If you decide to stay in your home during a hurricane or if local officials recommend sheltering-in-place for other emergencies, be sure to have enough supplies on hand and do the following:
- Review your family disaster plan, and your pet plan.
- Have a disaster supply kit handy.
- Have enough food and water for at least three days, preferably seven, for each person in your household. (Stored water should be changed every six months).
- Stock extra supplies such as batteries for flashlights and radios.
- Listen to local radio and television for instructions.
- Stay alert to weather advisories, and know the difference between a weather Watch and a weather Warning.
- If a hurricane is approaching, board up windows and secure lawn furniture, mowers, hanging plants, trash cans and other loose items in the yard.
- Check on your neighbors, particularly the elderly or disabled.
- If a storm hits, gather your family in a safe room. (An interior room with no windows).
- After a storm, watch out for downed power lines.
- If the power is out, do not use candles or open flames as a light source.
- Only use the telephone for important calls so lines will be available for emergency calls.
- Following any disaster, listen to local officials for the all clear.
