2008 Hurricane Season – Create a Disaster Supply Kit

Don’t’ wait until you hear warnings of a hurricane/tropical storm approaching.  Unfortunately, too many people do and are rushing to Home Depot, Lowes, not to forget all of the grocery stores in search of supplies.  You can and should be stocked up on this beforehand and in many instances the cost will be less to you because once the supplies start getting low, the prices rise.

Let’s first look at the necessary list of items and then we’ll discuss this a little further:

Water – at least 1 gal per person per day for 3 – 7 days.

Food – for at least 3 – 7 days

            Non-perishable canned or packaged goods & juices

            Comfort foods - snacks

            Cooking utensils and fuel, such as a filled propane tank for a grill

            Disposable products – paper plates and plastic utensils

            Food for infants and the elderly

Medicines/Prescription Drugs

Flashlights & batteries as well as candles & lighters/matches

Battery operated Radios

Telephones – cell phones charged & a regular corded telephone

Vehicles should have full tanks of gas

Cash & also Credit Cards (yet with a power outage they may not be as easily

            used).  Don’t forget to have some coins on hand as well.

Keys

Important documents – placed in a watertight container

            Insurance policies – house, medical, life

            Bank account numbers & passbooks and checkbooks

            Social Security cards

            Any important documents that you store in your home should be easily

                        accessible if needed in a moments notice.

Toiletries & Moist wipes

Special items – for babies and the elderly

First Aid Kit

Toys & Games for children and also books and reading material. 

Possibly bedding & clothing and surely don’t forget about your pets, but this will be discussed more fully in another post shortly.

This is by far not a complete list, but gives you an idea of some things to have readily available.  Additionally, many of these things should be kept in a watertight container as a storm approaches because what use are many of these items if they get wet.

If you know a major storm is approaching possibly turn the refrigerator and freezer up to their coldest settings and make as much ice as possible with the time that you have.  Yes, it will cost you a little electricity, but it also may have your refrigerated products last longer.  If the power does go out and you need to retrieve something from the refrigerator, think about where it is before opening the door.  You don’t want too much cold air escaping.  Also, don’t forget that over time your food will thaw and there will be water that will collect in the bottom of your freezer and refrigerator. 

I know this may appear to be somewhat scary and overwhelming, but preparing ahead of time will allow you to cope with a situation more easily. 

Here’s hoping that you won’t need to use any of these suggestions! 

For information on Orange and Seminole County real estate and Orange and Seminole County homes for sale in addition to Orange and Seminole County relocation contact Marc Grossman, your Orange and Seminole County Realtor @ 407-463-1034.  Additional information is available for Seminole County real estate, Orange County real estate, West Volusia County and South Lake County.

To learn more about Marc and the services he has to offer, visit his profile & website. 

Marc Grossman, GRI  -  http://www.OrlandoHomes-4u.com/  -  407-463-1034

Marc donates 10% of his net proceeds to Hospice of the Comforter.

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