Buy supplies early. Don’t wait until a storm threatens. Lines will be long and supplies short. Note: The state will NOT have a hurricane tax holiday this year.
HURRICANE KIT
Assemble this now. Put aside in a special box. Keep heat-sensitive items inside home and rotate stock throughout season:
Flashlights and extra bulbs Clock (wind-up or battery-operated) Battery-operated radio Extra batteries (can be stored in refrigerator) Toilet paper Matches (camping stores have waterproof matches) Scissors Plastic garbage bags Working fire extinguisher Clean change of clothes, rain gear, sturdy swamp boots Fully charged battery-operated lanterns. Don’t use candles and kerosene lanterns. They are fire hazards. Map of the area List of phone numbers Copy of insurance policy
FOOD SUPPLIES
Get enough nonperishable foods now to last two weeks. Then put them in a box and leave them alone. Note: Canned and other prepared foods that are salty or dry or high in fat or protein might make for good provisions, but they’ll also make you thirsty.
Water: Enough for 1 gallon of drinking water per person/per day, for one-week minimum. Water for two weeks is ideal. (Also, figure another 1 gallon per person/per day of water for washing hands, flushing toilets and for pets.) Ice or dry ice Shelf-stable milk and juice boxes Canned and powdered milk Beverages (powdered or canned, fruit juices, instant coffee, tea) Raw vegetables that don’t need refrigeration (will last only a few days) Canned vegetables and fruits Dried fruits Prepared foods (canned soups, beef, spaghetti, tuna, chicken, ham, corned beef hash, packaged pudding) Snacks (crackers, cookies, hard candy, unsalted nuts) Snack spreads (peanut butter,cheese spreads, jelly) Cereals Sugar, salt, pepper Bread Dry and canned pet food HARDWARE
Hand tools: hammer, screwdrivers to use now, shovel and pickax for after the storm Power screwdriver Quarter-inch machine screw sockets and screws Plastic sheeting to cover furniture Rope Sturdy working gloves Duct tape to waterproof items; masking tape isn’t strong enough Canvas tarps Sturdy nails
FIRST-AID KIT
Drugstores will be mobbed just before a storm and closed for days after. Keep a two-week supply of prescription drugs. Your first-aid kit should include:
Medical supplies First-aid handbook Insect repellent sprays Citronella candles, insect bite lotion Petroleum jelly, for relieving itching Ointments for burns, cuts Antiseptic solution Sunscreen Extra over-the-counter medicine (for colds, allergies, cough) Aspirin, acetaminophen, antacid Children’s medicines Diarrhea medication Feminine hygiene items Incontinence supplies Rubbing alcohol Iodine Disinfectant Wet wipes Moist towelette packets Medic Alert tags Thermometer Hypoallergenic adhesive tape Cotton-tipped swabs Sterile rolls Adhesive bandages Sterile gauze pads Roller bandages Tweezers Needles Adhesive tape Safety pins Latex gloves
KITCHEN SUPPLIES
Waterless hand sanitizer Manual can opener Water purification tablets Bottle opener Matches in a plastic bag Pocket knife Camp stove or other cooking device and plentyof fuel. (Use only canned fuel indoors — never charcoal or gas. Buy extragas or charcoal to use in well-ventilated space after storm has passed.) Ice chests or coolers Paper plates, napkins Plastic cups, utensils Disposable pans for cooking Plastic bags, jugs or containers for water and ice
BABY NEEDS
Disposable diapers Baby wipes Diaper-rash ointment Baby medicines Medicine dropper Extra formula, baby food
EMERGENCY TOILET
Garbage can with tight lid Plastic bags for liners Disinfectant or bleach Deodorizer Extra toilet paper
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