Severe Summer Weather Safety Tips
Now with summer and the Atlantic hurricane season well underway, the potential for strong storms pose safety threats. The National Weather Service signifies severe summer weather as hurricanes, tornadoes, floods and thunderstorms.
The top two things the National Weather Service recommends to be ready for summer weather are to stay informed and have an emergency kit prepared.
Stay In the Know
Staying informed can be as easy as checking the weather forecast in your area throughout the day. You won’t have to worry about being caught off-guard should severe weather hit. Check the following places for weather:
- - Local radio and news stations
- - Mobile weather apps
- - National Weather Service
- - Federal Emergency Management Agency
Building an Emergency Kit
Putting together an emergency kit can be a fairly simple task. At a minimum, a standard kit should contain important items such as:
- - First-aid kit including sterile bandages and gauze, adhesive tape, antiseptic wipes and ointment, instant cold packs and ibuprofen and a splint
- - Battery-powered NOAA Weather Radio (NWR) and a portable radio and extra batteries for each
- - Emergency tools like sharp scissors, tweezers, a hammer, screwdriver, etc.
- - Flashlight with extra batteries
- - Blankets
- - Whistle to signal for help
If you have more time to prepare for a major storm or hurricane, you may want to add these additional items to your kit in case you’re stranded or need to evacuate your home:
- - At least a 3-day supply of water (one gallon per person, per day)
- - 3-day supply of non-perishable food
- - Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food)
- - At least one change of clothing and shoes per person
- - One blanket or sleeping bag per person
- - Extra set of car keys
- - Credit card and cash
- - Prescription and non-prescription medicines
- - Special items for infant, elderly or disabled family members
- - Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
- - Local maps
- - Cell phone with chargers, converter or solar charger
If you have more time to prepare for a major storm or hurricane, you may want to add these additional items to your kit in case you’re stranded or need to evacuate your home:
It’s never too late to prepare – severe weather could be right around the corner this summer. Follow these helpful tips so you won’t be unprepared if it hits.
For more information on severe weather preparedness, check out detailed plans from ready.gov.
From Homesite, stay prepared and safe!
This information is provided for your convenience and is not intended as insurance advice. The views, opinions, and advice expressed in this article do not represent those of Homesite Group Incorporated. Please consult your insurance carrier or agent for information regarding your policy or coverages.