As summer storms roll into your neighborhood, it can be a little unsettling. Here are a few helpful tips to prepare you for Mother Nature’s dark side. These are things you may not have thought about but will wish you had when the big storm hits:
Emergent Needs:
- Rapid cell phone charger from Energizer, approx $20
- Battery back-up for your sump pump, like this one from Home Depot.
- Portable Generator (can share with a neighbor)
The standard items to have on hand:
- Flashlight with extra batteries
- Bottled water and sports drinks
- Non-perishable foods, pet foods
- Battery operated radio
- Standard plug in phone (cordless phones will not work in power outage)
- Extra house keys (garage door opener will not work in power outage)
Very Important Items! – Medications (renew necessary meds before storm hits) and First Aid Kit
Documents you should keep handy in case of evacuation:
- Recent family photos including photos of pets
- Copies of Medicare/Medicaid and health insurance cards
- Copies of birth certificates
- Copies of drivers’ licenses
- Copies of homeowner and car insurance policies
- Bank account numbers
- Cash
- Pre-paid phone cards
Food Safety Tips from the USDA
Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed to maintain the cold temperature. The refrigerator will keep food safely cold for about 4 hours if it is unopened. A full freezer will hold the temperature for approximately 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full) if the door remains closed. Add dry ice to refrigerator if power out for period of time. Fifty pounds of dry ice should hold an 18-cubic foot full freezer for 2 days. Plan ahead and know where dry ice and block ice can be purchased.
Outdoors
- Lay portable basketball nets down when high winds are predicted
- Make sure propane tanks are turned off and grills are secure from being blown over
- Secure glass tops tables and trampolines, too.
A little preparation goes a long way to save you trouble after the storm. It will keep you more comfortable and save you money too!
For more DIY help, check out the DIY Hip Chicks YouTube Channel
