Not Your Typical Hurricane Prep List – Easy Ideas

The supplies have been purchased, gas tanks have been filled but there are quite a few things I have seen on Facebook that I never thought to do when preparing for a Hurricane.  Assuming I am not the only one, I figured this not so typical hurricane prep list would come in handy, especially with everything all in one place that you can reference whenever you need (as I am sure there are many more hurricane prep opportunities in the future).

Not Your Typical Hurricane Prep List – Easy things you can do to prepare

• Start running your ice makers now and bagging the ice in freezer bags. Fill as much space in between your freezer items as you can.

• Start using up your perishables to make more room for ice in the freezer.

• Make sure all of your photos (on your phone and computer) and computers are backed up).

• Take pictures of all your important docs & send to your email and then place the originals in sealed bags or plastic bins.

• Pack treasured family photos in extra large Ziplock bags and add your name/address just in case.

• Create an “emergency” group on Facebook with family/friends having access. Alert family/friends where you are heading before/during/after storm and have an “in case of emergency plan.”

• Share your evacuation plans with family members so they know where you’re headed.

• Call your bank if you plan on leaving the state so they don’t freeze your card for out-of-area “suspicious” transactions.

• Freeze regular tap water for pets, cleaning or drinking in tupperware-type containers. REMEMBER to leave a small bit of space between the top of the water & the lids so the ice expands but doesn’t crack the container.

• The night of the storm turn the a/c low and cool the house down. When the power goes out you will be glad your house is already cool.

• Charge your cell phones and get some external battery chargers (charge those too).

• Stock up on paper goods so that you don’t have to worry about doing the dishes right before, during or after the hurricane.

• Fill the tubs with water and seal the plug with wax so that you can use it to flush the toilets.

• Get propane or charcoal for your grills so that you can prepare meals and not let your frozen food go bad.

• Purchase aluminum pans so you can use them as pans on the grill.

• Still have a house phone? Make sure you have an old school phone that plugs into the wall.

• Do your laundry before the storm so that you have clean clothes in the event the power is out.

• The washer can be used as a cooler, simply add some ice and your favorite drinks.

• Order all prescription medications you’ll need for a month in advance and pick them up before storm.

• Make sure you have any medication you may need for you and the kids (like Tylenol, Ear Ache medication, etc.)

• Create or purchase a First Aid kit, make sure you have a lot of antibacterial medication and bandages.

• Consider sleeping fully dressed during a storm so you are prepared to leave if necessary and have a bag packed that you can pick up on the way out.

• Always wear socks and closed-toed shoes after a storm to avoid scrapes, cuts & bacteria as you move about the rubble.

• Check out Pinterest for ideas on making your own portable air conditioner, BBQ grills, outdoor showers, makeshift toilets.

• Look up which gas stations have generators and can operate without electricity.

• Fill gallon and quart size Ziploc bags with water and stuff them into any spare room in the freezer. They will take forever to melt and keep everything cold and you can also take them out to melt for fresh cold water.

• Block ice works best so, fill plastic drink bottles with water and freeze in advance to use in coolers.

• Place old rags & beach towels on your windowsills because even with the best windows & shutters, water can seep in from the wind pressure. A few damp towels is better than soaked drywall or floors.

• Fridges/freezers may leak when electricity is lost so put towels around bottom of those appliances in advance.

• Get cash (preferably small bills). When stores don’t have electricity, they can’t accept debit/credit cards and usually want to use the lowest denomination possible.

• When the storm starts, close all of your interior doors so that if wind is entering your home through an open or broken window, it will help compartmentalize the pressure inside the home into smaller areas reducing the overall force on the roof structure (which gives the roof a better chance of staying intact).

Prepare for the worst (with this Hurricane Prep List) and pray for the best. Stay safe friends!!!

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