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Storm Preparations : Those Extra Precautions
By: Katherine Carter, Staff Writer
Hurricane season is here. Whether
you live along the eastern or southern coasts of the United States,
along the Gulf or whether you’re hundreds of miles away and
witnessing nature’s fury from a safe distance, there are lessons all
of us need to learn about what to do when Mother Nature gets her ire
up. There are basic realities of preparation and storm weathering to
master that are involved enough when it’s just your immediate family
that’s being protected. But when you’re a caregiver and responsible
for someone who can’t otherwise help him or herself, the ante’s up
considerably, if not in physical labor, then certainly in emotional
toil and psychological angst.
Much of the time, those for whom we
care live in our home, and so the physical act of preparing for a
storm’s onslaught is not noticeably different than if that person
were not present; however, it’s the intangibles that add to the
stress. The worry and anxiety of how to help someone who can’t help
themselves and of how to transport a disabled person to a shelter or
into a car for evacuation should that become necessary can be
overwhelming.
There are certain decisions that
must be made ahead of time. Possibly the most critical is whether or
not you will choose to stay in your home or evacuate, should the
decision be optional. If you choose to stay, it is critical that you
have everything on hand that you could possibly need. Also, you must
determine the safest place in your home and have a plan in place so
that each person will know where to go and what to do when the time
comes. Windows and doors must be protected, loose objects like boats
and outdoor furniture must be secured or stored and a plan must be
in place for your pet. If you decide that leaving is in your best
interest, you must make certain that your car is filled with gas,
that someone else knows your evacuation plans and route and that all
needed supplies are in a central location for easy access.
Let’s face it; if you live in a
hurricane-prone area, chances are that you will, at the very
minimum, face the real threat of a hurricane at least once during
the season. Since the best time to plan for an emergency is when
there isn’t one, take time on a beautiful, sunny Saturday to gather
most of the supplies you’ll need should a hurricane be imminent.
Know, of course, that being prepared in advance requires vigilance.
You’ll need to check the contents of your various kits when their
use seems at hand to ensure that nothing has expired or gone bad.
And it goes without saying that there are some things you simply
can’t do until the last moment, so use those precious minutes just
before the storm hits to accomplish those. Here’s what you can do
ahead of time:
Make sure you’ve got a well-assembled first aid kit. The kit should
include sterile adhesive bandages in assorted sizes, boxes of two-
and four-inch sterile gauze pads, hypoallergenic adhesive tape,
triangular bandages, several rolls of two- and three-inch sterile
roller bandages, scissors, tweezers, needles, moistened towelettes,
antiseptic, a thermometer, tongue blades, petroleum jelly or other
lubricant, assorted sizes of safety pins, a cleansing agent or soap,
latex gloves and sunscreen. In addition, the kit should include the
following non-prescription drugs: aspirin or non-aspirin pain
reliever, anti-diarrhea medication, an antacid, syrup of ipecac (so
that vomiting can be induced if the Poison Control Center so
advises), a laxative, activated charcoal (again, for use as
indicated by the Poison Control Center), hemorrhoid medication,
cough/cold/allergy medication, denture supplies (if applicable) and
sanitary/incontinent supplies. Be sure that medicines for all the
various age groups in your family are included so that everyone from
children to senior adults will be protected.
A hurricane suitcase should be assembled with enough contents for
each person in the family. A suitcase or large plastic tub should be
packed with cash (even though its inclusion will be probably be a
last-minute addition), a first aid kit like the one mentioned above,
a flashlight and batteries, a battery-operated radio and batteries,
a personal list of medications for each person, large towels and
washcloths, blankets and pillows, paper towels, a change of clothes,
sturdy shoes (closed toe/heel), socks, a manual can opener, large
and small trash bags and ties, a plastic bucket with a lid, bar
soap, liquid detergent, toothpaste and toothbrush, toilet paper,
tissues, disinfectant, rubber gloves, insect repellent, sun block,
protective clothing/hat, wet wipes, cards, board games, toys and
books.
Non-perishable food should be assembled and should include crackers,
jelly, nuts, canned vegetables, canned juice, canned fruit, powdered
milk, bread, peanut butter, honey, canned and fully cooked meats,
protein snacks, and dried fruits.
A minimum two-week supply of water per person and/or pet should be
purchased. Each person will require one gallon of water per day, and
each pet will require one quart of water per day. Additionally,
kerosene, gasoline, wood, pet food, pet medications, charcoal and
matches should be gathered into one central location. If you have a
charcoal or gas grill, it might come in handy for cooking outside if
the electricity is out during or after the storm.
Develop a plan for your pet. If you’re leaving and taking the pet,
make sure you have a pet carrier. Also be aware that hurricane
shelters do not accept pets.
Put together a list of relevant phone numbers and put this in your
hurricane suitcase. Make sure you place important information and
medication concerning the person for whom you are caring in a
central location. This will be helpful to you not only in times of
stress but will be extremely helpful should others have to step in
and help out.
The following things really can’t
be done ahead of time, so use this list as a reminder of last-minute
musts. Some of these tasks can be done during the hurricane watch,
the 36-hour designated timeframe before a hurricane is due to hit.
Some can’t be done until the warning period, the 24-hour designated
timeframe before the hurricane is due to hit.
During the Watch
Period
Obtain cash or travelers checks. Withdraw as much money as you’re
comfortable carrying since it’s possible that, should the hurricane
hit, ATMs won’t be working. Additionally, merchants may not be able
to authorize credit card usage if the electricity isn’t working, and
personal checks may not be accepted.
Make sure your car has a full tank of gas and that oil/tire pressure
has been checked. Be aware that in emergency situations like these,
gas stations sometimes run out of gas and there can be long lines.
Time yourself accordingly.
Store all outside furniture and items that could be picked up by the
wind. If you have a boat, make sure it is secured.
Fasten all doors and windows, protecting them with hurricane
shutters or plywood.
Gather important paperwork like wills, deeds, birth and marriage
certificates, social security cards and insurance policies and place
them inside a waterproof container.
If you’ll be leaving your home and going to a hotel, make sure you
have a reservation as well as a reservation number. Know the best
and safest route to take. A hotel can be a good solution for many
who are caregivers since most have emergency generators. On the
other hand, hurricane shelters are also good options, though not as
comfortable. Your loved one may be inconvenienced in such crowded
surroundings where beds are simply sleeping bags or mattresses on
the floor. Regardless of where you plan to stay, make sure that
someone else knows where you will be.
During the
Warning Period
Put all prescription medications and their instructions in the first
aid kit. Make sure they are readily accessible.
Move important items away from the windows.
Fill up the bathtubs with water.
Fill any spaces in the freezer and refrigerator with milk jugs full
of frozen water.
Turn up the refrigerator to maximum cold, opening it only if
necessary.
If the power goes out, turn off appliances and lights so that the
system is not overburdened when it comes back on.
If you’re leaving, post the phone number and address of your
destination prominently on an interior wall. Let neighbors and
friends know where you are going.
Leave your car radio on, tuned to a local station for news and
updates.
All by themselves, hurricanes are a
formidable force of nature. Coupled with the complexities of
caregiving, weathering them becomes an unenviable feat, though one
navigated by multitudes of people each year. In the midst of the
storm, though, it is wise to remember the rainbow, for storms do
pass. There’s an old Irish blessing we can all take to heart: “May
God give you...for every storm a rainbow, for every tear a smile,
for every care a promise and a blessing in each trial. For every
problem life sends, a faithful friend to share, for every sigh a
sweet song and an answer for each prayer.”
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