shifting or noises. These noises indicate an expected falling off a building.

4.   Ensure Protection From Pests/Animals

Always keep in your house an insect repellent or a bug spray. Wear complete clothes if you are going out.

Don’t go close to the stray or wild animals after the storm has ended. Inform 911 and report their exact location. Inform local officials if animals are dead. This will prevent insects and larvae formations and disease spread.

5.   Be Careful With Injuries or Wounds

There is a high chance that you may receive an injury during a hurricane. If so, then do the following:

Get first aid instantly to seal smaller wounds and prevent the infection. Make sure to have sufficient information about this, especially ensure better hygiene and washing. You cannot underestimate its importance when it comes to diseases or illnesses. While prepare and stay safe during hurricane clean and clear water is key to maintaining hygiene. Also, it may be harder for you to find clear water in a hurricane.

6.   Emotional Health Matters

Emotional health plays a great role in faster recovery from a disaster. In such times, reaching out to your family, friend, or community help you share worse feelings.

This way, you can take care of each other in a better way. This will also bring peace that you are not alone in this situation.