If you or someone you know is about to go through a hurricane, it’s extremely important that everything is prepared before the hurricane hits.
Hurricanes are a dangerous natural disaster, but you can prevent the worst from happening by being prepared ahead of time. Before I get into the unconventional life savers, make sure that:
7-18 hours before you have:
- Turned on your TV/radio, or check an applicable website every 30 minutes to get updates.
- Charged your cellphone to full battery in case you lose power.
- Collected all of your most valuable items, such as government documents, passports, family heirlooms, etc. Get them in a safe place (like the one suggested in hack #5).
Be sure to keep them away from doors and windows at all times, and take photos of these things for insurance purposes in case something goes wrong. - Prepared pillows, blankets, food, water, medications, clothes, and toiletries as much as you can. Have a flashlight, batteries, cash, and first aid supplies handy as well.
6 hours before you have:
- Let friends and family know where you are, especially if you have not evacuated to a recommended area.
- Turned your refrigerator and/or freezer to the coldest setting. Open only when absolutely necessary. If you lose power, food will last longer this way.
Keep a thermometer in there to check the temperature of the food. - Continued to check on updates from your TV, radio, or website.
- Made sure your phone is still fully charged.
- Closed storm shutters. Stay away from windows so no possible broken glass causes injury.
For some more safety tips, check out ODPEM & UNICEF’s tips by clicking here.
Now that you’ve finished the things above and prepared your family, friends, and pets in the area with you for the storm, here are 7 little-known hacks for making things easier during the storm.
1. Fill Your Bathtubs With Water
If you lose power or running water, you can use the water in the tubs for flushing the toilet, washing utensils, or whatever else you may need it for. You don’t want to use any of your drinking water for this!
2. Fill Your Washing Machine With Ice And Use It As A Makeshift Cooler
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1046352635468185&set=a.134299436673514&type=1&theater
No cleanup necessary, and keeps everything cold for days! No need to open your fridge with one of these handy!
3. Freeze Ziploc Bags Filled With Water
Freeze upright, then place in the fridge to keep things cooler longer. Place a quarter at the top of one of these so you know if your fridge lost power– the quarter will sink to the bottom.
4. Freeze Damp Washcloths To Keep Cool
If you live in a hot and humid area, frozen washcloths can help a lot to keep you cool. Around bedtime especially, these will be super handy.
5. Keep Your Valuables in The Dishwasher
Since a dishwasher is built to keep water in, it will also seal water out. They’re also bolted to the cabinets so they’re pretty likely to stay put.
If you want an extra line of defense, zip these valuables (such as legal documents, family heirlooms, etc.) into waterproof bags or Tupperware containers.
6. Make A Potty Area For Your Pet Out Of A Kiddie Pool And Some Sod
Your furry friend will be staying indoors with you during a hurricane. Preparing a little potty area for them could save you some cleanup later.
Just take a kiddie pool and place some sod in it… that’s it! Simple and ready to use.
7. Don’t Have Sandbags? Fill Heavy Duty Trash Bags
Sandbags are an outdoor necessity to prevent flooding. If you don’t have any handy, you can fill heavy-duty trash bags with water, small pebbles, dirt, or sand and use those instead!
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Stay safe this hurricane season, and make sure you’re prepared!
