How to Stock Up For Hurricane Season
Though Florida’s weather has been relatively calm over the past several years, 2017’s hurricane season is predicted to break that habit. Experts say that this year is likely to see an unusual amount of storm activity. Don’t be caught off guard! An imminent storm is bad enough on its own without having to rush to prepare. Avoid the panic and start preparing now with these useful items.
Water
The most important item to have on hand in plentiful supply is water. You’ll want at least a three-day supply. That’s three gallons a day per person, plus enough for your pets. In addition, keep a good amount of water purification tablets to use in case your water supply becomes tainted.
Food
As with water, you’ll want to keep a three-day supply of food. Dry staples such as beans and rice are always a good place to start as they keep for longer than many other foods if properly stored. Canned foods such as tuna and soups are another option that have a long shelf life and require little to no preparation, unlike dry beans and rice. And don’t forget your furry friends! Pets will need a three-day supply of food on hand as well.
Cooking Supplies
Since we’re talking about food, we also have to mention cooking supplies. If you have a gas stove, you may still be able to use it even if the power is out, but if you have an electric stove, you’ll have to make special preparations. Think about what you might want to use if you were on a camping trip. A small, portable grill or camping stove could come in handy, as well as small cooking fuel cans and plenty of matches or lighters, charcoal, and lighter fluid. You’ll also want to be sure to have a quality cooler so all the food in your fridge doesn’t go to waste, and extra water for washing dishes after use.
Baby Supplies
If you’ve got little ones, you already know there’s no such thing as having too many diapers on hand. It’s a good idea to have a backup stash (again, a three-day supply), or even a few reusable cloth diapers, in case the weather prevents you from replenishing your stock. Even if this hurricane season turns out to be a mild one, you know you’ll use them eventually! The same goes for formula and baby food. Have a backup supply and rotate it regularly. If your little one uses bottles, you’ll need to be able to sterilize them even during a power outage. Keep a large pot and extra water available so that bottles can be boiled.
Gear
Quality flashlights and plenty of batteries are always a must. You’ll also want to make sure that you have a well-stocked first-aid kit including over-the-counter painkillers and anti-diarrhea medicine. Be sure that none of the items in your kit are expired. Rain gear, such as galoshes, raincoats, and umbrellas may also come in handy.
Toiletries
Be sure to have enough toilet paper as getting more at the store may not be an option. Also, stock up on wet wipes so that even if your water is shut off, you can still freshen up. Extra feminine products, hand sanitizer, and mouthwash (for brushing your teeth in case of tap water contamination) are good to have on hand as well.
Medications
Though you should have a three-day supply of most other necessities, medication is an exception. You will need to have two weeks’ worth in case pharmacies are closed or have difficulty getting your particular prescription in the aftermath of a serious storm. Keep copies of your prescriptions easily accessible along with your doctor’s contact information and any other important medical paperwork.
Making sure you have these useful items puts you ahead of whatever the weather might throw at us this hurricane season. To further set your mind at ease, contact us today for a free estimate on impact windows and storm shutters to protect your home. You can never be too prepared!
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