Safety Precautions for Surviving a Hurricane

Hurricanes are serious storms that can cause massive destruction and loss of life. Some hurricanes are stronger than others, but any hurricane is dangerous. To survive a hurricane safely, you must prepare and use common sense. The following are some tips to help you survive a hurricane safely.

Prepare

The National Weather Service is quite good at alerting people to impending bad weather. But weather predictions are general and can change rapidly. As soon as you hear that a hurricane may strike in your area, start preparations. Invest in a devices that gauge wind speeds so that you know how bad the winds are getting. Stockpile bottled water, food, flashlights, batteries, propane lanterns and candles. Put away or tie down any loose objects outdoors. If you have storm shutters, close them. If not, consider placing tape on your windows to add strength, or use boards to cover them. If you have a generator, get it ready for action.

Evacuate

If your locality advises you to evacuate, do not argue. This advice is for your own safety. Pack enough food, water and clothing to last for several days, and go stay with friends or relatives, or go to a local storm shelter to ride out the storm.

Stay inside

Once the storm starts, stay indoors. Because of the high winds, trees may fall and debris may fly around; if you are outside in the storm, you risk injury from these things. Stay away from windows so that if they shatter, you are not injured by flying shards of glass. Use candles, propane lanterns and stoves and heaters with caution so that you do not inadvertently start a fire or breathe in noxious fumes.

Use caution after the storm

Once the storm passes, use caution when going outside. Flooded roads, downed trees and downed power lines can make walking and driving treacherous. Do not drive through standing water. It is possible that the water is deeper than you think, and you might get trapped in your vehicle.

Common sense and preparedness can get you and your loved ones through a hurricane. Many times these storms are unpredictable, but they cause devastation and loss of life. Use these tips so that you are not a victim.