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TOP HURRICANE TIPS
1. First, get important papers and special photos in
order and secured in plastic. Identification is
difficult and time-consuming to replace: so be sure to
include social security cards, birth certificates, high
school diplomas or GED certificates, titles or deeds to
property. Photos of special occasions or loved ones
cannot be replaced, so including these is important as
well.
2. Think ahead and take video or photos of your property
before you leave. This will help later on with any
insurance checklist claims for damage that may need to
be filed.
3. If staying with relatives is not an option, consider
booking a room in a hotel or motel in another nearby
town or state. Make sure to get directions and put them
in the car ahead of time. It is easy to forget that
piece of paper in the rush out the door. A cheaper route
might be to find temporary hurricane shelters. Usually
nearby towns not in the direct path of the hurricane
will provide these for people in need.
4. Unfortunately, it is unlikely that your pet will have
a place in a motel or hotel. Keep this in mind and try
to find alternate housing for your loved one until it is
safe to return, or check out pet-friendly hotels in your
area.
5. Designate a spot, in the hall closet, to keep a bag
of clothes for each person in the household. Make sure
to include sleeping gear if you plan on going to a
temporary shelter.
6. Along with overnight clothes, consider stocking your
Hurricane Kit with the following: extra cash, generator,
batteries, flash lights, battery operated
radio/television, bottled water, toilet paper,
non-perishable foods such as cereal or crackers, canned
goods, can opener, a small cooler, candles, prescription
medicines and any over-the-counter remedies you use
regularly; and if you have small children - diapers,
baby wipes, formula, baby food.
7. Count on the power being out for at least a day or
two. Remember that ATM's will be non-operating, so have
at least some hard cash in your Hurricane Kit (see no.
6, above) to see you through the storm.
When TV and computer games no longer operate, board
games or a deck of cards come in handy! Arts and crafts,
crayons and downloadable coloring pages are always great
distractions for the kids - so make sure you've stored
some of these supplies in a tote bag or in the car
trunk.
8. If you decide to tough out the storm, stay downwind
in your home. This means if the wind is hitting the
living room windows, go to the room opposite the living
room.
9. Finally, STAY INSIDE. However tempting it may be to
videotape or take photos of the storm, be sure to shoot
from indoors - where it's safe, and dry!
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