Preparing For Hurricanes The hurricane season is here and we must prepare ourselves for eventual storms.  Here are a few tips to help protect yourself and your family and prevent damage and/or injuries: Before the storm hits... Any loose item can become a deadly projectile that could hit your property or even a person.  To avoid this problem, secure all porch/patio furniture, garbage cans, plants and any loose items on your property.  Storing those in a properly anchored shed is ideal or you may simply tie them to a building or tree. Turn your refrigerator and/or freezer to colder settings.  Open only when necessary and close quickly.  Filling empty spaces with foozen plastic jugs of water will help preserve food in case of power failure. Have an emergency water supply ready.  Now is the time to stock on bottled water.  On average, a person drinks 48 to 64 oz of water daily.  A 7 day supply for 4 adults would require 10 to 14 gallons of drinking water.  If your water supply is well fed, fill up a bathtub with water to use for washing and flushing toilets or if you have an empty 45 or 55 gallon drum, fill it up with water for that purpose.  Remember that if you must drink water from those containers, you must boil it first. If a major hurricane, board up windows and secure awnings and doors. Stock up on canned foods to last you through the storm and until power is restored in your area. Stock up on batteries and have lanterns available in case of power failures.  Also, avoid candles if possible as they are a fire hazard and contribute to warming up your home. During the storm... Stay inside and away from windows.  Find a small windowless room such as a large closet or bathroom to weather a major storm.  Wait for the storm to be over before going outdoors.  Remember that while the eye of the hurricane passes over your area and the winds are down and the skies are clear,  the storm is not over.  The wind will return from the opposite direction. Listen to your local radio news stations on a portable battery operated radio. Use your phone in emergencies only. After the storm... Make emergency repairs but avoid touching downed electrical wires.  Contact your local power company should you see a downed power line or if the power is out.  Be patient as your local power company cannot be at all problem locations at the same time. Again, use your phone for emergencies only or to inform relatives that you are OK.  Be brief if you must call someone. If you use a portable generator, do not connect it to your home's wiring unless equipped with the properly installed switch by a licensed electrician.  Portable generators are designed to power individual appliances such as refrigerators, freezers, portable fans and the like.  Use them wisely and safely.

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