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| CNN's Gerri Willis shares five tips on how to protect yourself and your family. (September 21) |
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NEW YORK (CNN/Money) -
The devastation brought by Hurricane Katrina is still a fresh wound. Today we're watching another potentially devastating Hurricane Rita as it charts its way through the Gulf region.
In today's five tips we'll tell you how you can keep your family safe before a hurricane strikes.
1. Get a plan.
Make sure you identify ahead of time where to go if you need to evacuate. You may opt to stay at friend's home outside the affected area or in a shelter. Contact the local emergency management office and find out what the community hurricane preparedness plan.
You can also call your local chapter of the American Red Cross. Their Web site is www.redcross.org. This plan should include information on the safest evacuation routes and nearby shelters.
Make sure you ask an out-of-town friend or family member to act as a family contact for everyone in case you are separated. After a disaster it's usually easier to call long distance rather than to make local calls.
2. Prepare your supplies.
The American Red Cross suggests you assemble a Disaster Supplies kit. You should put together enough emergency supplies to meet your needs for at least three days. These supplies should be stored in an easy-to-carry and water-resistant container. You may want to keep a smaller kit in the trunk.
According to Stephanie Millian of the Red Cross, you should pack a three-day supply of water, canned goods, a battery-powered radio, a manual can opener, copies of important documents, a first aid kit, an extra set of car keys, cash and credit cards, an extra pair of glasses or contact lenses and emergency tools, including tools to turn off utilities. Millian said that some shelters do not provide bedding for people, so you'll want to pack a blanket and a pillow as well as some toiletries.
You may also want to put together your important papers. Make sure you have all your important documents in one place. Locate your insurance policies, your wills, your birth certificate and your licenses.
3. Safeguard your indoor space.
You want to make sure that your home is as safe as possible. Place heavier items on lower shelves. Make sure pictures, mirrors and other items are hanging away from beds or couches, according to the "Personal Security Handbook," by Silver Lake Publishing.
Be sure to unplug your appliances to protect them from electrical surges. Secure your entryways, like the door. A door that does break open during a storm can compromise the rest of the house. Keep in mind that you will want to move your emergency supplies and other materials into an indoor room that does not have any windows. Turn the refrigerator thermostat to its coldest setting, according to FEMA, and keep the doors closed.
And if there's one thing you're going to need, it's a water supply. Fill the bathtub and other large containers with water. Fill sinks and bathtubs with water as an extra supply for washing. Cover windows and doors with plywood or boards or place large strips of masking tape or adhesive tape on the windows to reduce the risk of breakage and flying glass.
4. Secure the backyard.
To avoid cutting your barbeque grill down from the neighbor's tree, make sure you put away and secure any loose items. You can move trash cans, lawn chairs, pool equipment and lawn ornaments into the garage or indoors.
Don't forget to trim your trees and bushes. Old limbs and debris can cause a lot of damage if they're flying about. If you have enough advance warning, the Federal Emergency Management Agency recommends you clear loose and clogged rain gutters and downspouts.
You may also want to install storm shutters or board up your windows with plywood. If you have a boat or any other large item, be sure to secure it.
5. Get pets to safety.
Thousands of pets were left homeless after Hurricane Katrina. Take steps to prevent the loss of a pet. Red Cross shelters do not accept pets, so you'll have to make arrangements for pet care in advance. Local animal shelters will let you know what to do with your pets if you are forced to evacuate. Go to www.pets911.com to find a local shelter near you.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency recommends that people arrange to have their pets boarded or to leave their pets with friends or family. If pets must be left behind, confine your pet to a safe place inside. You should not chain your pet outside.
Make sure your furry friends are well identified. For more information on how to keep your pets safe, go to the Humane Society Web site at www.hsus.org.
Gerri Willis is a personal finance editor for CNN Business News and the host for Open House. E-mail comments to 5tips@cnn.com.
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