Florida’s Coast-to-Coast Chapter of the American Red Cross reminds everyone to be prepared for hurricane season which began June 1. Are you prepared? Here’s what you need to do to prepare your family.

Protect yourself, plan ahead

• Plan a flood-free evacuation route. Shelters can become crowded quickly. If possible, plan to go to a place of your choosing such as the home of a friend or relative who lives outside the reach of the hurricane. Also, choose an alternate route, in case there are route restrictions such as weather or traffic. Be ready to drive 100 to 150 miles inland to locate a safe place, and expect the drive to take longer than usual.

Assemble a disaster supplies kit containing:

How safe is your home?
Examine your level of preparation and find out how safe your home is by taking an interactive quiz. Help keep both your family and home safe and sound during hurricane season. www.flash.org/HowSafe.htm

• Supplies of non-perishable food and bottled water (at least one gallon of water per person per day to last at least three days)
• Portable battery-operated or manual can opener.
• Flashlights and extra batteries.
• First aid kit and essential medicines.
• Cash and credit cards.
• Sturdy shoes and work gloves.
• Written instruction on how to turn off your home’s utilities.

Prepare your pet

Shelters and some motels will not allow pets for health and safety reasons. Arrange with a local kennel to take your pets if an evacuation order is issued or prepare an emergency pen in the home. The emergency pen should include a three-day supply of dry food and a large container of fresh water. Make sure all pets have a current identification tag and a license.

Prepare your home

• Trim back dead wood from trees.
• Install storm shutters or precut plywood panels to protect windows, sliding glass, double and French doors.
• Precut wood or metal beams and prepare brace to protect garage door.
• Mount slide bolts to the inside and outside of single doors.
• Check your flood insurance to see that your policy is in effect.

Stay tuned for storm warnings

• Listen to your local radio and TV stations for updated storm information.
• Know what a hurricane watch and a hurricane warning mean:
  • a hurricane watch means that there is a threat of hurricane conditions with 24-36 hours;
  • a hurricane warning means that winds of 74 miles per hour or greater, or dangerously high water and rough seas are expected within 24 hours.

When a hurricane watch is issued

• Fuel car.
• Check emergency supplies.
• Bring in outdoor objects such as lawn furniture, toys and garden tools.
• Close all storm shutters of cover all windows with plywood panels.
• Secure garage and entry doors.
• Review evacuation plan.
• Moore boat securely or move it to a designated safe place.

Check with Coast Guard regarding specifics on boat safety

• Use rope or chain to secure boat to trailer. Use tie-downs to anchor trailer to ground or house.
  When a hurricane warning is issued
• Listen constantly to the radio or television for official instructions.
• If in a mobile home, check tie-downs and evacuate immediately.
• Store valuables and personal papers in a waterproof container in the highest possible spot in your house.
• Stay out of elevators.
• If not ordered to evacuate and staying at home, stay inside, away from windows, skylights and glass doors.
  After the hurricane passes
• When authorities advise it is safe, return home.
• Watch out for fallen power lines and stay out of the damaged area.
• Stay tuned to the radio for information about available emergency assistance.
• Drive only if absolutely necessary; avoid sightseeing.
• Beware of snakes, insects or animals driven to higher ground by flood water.
• Enter home with caution.
• Open windows and doors to ventilate and dry home.
• Use a flashlight to inspect your home for damage.
• Do not use candles at any time.

All Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary gifts of time and money from the American people. The Red Cross is not a government agency.