| Introduction | | | | for your car and workplace, but let's focus |
| | | | on those kept at home. |
| Part 1 of this article on preparing for | | | | |
| weather emergencies discussed forming an | | | | Depending on the types of threats you may |
| emergency plan to reduce the stress and worry | | | | face, you could need two sorts - one if you |
| of facing a full blown weather crisis. | | | | have to leave and another if you are staying. |
| | | | |
| The focus was on safeguarding your family by | | | | They should be designed to meet the |
| planning well in advance of any threat. | | | | particular needs of you and your family in |
| | | | the sorts of emergency you are most likely to |
| This, the second half of the article, looks | | | | face. For more information, visit the FEMA |
| at two things. | | | | website, and check out their excellent manual |
| | | | at |
| Preparing your home to survive severe | | | | |
| weather, and securing it in case you have to | | | | Here are a few suggestions. |
| leave. | | | | |
| | | | If you have to evacuate, your destination |
| Coping with evacuation or temporary | | | | will probably provide food and shelter. |
| isolation, and assembling one or more | | | | Clothing and special needs - baby and infant |
| emergency kits. | | | | needs, prescription and basic medical |
| | | | supplies - are the most important. Include |
| Home Security | | | | extra warm clothes - heating may not be |
| | | | efficient. Food treats and special toys will |
| Some forms of weather related emergency are | | | | make things easier for children. Some basic |
| capable of destroying your home no matter | | | | food and a couple of gallons of bottled water |
| what you do - floods, tornadoes and Category | | | | are always worth including just in case. A |
| 5 hurricanes come to mind. | | | | "keep your hands off" supply of emergency |
| | | | cash is also a great idea. |
| But long term preparation and a clear plan | | | | |
| for when severe weather is approaching can do | | | | Alternatively, if you are likely to be |
| a lot to protect your home from damage or | | | | isolated and unable to leave your home for a |
| destruction. Or to protect you if you are | | | | while, assemble a kit which will keep you |
| inside. | | | | supplied for at least three days. Assume you |
| | | | will have no power, heat, water or waste |
| So put together a plan about securing your | | | | disposal. |
| home and loading valuables and essential | | | | |
| supplies into your vehicle in case you have | | | | The essentials are plenty of water - allow 1 |
| to leave quickly. | | | | gallon (4.5l) per person per day, of which |
| | | | half will be drinking water. Commercial |
| Such tasks are made easier if you have been | | | | bottled water is a good choice. Include non |
| able to assemble suitable tools and equipment | | | | perishable food, preferably low salt, and |
| well before the problems arise. | | | | don't forget a manual can opener. You'll need |
| | | | a battery powered radio and a flashlight, |
| Long term plans could include adding roof | | | | both with plenty of extra batteries, and a |
| ties or even strapping down your house if | | | | first aid kit. |
| strong winds are likely, or reinforcing an | | | | |
| interior ground floor room to provide refuge | | | | A camp stove and gas bottles are a great |
| from destructive winds. | | | | addition, and you'll need some cooking gear |
| | | | and some matches in a water proof container. |
| Between a threat developing and dangerous | | | | Make sure you have enough infant or special |
| weather arriving, there is usually some time | | | | needs, plus any necessary medication. And |
| to add protection to your home. Boarding up | | | | warm clothes should be included, plus strong |
| windows if faced with strong winds, or | | | | shoes. |
| cutting back flammable vegetation and | | | | |
| cleaning gutters if faced with a wildfire are | | | | Now much of this gear will be in your house |
| worthwhile tasks if you have the time. | | | | anyway, but the point of this kit is that it |
| | | | can double for an evacuation kit, and will be |
| And as a last minute job, store outdoor | | | | ideal if your destination is somewhere other |
| furniture securely - apart from the | | | | than relatives or an emergency shelter. |
| probability of loss, a strong wind can turn | | | | |
| them into effective missiles that could be | | | | And Finally..... |
| directed at your home. | | | | |
| | | | OK, you've given up some of your valuable |
| Finally, know how and where to turn off | | | | time and made your plans for all likely |
| utilities - water, gas, power - and make sure | | | | eventualities. Chances are you'll never have |
| other family members know it too. | | | | to use them, but things happen, and the |
| | | | hundred year flood may turn up next year. You |
| Emergency Kits | | | | can now relax and know you've done your best |
| | | | to protect your family and your home. |
| An Emergency Kit is a pre-packed container | | | | |
| which you can grab instantly if faced with a | | | | One more thing. Include in your plans some |
| threatening situation. It should hold | | | | time in a year or so to review everything, to |
| everything you will need if you are cut off | | | | make sure everyone understands the plan, and |
| from utilities and supplies, and should be | | | | to go through the emergency kits and replace |
| kept separate from products and tools which | | | | anything that's damaged or out of date. It |
| you use everyday or for recreation. | | | | won't take long, and you'll be ready for |
| | | | anything. |
| It is also worth considering permanent kits | | | | |