HARDWARE ITEMS
• Manual can and bottle openers.
• Folding stove, oven mitts.
• A battery-operated radio and/or television along with extra batteries
• Battery-operated lanterns and enough flashlights for each member of the family, plus extra batteries and bulbs.
• Duct tape.
• Lightweight fire extinguishers.
• Wrench to turn off household gas and water. Keep it near the shut-off valves.
• Chainsaw, gassed up, oiled and ready.
• Generator.
HOUSEWARES
•Plastic trash bags with ties and large, sealable plastic bags. Use them to protect important documents, furniture, clothing, blankets and pillows.
•Paper towels and plates, bowls, cups, detergent and plastic utensils.
•Toilet paper and personal hygiene supplies like shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, soap and tampons.
•Baby supplies such as baby food, diapers and formula.
•Matches in a waterproof container
•Camera film for ''before'' and ''after'' pictures.
•Plain chlorine bleach or iodine.
•Clean, empty containers for storing drinking water: at least one gallon per person per day.
•Ice chests or coolers.
•Pet supplies, such as cat litter, a scooper and any medicine.
FOOD
•Milk. Choose evaporated, dry powder or shelf-stable varieties.
• Canned foods like vegetables, soups, fish, meats, fruits and fruit juice.
•Toilet paper and personal hygiene supplies like shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, soap and tampons.
• Peanut butter and jelly.
• Bread, crackers, cookies, other baked goods
• Cereal and granola bars.
• Dried fruits and nuts.
• Bottled water.
• Vitamins.
• Instant drink mixes (coffee, tea, etc.).
• Pet food and bowls.
OTHER IMPORTANT ITEMS
• A road map of the area.
• Two week supply of medications. Keep copies of prescriptions.
• A first-aid kit, which might include gauze bandages, alcohol, aspirin, cotton balls, cough and diarrhea medicine, antiseptic ointment or spray for cuts, burn ointment or spray, ammonia inhalants, adhesive tape, scissors and tweezers.
• A change of clothing and footwear, and a blanket or sleeping bag for each person.
• Citronella candles and insect repellent.
• Sunscreen.
• Towels.
• An airline crate for pets.
Preparing your house for the storm
Preparing your home for a hurricane won't take as long as repairing the damage that could have been avoided with a few precautions.
Here are some tips:
• Make sure your homeowners, windstorm and flood insurance policies are effective.
• Talk with your neighbors to coordinate preparation plans; help each other out.
• Develop an evacuation plan so everyone in your family will know where to go if they have to leave.
• The greatest threat to your home in most hurricanes is not the wind itself but wind-blown debris that can break windows and doors. Bring in anything from the yard that could become wind-borne -- and ask neighbors to do the same.
• Tape will not protect your windows. If you don't have impact-resistant windows, then get shutters. Plywood panels should be a last-resort option and should be prepared and fitted beforehand. Plywood that is not properly attached to your house can rip off during high winds and become a projectile that can cause serious harm to your and your neighbor's property.
• If you buy shutters, check to make sure they meet Miami-Dade County wind-resistance standards. Standards to look for include the SBCCI Test Standard for Determining Impact Resistance from Windborne Debris (SSTD 12-97) or the ASTM Standard Specification for Performance of Exterior Windows, Glazed Curtain Walls, Doors and Storm Shutters Impacted by Windborne Debris in Hurricanes (ASTM E 1996-00).
• When shopping for shutters, ask about the weight gauge or thickness. The greater the thickness (for aluminum), the stronger the shutter. However, don't buy shutters that are too heavy to be installed efficiently before a storm.
• Reinforce the garage door and tracks with center supports. About 80 percent of residential hurricane wind damage starts with wind entry through garage doors, according to the Florida Alliance for Safe Homes.
• Consider buying shutters for the doors. Be sure to shutter any door containing a substantial amount of glass, and be prepared to wedge sliding glass doors and windows. In addition, pick one door -- such as a side door to the garage -- as an entry and exit point for the house. Ideally, that would be a steel door. If you have large attic wall vents, put shutters over them, and don't forget the skylights. Remember: any window or door being breeched by hurricane forces can contribute to roof failure, so shutter up.
• Bring inside objects that can blow away, such as your mailbox, garbage cans and lawn furniture. What you can't move, anchor down. If you have window unit air conditioners, secure them tightly.
• Take ''before'' pictures of your home and store them in a secure place where you can access them after the storm.
• Cover valuable indoor furniture with plastic. If you lose your shingles and the roof starts leaking, you may save your sofa. And remember, a large tarp or roll of heavy plastic are invaluable after a storm.
• Choose a safe room, preferably an interior hallway or bedroom with no windows, to ride out the storm. Keep a mattress and a functional fire extinguisher nearby.
What to do After the Storm Passes
Once the storm passes, it is essentially that family members remain in a secure location until such time as the authorities indicate that it is safe to venture outside.
More people are injured in a storm’s aftermath than during the actual event. Downed power lines, sharp objects, and dangerous debris are the most common culprits. Power generators should not be used indoors or in any enclosed area. It is critical that a homeowner assess all the potential danger areas before beginning any repair jobs. Your safety is our number one concern.
If your property suffered damage from the storm, you should:
• Report your claim immediately by calling our toll-free claims number
• If safe to do so, make temporary repairs as necessary to prevent further damage and protect your property. Consider contacting a water extraction company to dry out your dwelling.
• Take photos of the damage prior to making temporary repairs
• Keep detailed receipts and present them to the adjuster
Emergency Information Websites:
Florida Division of Emergency Management
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Federal Alliance for Safe Homes
Disaster Housing Resources
American Red Cross
Florida Department of Financial Services
