http://www.hurricanesafetyzone.com/hurricane-safety/ Hurricane safety guidelines should be put into practice in the event of a hurricane. Heed this hurricane safety advice to try to avoid being in the same situation as the victims of Hurricane Katrina. en-us Sun, 13 Nov 2005 14:42:35 EST Sun, 13 Nov 2005 14:42:35 EST Weblog Editor 2.0 Do you know the "rules" of hurricane safety? While there are no hard and fast rules, there are basic, common-sense guidelines. If there's one thing we've all learned in recent days, it's to take forecasters seriously when they say a hurricane is headed your way. If hurricane evacuations are announced, evacuate. Don't try to play hero and brave the storm. If you consider doing that, think of all the people in New Orleans and Mississippi who have done that and keep in mind what they're going through now as a result of Hurricane Katrina. Why Hurricane Safety Should Be Paramount If you live in a coastal area, knowing the guidelines for hurricane safety is of the utmost importance. Most hurricanes are predictable, but as evidenced so frequently in the past, they can change direction at the last minute. That's why if you are within the "Cone of Uncertainty" as many meteorologists call it, you should start making hurricane preparations. If you have hurricane shutters, put them up. That's one of the best safety products you can buy when it comes to protecting your house. If you have valuable documents and family pictures that you don't want ruined, put them in a watertight container on a high shelf in case of flooding. Your first priority when it comes to hurricane safety should always be the safety of yourself and your family. If you're told to evacuate, do it. First, put any outdoor items like outdoor furniture, play equipment, plants, grills, etc. inside. Then, put up hurricane shutters. Next pack, taking anything that can't be replaced (pictures, important documents, etc.) with you. Then get in your car and drive as far away from the storm as possible. And don't wait until the storm starts. Do it before the rain and wind start. Yes, you'll probably have to wait in line for gas, and yes, the traffic will probably be heavy. And yes, there's a chance that it will all be for nothing, meaning that nothing bad will happen. But that's a good thing! You can think of it as a mini-vacation. The problem is that people who do all of this work each time there's a hurricane become "brave." Then they stay put when a hurricane is forecast to hit their area. It's like the people in the Gulf states now who say, "I survived Camille, I'll survive Katrina." Most of them regret that statement now, if they're still alive. Many are not. Here's a short list of what to bring with you to ensure hurricane safety while in the process of evacuating: Maps - In case the routes you know are impassable Food and bottled water - In case you get stranded in your car for some reason Prescription medications A first aid kit Pillows and sleeping bags - Again, in case you get stranded somewhere A non-electric can opener Cell phone and a cell phone charger that can be used in your car's power outlet Hurricane Safety After the Storm Hurricane safety doesn't stop when the storm is over. If you decide to weather the storm at home, make sure you have enough supplies to sustain life in the event of power outages or flooding after the hurricane that prevents you from getting supplies. Keep at least three gallons of water on hand per person, have food that doesn't require electricity to prepare, a can opener, candles, matches, batteries, a battery-operated radio and flashlights. Don't venture out of your house until you know it's safe to do so. And even then, be careful. There are a lot of potential hazards out after a storm. There could be debris in the road that you might come upon unexpectedly, so make sure you have plenty of time to stop to avoid it. There may also be downed power lines. You don't know if they're live or not, so don't try to move them in an attempt to make the area safe for others. And watch out for debris and power lines if you're out jogging. And finally, don't drive through flooded areas. You don't know what's under the water, and you can damage your car. Hurricane preparation is paramount when it comes to safety. Home safety MUST be followed! Sun, 13 Nov 2005 14:42:35 EST http://www.hurricanesafetyzone.com/hurricane-safety/hurricanes.html Hurricanes are more than just a tornado on water. If you don't live in an area that's prone to hurricanes, you may not know much about them. en-us Wed, 21 Sep 2005 16:21:01 EDT Wed, 21 Sep 2005 16:21:01 EDT Weblog Editor 2.0 http://www.hurricanesafetyzone.com/hurricane-safety/hurricane-preparation.html Hurricane preparation tips can help you stay safe during a hurricane. In most cases, the amount of damage your home sustains if a hurricane hits is in direct relation to the hurricane preparation steps taken. en-us Thu, 29 Sep 2005 10:02:39 EDT Thu, 29 Sep 2005 10:02:39 EDT Weblog Editor 2.0 http://www.hurricanesafetyzone.com/hurricane-safety/hurricane-preparations.html Hurricane preparations are important no matter if you decide to evacuate or not. Check out these hurricane preparations. en-us Wed, 21 Sep 2005 12:28:28 EDT Wed, 21 Sep 2005 12:28:28 EDT Weblog Editor 2.0 http://www.hurricanesafetyzone.com/hurricane-safety/flooding.html Flooding is a major issue when it comes to hurricanes. It's not always at the front of our minds though. Some hurricanes cause more damage from wind than rain, but others dump so much rain that flooding becomes a huge problem. en-us Wed, 19 Oct 2005 13:16:42 EDT Wed, 19 Oct 2005 13:16:42 EDT Weblog Editor 2.0 http://www.hurricanesafetyzone.com/hurricane-safety/hurricane-evacuations.html Hurricane evacuations are an important part of any hurricane preparedness plan. Do you have options when it comes to hurricane evacuations? en-us Tue, 22 Nov 2005 13:00:15 EST Tue, 22 Nov 2005 13:00:15 EST Weblog Editor 2.0