20 Tips For Hurricane Safety

By Dr. Joe Alton - Disaster Preparedness Expert

Hurricane Matthew is slowly churning it way towards the U.S. with sustained winds of 140 mph or more, and the potential for major damage and loss of life exists for many coastal areas.

Hurricanes can certainly be dangerous, but they don't have to be life-threatening for those who prepare. Unlike tornadoes, which can pop up suddenly, hurricanes are first identified when they are hundreds, if not thousands of miles away. We can watch their development and have a good idea of how bad the situation might be and how much time we have to get ready.

Here are a few tips to help those preparing for the worst, while hoping for the best:

HITTING THE ROAD

1. Make a G.O.O.D. (Get Out Of Dodge) decision: Rugged individualists may want to ride out the storm, but some coastal residents would be best served by hitting the road. When the authorities say it's time to evacuate, you should be ready to go. Don't forget to turn off the power, gas, and water before you leave.

2. Have a "GO" bag: Always have a set of supplies ready to take with you on short notice. Non-perishable food, bottled water, extra clothing, flashlights and batteries, a NOAA weather radio, medicines, and a first aid kit are just a few of the items that will ensure your survival. Although you'll see recommendations to have a 72 hour supply, this figure is arbitrary, and a week's worth would be even better.

3. Have cash on hand: Power for credit card verification could be down after a hurricane; if you don't keep some cash on hand, you'll have a power shortage: Purchasing power.

Let's say you haven't received an evacuation order, and you're going to ride out the storm in place. Here are some considerations you want to take into account:

FOOD

4. Keep it Cold: Have the refrigerator and freezer down to their coldest settings so that food will take longer to spoil.

5. Collect Ice: Collect ice in plastic bags and place them throughout to prolong freshness. If there are open spots, fill Tupperware containers or plastic soda bottles/milk jugs with water, freeze them, and place them in the spaces. The fuller the fridge is, the longer the items in it will stay cool.

6. Wrap It in Foil: Wrap food items in aluminum foil, eliminating air pockets, and cram the foil packs together as closely as possible.

7. Eat the Perishables Now: Eat the perishables first, canned foods later.

8. Keep It Closed: Don't leave the refrigerator door open while deciding what food to take out. Visualize where a particular item is and then open the door. Close it as quickly as possible.

WATER

9. Water, Water everywhere: Have a stockpile of 5 gallon bottles of water or a plentiful supply of smaller bottles.

10. Fill the Tub: Fill all bathtubs with water. You might think this is overkill, but every member of your family needs 1 gallon of water per day. It goes fast.

11. Drink the Melted Ice: As refrigerated ice in containers melts, don't waste it. Use it as an additional source of drinking water.

SHELTER

12. Put Up The Shutters: If you have hurricane shutters, put them up at least 24 hours before hurricane landfall. It's no fun to have to stand on a ladder in gale force winds and pouring rain to install them. Been there, done that.

13. Move Furniture/Plants Inside: Move the patio furniture and potted plants indoors. If you can't for some reason, chain them together against an outer wall downwind from the direction of the storm.

14. Pick a "Safe Room": Choose a room in the interior of the home, preferably one without unshuttered windows.

15. Place candles in pans: Candles can be knocked over by winds and cause fires. If you must use them, stick them in a pan with shiny sides that would be deep enough to cover the flame.

16. Have Tarps at the Ready: Large tarps can be used to cover windows and, after the storm, to cover any areas of the roof that might have been damaged.

OTHER IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS

17. The Kids: Have board games, toys, and books to keep the children's minds off scary winds. If you're evacuating, let kids bring their favorite stuffed animals, blanket, or pillow to keep them calm.

18. Your Other Kids: Don't forget to take into account the needs of your pets. Have food, water, and their favorite toy available, whether you leave or stay at home.

19. Your Other, Other Kid: Make sure your car is in good working order and filled with gas. Having some spare gas cans will be useful in case of a shortage at the pumps, and can be used to run generators (although never inside).

20. Keep your radio on: A NOAA weather radio, battery-powered or hand-cranked, will be an important source of information on the progress of the storm, and for community updates.

Being prepared for a hurricane can make sure that the storm will be just a bump in the road, and not the end of the road for you and your family. Have a plan of action, get some supplies, and you'll join the ranks of the few, the proud, the prepared!

Joe Alton, M.D. is a disaster preparedness expert, member of the Wilderness Medical Society, and NY Times/Amazon bestselling author of "The Survival Medicine Handbook: THE essential guide for when medical help is NOT on the way" and other books. Dr. Alton has also written the just-released and timely "The Zika Virus Handbook". Dr. Alton is a well known speaker and host of The Doom and Bloom™ Survival Medicine Hour syndicated podcast.