10 Things You Can Do Now To Prepare For Hurricane Season


The 2005 hurricane season is right around the corner and runs for six months from June 1, 2005 to November 30, 2005. According to a recent survey from the National Hurricane Survival Initiative, the residents in hurricane prone states -- from Maine to Texas -- aren't anywhere near prepared for what they might face. Here are 10 quick tips to help you prepare.

1. During the off season is the time to stock up on supplies -- batteries, water and non-perishable food. If you wait until a hurricane is approaching, your chances of finding the items you need are not ideal.

2. Buy a small plastic carrying case for your important papers. Keep it filled and updated during hurricane season so all you have to do is grab and go if you have to evacuate.

3. Save that ice. At the beginning of hurricane season start using that ice that builds up in your icemaker. Fill up several plastic bags with ice and store them in your freezer.

4. Have at least two coolers. One for drinks and one for food. You might also want to have a third cooler on hand for the stuff you will use most often. That way you aren't opening all the coolers frequently and letting the ice melt.

5. It gets really dark when there's no electricity. Battery and solar operated light products are much better than candles. Make sure you have at least one per person.

6. Your cordless phone won't work without electricity. Make sure you can communicate with loved ones. Have a phone with a regular cord. They're very inexpensive and can be your communication lifeline in an emergency.

7. Pets are family too. Make sure you have a pet carrier or transportation device for each pet in your home along with a plan for your pets should a disaster occur.

8. Cash is a must. ATM machines don't work when the electricity is out and the likelihood of your corner store offering to cash a check is slim. Sock away some bucks in that plastic carrying case (see tip #2) so you'll never be caught short-handed.

9. When preparing your home, don't forget to look up. Check those trees and tree limbs. Trim those that could damage your house.

10. Your garage door is a vulnerable wind entry point during a hurricane. Make sure you have it reinforced to prevent collapse.

Denise O'Berry is a small business consultant in Tampa, Florida. For more hurricane information, tips and tools, visit http://www.myhurricanecenter.com







Related News



Ahead of the Bell: Home improvement retailers - Forbes

Ahead of the Bell: Home improvement retailers
Forbes, NY -Nov 19, 2008
The home improvement retailers are part of a sector that has "competitive dynamics, stable gross margins through the downturn, and clear cyclicality ...
Home Depot Is Not in a FixBarron's
all 6 news articles


The Home Depot Declares Third Quarter Dividend of 22.5 Cents - La Voz de Dalton

The Home Depot Declares Third Quarter Dividend of 22.5 Cents
La Voz de Dalton, GA -8 hours ago
The Home Depot is the world's largest home improvement specialty retailer, with 2270 retail stores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, ...
The Home Depot Declares Third Quarter Dividend of 22.5 CentsPR Newswire (press release)
all 13 news articles

The Home Depot Declares Third Quarter Dividend of 22.5 Cents - MarketWatch

The Home Depot Declares Third Quarter Dividend of 22.5 Cents
MarketWatch -11 hours ago
The Home Depot is the world's largest home improvement specialty retailer, with 2270 retail stores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, ...

AG Van Hollen: Home improvement company and owner charged with ... - Wisbusiness.com

AG Van Hollen: Home improvement company and owner charged with ...
Wisbusiness.com, WI -Nov 19, 2008
The complaint alleges that in November, 2005 defendants entered into a $55250 home improvement contract with a Menasha couple promising, among other things, ...

Kudzu.com Survey Reveals DIY Projects Are an Unreliable Way to ... - MarketWatch

Kudzu.com Survey Reveals DIY Projects Are an Unreliable Way to ...
MarketWatch -Nov 19, 2008
In fact, one in four (25%) Americans have hired a professional to fix or finish a home improvement project they first attempted themselves. ...

Home improvement retail sinks on data - Forbes

The Associated Press

Home improvement retail sinks on data
Forbes, NY -Nov 19, 2008
AP , 11.19.08, 03:13 PM EST Shares of home improvement chains dipped Wednesday after the federal government said construction of new homes and apartments ...
How home improvement chains fared in 3rd quarterThe Associated Press
Home Depot Posts 31% Fall in Net Income, Cuts ViewWall Street Journal
Tough economy takes toll on Home DepotAtlanta Journal Constitution
CNNMoney.com - Bloomberg
all 529 news articles

Economic Downturn Sparks New Home Improvement Trend - MarketWatch

Economic Downturn Sparks New Home Improvement Trend
MarketWatch -Nov 18, 2008
With the harsh reality of uncertain economic times, and the average consumer shouldering $10000 or more in credit card debt, a new trend in home improvement...

Raven Industries Announces Higher Sales and Earnings for Third Quarter - MarketWatch

RTT News

Raven Industries Announces Higher Sales and Earnings for Third Quarter
MarketWatch -Nov 19, 2008
"These include lower levels of new home construction and home improvements negatively affecting our bed-control deliveries, and the loss of a significant ...
The Home Depot Announces Third Quarter ResultsEarthtimes (press release)
The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. F3Q08 (Qtr End 11/01/08) Earnings Call ...Seeking Alpha
The Bon-Ton Stores, Inc. Announces Third Quarter Fiscal 2008 ResultsStreetInsider.com (subscription)
SunHerald.com - Seeking Alpha
all 355 news articles

THE GOODS ON HOME IMPROVEMENT: A sturdy shovel for winter's fury - Lancaster Newspapers (registration)

THE GOODS ON HOME IMPROVEMENT: A sturdy shovel for winter's fury
Lancaster Newspapers (registration), PA -17 hours ago
By ALAN J. HEAVENS / McClatchy-Tribune, Correspondent It's never too early to think about snow removal — more than a few flakes fell in the Poconos recently ...

Sector roundup: Solar, home improvement - Forbes

Sector roundup: Solar, home improvement
Forbes, NY -Nov 19, 2008
CHICAGO (AP) - Shares of home improvement chains dipped Wednesday after the federal government said construction of new homes and apartments slowed at a ...