How to Prepare for Severe Weather

Storm and Severe Weather Preparation

After the recent Hurricane "Super Storm" Sandy devastation I felt compelled to write some information about how to better prepare and protect yourself and your family against severe weather conditions. During the storm I learned some lessons and had some time to think about how to better prepare myself. Although I did not suffer anything remotely near to the tragedies that other folks did  throughout NJ and NY I still felt like I needed to write something. My intent is that that hopefully somebody else can benefit from this information in the future or possibly even presently. 

Once the storm subsided I worked with many clients getting them backup and running as it pertains to computer networking systems, assistance with power issues, generators and phones, etc. I also spoke to all sorts of different people which shared stories or information about things they heard or read about.

The following information below is a combination of lessons that I learned during the storm, information that have I gathered from websites and things I heard from speaking to other people. The information below is a collection of my thoughts and findings. For more info on how to prepare for storms and or for severe weather go to http://www.ready.gov/  and http://www.fema.gov/

Note: That some of this information may seem like it is common sense. However, based on the news casts some people do not think through the consequences before acting and therefore, caused damage and injury to themselves and others.

Safety

DO NOT bring your generator indoors under any circumstances

DO NOT bring any type of fireplace, grill or any type of device that lets off any type of harmful fumes indoors

Place your generator at a safe distance from your home

First aid kit

Locate the safest place in your home usually a low floor under a supporting beam

Have an exit plan
Get some cash

Have more than 1 way out of your home or apartment. Don’t block all of your exits

Prepare a travel bag or back pack with some clothes, water and some non-perishable foods so that you can make a quick exit if you need to

Locate and place all of you valuable documents into some type of carrying case or save to a USB device

AM/FM Radio to listen to the news and updates

Create a “survival kit” and store it in a designated area

If you have an infant and or small child purchase diapers, baby formula, baby food, etc.

Fire extinguishers

Tie down outside furniture, grill, etc. or move into a secure area like a shed or garage

Stay away from windows during a severe storm

Brace doors from the inside if the storm is severe to prevent them from flinging open

Natural Gas, Gasoline, Propane and Power

·         Whether you have a home or a business purchase a portable gasoline generator if you don’t already own one. If you can afford it buy and install a permanent natural gas generator it is the best option and you don’t have to worry about filling up gasoline and oil during a storm.

http://www.generac.com/genTemplates/HomeNew.aspx?id=6442453999
Depending upon the generator you have you can keep food, keep the heat running and other areas running that are important . 
 Fill up your cars and gasoline cans/tanks prior to the storm
Get oil for your generator
When you run your generator you must keep track of oil and fill up the oil otherwise, the generator will shut off and may stop running and can be damaged

·         Purchase additional gas cans and additional gas for your car and or generator

·         Purchase additional and or fill up your Propane Tanks for cooking for on a BBQ

·         Have Batteries of all sizes available especially size D

·         Flashlights -This is link to a really good item to have on hand – Rayovac sportsman  http://www.rayovac.com/Products/Lights/Outdoor/Virtually-Indestructible-LED-3AAA-Headlight.aspx

·          Purchase Candles

·         Purchase battery operated tea light candles submersible ones are even better. These candles seem to last forever http://www.lamplust.com/battery-operated-candles-c-3_26.html

·         Matches and a gas lighter which comes in really handy to light up your gas stove or gas fireplace

·         Purchase battery operated lanterns – The link below is a battery operated lantern that is also water resistant and also floats http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2558640

·         If you are lucky enough to own a gas fireplace make sure you have instructions handy on how to use it and get it light, etc. If you don't have then consider putting one in.

·         If you are lucky enough to have a wood burning fireplace make sure you purchase fire wood. If not then consider putting one in.

·         You can use your grill to cook food as long as you have propane or your grill is attached to a natural gas line

·         Try to keep your refrigerators and coolers closed as much as possible in order to keep as much cold inside

Food, Water and Medicine

·         Purchase Bottled water and put your water in a cooler with ice

·         If your refrigerator is running turn it up to the highest level and turn your freezer up to the highest level

·         Buy or make ice from your refrigerator

·         If it is cold enough outside and the weather is not severe keep your food and drinks in coolers to help preserve them

·         Make sure you have any medicines handy and that you have filled any prescriptions that you may need prior to the storm

·         Purchase non-perishable foods and place them in plastic "Rubbermaid" containers 
·         Ready to eat canned meats, fruits, vegetables

o   Protein or fruit bars

o   Dry cereal and or granola

o   Peanut butter

o   Dried fruits, Nuts, Crackers

o   Canned juices

o   Non-perishable pasteurized milk

o   High energy type foods

·         Vitamins

·         Food for infants, diapers, etc.

·         Fill your bathtubs with water. This may come in handy at a later point

·         You can also store your own water in plastic containers like plastic soda bottles however, you should look into how to do that properly

·         If you have pets make sure that you have food and water for them as well

Sump Pump

·         If you have a basement you most likely have a sump pump. If you do then make sure that it is plugged in to a battery backup unit of some sort or that it is plugged in to your generator. The best scenario is to plug it into a generator

·         Buy a backup sump pump just in case

Clothes

·         Locate warm clothes like jackets, socks, hats, sweaters, etc.

·         Gather Sleeping bags and Blankets

Tools, Electronics and Utensils

·         Power Extension cords and power strips

·         Can opener, eating utensils

·         Wrench, pliers, Screwdrivers flat head and Phillips head

·         Hammer,  nails, screws

·         Make sure you have powered up all of your battery operated tools such as drills, etc.

·         Make sure you have powered up all of your cell phones, tablets, etc.

·         Locate all of your chargers

·         Jumper cables

·         Ice scrapper

Food and Water preservation and sanitation

Some foods can last longer without refrigeration

If any food or items don’t smell right don’t take the chance -just throw it out.

Keep non-perishable offs in plastic containers

Keep garbage outside of your garage

You should read the food labels to make sure how long the food can last without refrigeration

If any food has come in contact with flood water you should get rid of it

Food that requires refrigeration and have been without the proper cooling should be thrown out after 24 hours.

Food that has been frozen can last up to 48 hours after that it should be thrown out

If you handle gasoline or oil wash your handling before handling food

Storing your Gasoline and your Generator

• Keep gas cans and the generator in a safe environment
• Buy gas stabilizers for gas cans and your generator