Any severe storm with accompanying high winds, driving rain and thunder and lightning is serious business. Don’t think you can’t get hurt; anyone can be injured or killed when they ignore the deadly potential of a storm. If you don’t already have an in-home or business-ready plan to weather storms safely, use this checklist to get started. Then post it somewhere at home or at work so that everyone knows what needs to be done to be fully prepared.
- Start by listing the various alerts that your local community’s emergency warning system sounds and what they mean.
- Determine the safest place to gather and be sure everyone is informed.
- Decide how and where to best protect pets.
- List outdoor items that should be brought inside or secured in place.
- Have first aid supplies and necessary medicines nearby.
- Have water and nonperishable food on hand and in sufficient quantities (1 gallon of water per person per day).
- Have flashlights, extra batteries, blankets and extra clothing readily available. Avoid candles for light.
- Have fully charged mobile phones nearby and family contact information in your phone or on paper.
- Have some cash on hand. If stores do not have electricity, charging purchases is not possible.
If your home or business suffers storm damage, wait until stormy weather has passed, then call your insurer and your local Paul Davis company, who can help remediate damage and safeguard your possessions. This is no time for second best. ™