Protecting You and Your Family
When it comes to protecting yourself in a hurricane, the only thing that can be said is to be prepared before the treat of a hurricane. A family needs to make sure that there is enough canned goods (and that you have a can opener), fresh water, and batteries to last at least 5 days. Wrap your refrigerator in blankets and stuff newspapers inside. The reason why this is done is so when you lose power (because you will lose power) all the food in the refrigerator will last a little longer. Also it is a good practice to fill your car's gas tank up, take enought money out of the ATM, and have barbaque supplies (coal, lighter fluid, matches) because remember if there is no electricity how will the gas pumps work, the ATM dispense money, and your stove cook?
Also right before the storm hits, make sure that you fill your bathtub with water (so you can flush your toliets), you have a working radio and flashlight, and you have enough supplies for all of your pets.
Remember that half way between the storm there is an eye, which means that the weather will become clear and the sun might even come out. DO NOT leave your house!! You can go outside and check for damage, but remember the storm is not over you still have another half to go!!
If the storm gets really severe the best place to go in your house is an interior room or bathroom (some place that doesn't have windows). It is always a good idea to have pillows and blankets in these rooms before the hurricane hits, and make sure that there is a mattress around, they also come in handy in a category 5 storm.
After the storm is over make sure that you where good shoes with thick soles to clean up, that you do not go near any downed power lines (and that you report them to the electric company), and that you do not go into any standing water.
If you need anymore information on getting ready for hurricane season, you can click on the link below to go to the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration's site. They are in charge of the National Hurricane Center and can answer any questions that you may have and also have a booklet that you can download.