Making a Survival Kit

4 Most Important Hurricane Survival Tips You Should Know

Knowing a thing or two about hurricane survival does not guarantee your safety, however if you keep your mind clear and do not succumb to panic, your survival rate will increase.  There is no absolute hurricane survival guide that will guarantee your safety, however preparation is the best defense for this natural weather phenomenon. This article will guide you through some hurricane survival tips and will discuss some information on how to make a hurricane kit for your preparation. According to NHSI or National Hurricane Survival Initiative there were at least 259 people who lost their lives during the 2011 hurricane season, these hurricanes also left damages worth $11 Billion in US alone. Hurricane survival skills is very important during hurricane seasons, honing this skills may save your life and your family’s. Keep yourself updated and know the latest news at all times this is of prime importance.

Essential Hurricane Survival Kit

1. Prepare your home – Before a Hurricane hits, make sure that trees and bushes near your home are trimmed. Broken twigs may hit your glass windows and break them. Furniture outside the house should be brought it, if some furniture are too big, tie it down securely. Hurricane survival methods need not to be grand, but make sure that you rehearse your exit plan if your house gets severely damaged by the hurricane. Install windows, doors and garage shutters securely check if these shutters are approved by your local Building and Zoning Department. Every Hurricane survival guide in the world won’t protect you if your house itself is not securely prepared. The primary rule is to check your insurance coverage yearly, it is best that you do this at least 2 months in advance before the hurricane season. Keep a record of all valuables in your house, photograph or videotape them before the hurricane strikes. Keep your personal documents in a water proof container.

2. Prepare your self and your family– Prepare a plan for your family, hurricane survival depends on your preparedness and vigilance. Make an emergency plan and involve everyone in the household. If you have pets, make sure that you have a safe place to keep them once an evacuation has been ordered. No pets are allowed in evacuation centers, call your veterinarian for possible solution to this. Rehearse your hurricane survival plans,have a contact person that is out of state. Make sure your children knows who to call if they are separated from you. Do not make phone calls, take a bath and stay close to the window when the hurricane hits. There will be times that the hurricane may seem to leave but that could be its eye, do not go outside unless you are very sure it has left.

3. Prepare your Hurricane kit – Assemble all your hurricane supplies before the hurricane hits. Hurricane survival depends on how your preparation is implemented. In your kit include water for 72 hours (one gallon per person per day), food (choose food that have a long shelf life, easy to prepare and does not require cooking), Clothes (at least one set per person including footwear). First aid kit (include personal medical prescriptions, medical paraphernalia and over the counter medicines). Your hurricane survival kit should also include the following: flashlights, transistor radios, fresh batteries, Identification, whistle and all important documents, always bring extra cash with you.

4. Listen to the news – There are times that evacuation is needed, this are usually announced through the news, forced evacuation may also be possible. When evacuating always bring your hurricane survival kit.

5. Know when to evacuate – Evacuation maybe necessary at times that the hurricane is too powerful. If this event arises, make sure that you do so. Hurricane survival does not mean staying in your house for protection, sometimes leaving your home for your own safety should be thought first. Evacuate 24 hours before the hurricane hits. Inform a contact person out of state where you are headed, bring with you all your hurricane survival supply and proofs of identification.

Your Hurricane Survival Plan

A fool proof hurricane survival plan does not exist, hurricane info changes from time to time. Remember the rule is to listen to the news and stay calm. Rehearse your plan with your family, make changes as you see fit. Gauge the situation every time, some people save their boats, cars etc during hurricanes and most of them die because of this. Do not go out of your house until you are sure that it is 100 percent safe. Do not turn on your utilities until 24 hours after the hurricane has left. Hurricane survival is not difficult, just be aware of your surroundings and stick to your plan all the time.