In support of National Preparedness Month (September), CableOrganizer® is raising awareness then — and every day of the year — about the importance of disaster preparation. This is to encourage each community, especially at-risk ones prone to catastrophic weather, to take every safety measure possible. Preparedness enables residents not only to survive natural disasters but recover from them as quickly as possible. One of the key elements of hurricane season preparation is equipping yourself with the appropriate supplies. We’ve compiled a checklist below to guide you through your pre-storm preparation efforts:
FOOD & WATER
At the start of hurricane season, stockpile a closet or cabinet in your kitchen or garage with at least three days' worth of nonperishable food items and bottled water for you and your family (including pets). Figure on each person requiring one gallon of water per day. Purchase foods that require no refrigeration or cooking. Granola bars, power bars, peanut butter, crackers and canned goods (like fruits, vegetables and meat) are smart choices because they'll provide you with a little variety but won't run the risk of spoiling. Keeping disposable cups, dishes and utensils on hand is also a good idea, so you'll always have clean eating utensils, even if you're unable to wash dishes.
SANITATION SUPPLIES
Before the storm hits, make sure that you're more than adequately stocked up on both personal and household sanitation supplies, like alcohol-based hand sanitizer, soaps and liquid detergents, toilet paper, tissues, paper towels, disinfectant cleaners, chlorine bleach and an ample supply of heavy-duty garbage bags.
CLEAN LAUNDRY
You never know what post-hurricane conditions may be. If you're without power or your water supply is contaminated, washing clothes may not be an option. If it's at all possible, take some time during the pre-hurricane craziness to do your laundry, so that you have plenty of clean clothing, towels and bedding to last you at least several days.
FIRST AID KIT
Be ready for everything from cuts and scrapes to sprains and insect bites by having a fully loaded first aid kit on hand. Must-have items include adhesive bandages, gauze, medical tape, tweezers, alcohol wipes, antibiotic ointment, burn gel, hydrocortisone cream and even wrap-style bandages to provide support for injured ankles or wrists.
PRESCRIPTION MEDICINES
If you or a family member is living with a health condition that requires daily prescription medication, make sure that you have enough doses on hand to last you through the storm — and up to a week of possible pharmacy downtime afterward. Remember to additionally check your supply of occasional-use medicines like asthma inhalers, antihistamines and pain relievers/fever reducers. Having an adequate supply of these can help prevent minor medical issues from flaring into full-blown emergencies when a trip to the doctor may not be an option.
SEVERE WEATHER ALERT RADIO & TEXT ALERTS
Whether a storm is drawing near, is in progress or has recently passed through your area, severe weather updates are a great way to track what's going on. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is a U.S. agency that monitors changing conditions; and issues daily weather forecasts and severe storm warnings via NWR, a nationwide network of radio stations that relay critical storm-related information to the public. Staying on top of the latest information is essential to storm safety, so equip your home with an Emergency Alert Radio, which receives warning messages and updates from all 7 NOAA broadcast channels 24/7. It is also recommended to sign up for phone and text alerts from government entities in your area that monitor the weather; and may provide information about emergency shelter, evacuation routes and more.
FLASHLIGHTS
As soon as the power goes out, the first thing you'll be reaching for is a flashlight. Make sure to have several on hand to cover all (or at least most) of the members of your household. Shop here for flashlights.
PROTECTIVE STORAGE
Delicate personal belongings like family heirlooms, photos, documents and expensive electronics can easily be destroyed by moisture and require extra consideration when you're preparing for storm season. Protect irreplaceable and valuable items in impact-resistant, Gator cases, which can withstand nearly anything a hurricane can dish out.
EMERGENCY CHARGERS
It doesn't matter if both electricity and land-based phone lines are down — communication is one thing you can't do without during and after a hurricane. While most people have the luxury of just picking up their cell phones, you need to make sure your phone battery remains strong, even when you can't recharge it from a wall outlet. CableOrganizer® has several charger types available, including ones that are wireless, USB and solar powered.
To learn more about the types of natural disasters that affect the United States and what you can do to prepare for them, visit the official government Ready and FEMA websites.
