It's never too early to prepare for a hurricane, especially along our Florida coastline. The key to minimizing danger is completing preparations well ahead of an approaching storm. You'll avoid the rush at supply stores, grocery stores and other venues typically crowded and chaotic once hurricane watches and warnings are imminent.

You can make sure you're prepared by maintaining six basic categories of items for your home:

• Water
• Food
• First aid supplies
• Clothing and bedding
• Tools and emergency supplies
• Special items

Items you'll need during an evacuation should be kept in an easy-to carry container such as a backpack or duffle bag.

Make your preparations easier by downloading the checklists included with each category and use them as you shop and store your supplies.

Food and Water

[ download the food and water checklist ]

Water

• Store water in plastic containers such as soft drink bottles. Avoid using containers that will decompose or break, such as milk cartons or glass bottles. A normally active person needs to drink at least two quarts of water each day. Hot environments and intense physical activity can double that amount. Children, nursing mothers, and ill people will need more.
• Store one gallon of water per person per day.
• Keep at least a three-day supply of water per person (two quarts for drinking, two quarts for each person in your household for food preparation/sanitation).

Food

Store at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food. Select foods that require no refrigeration, preparation or cooking, and little or no water. If you must heat food, pack a can of Sterno. Select food items that are compact and lightweight. Include a selection of the following foods in your Disaster Supplies Kit:

• Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits, and vegetables
• Canned juices
• Staples (salt, sugar, pepper, spices, etc.)
• High energy foods
• Vitamins
• Food for infants
• Comfort/stress foods

First Aid and Non-Prescription Drugs

[ download the first aid and non-prescription drug checklist ]

First Aid Kit
Assemble a first aid kit for your home and one for each car.

• (20) adhesive bandages, various sizes.
• (1) 5″ x 9″ sterile dressing.
• (1) conforming roller gauze bandage.
• (2) triangular bandages.
• (2) 3 x 3 sterile gauze pads.
• (2) 4 x 4 sterile gauze pads.
• (1) roll 3″ cohesive bandage.
• (2) germicidal hand wipes or waterless alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• (6) antiseptic wipes.
• (2) pair large medical grade non-latex gloves.
• Adhesive tape, 2″ width.
• Anti-bacterial ointment.
• Cold pack.
• Scissors (small, personal).
• Tweezers.
• CPR breathing barrier, such as a face shield.

Non-Prescription Drugs

• Aspirin or non-aspirin pain reliever
• Anti-diarrhea medication
• Antacid (for stomach upset)
• Laxative
• Activated charcoal (use if advised by the American Association of Poison Control Centers)

Tools and Supplies

[ download the tools and supplies checklist ]

• Mess kits, or paper cups, plates, and plastic utensils
• Emergency preparedness manual
• Battery-operated radio and extra batteries
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Cash and/or change
• Non-electric can opener, utility knife
• Fire extinguisher: small canister ABC type
• Tube tent
• Pliers
• Tape
• Compass
• Lighter or matches in a waterproof container
• Aluminum foil
• Plastic storage containers
• Signal flare
• Paper, pencil
• Needles, thread
• Medicine dropper
• Shut-off wrench, to turn off household gas and water
• Whistle
• Plastic sheeting
• List of local shelters

Sanitation, Clothing and Bedding

[ download the sanitation, clothing and bedding checklist ]

Sanitation

• Hand sanitizer
• Disinfectant wipes
• Cloth face masks (two per person)
• Toilet paper, towelettes
• Soap, liquid detergent
• Feminine supplies
• Personal hygiene items
• Plastic garbage bags, ties (for personal sanitation uses)
• Plastic bucket with tight lid
• Disinfectant
• Household chlorine bleach

Clothing and Bedding
Include at least one complete change of clothing and footwear per person.

• Sturdy shoes or work boots
• Rain gear
• Blankets or sleeping bags
• Hat and gloves
• Thermal underwear*
• Sunglasses

*REMINDER: The Atlantic Hurricane Season runs through November 30, and our hurricane-vulnerable residents that live in Northern areas need to be prepared in the event of a late-season storm.

Special Items

[ download the special items checklist: infants, adults, pets ]

Remember family members with special requirements, such as infants and elderly or disabled persons.

For Baby

• Formula
• Diapers
• Bottles
• Powdered milk
• Medications

For Adults

• Heart and high blood pressure medication
• Insulin
• Prescription drugs
• Denture needs
• Contact lenses and supplies
• Extra eye glasses

Entertainment

• Board games and other games that don’t require batteries or electricity, books for adult readers and for children.

For Pets

In the interest of protecting pets, the Humane Society of the United States offers these tips for inclusion in your family disaster plan:

• Do not leave your pets behind.
• Securely fasten a current identification tag to your pet’s collar and carry a photograph of your pet. It’s important to include the phone number of a friend or family member on the tag so anyone who may find your pet is able to reach someone who knows you.
• Transport pets in secure pet carriers and keep pets on leashes or harnesses.
• Call hotels in a safe/host location and ask if you can bring your pets. Ask the manager if a no-pet policy can be lifted during the disaster. Most emergency shelters do not admit pets.
• Call friends, family members, veterinarians or boarding kennels in a safe/host location to arrange foster care if you and your pets cannot stay together.
• Pack a week’s supply of food, water and other provisions, such as medication or cat litter.
• Do not wait until the last minute to evacuate. Rescue officials may not allow you to take your pets if you need to be rescued.
• Keep a list of emergency phone numbers (veterinarian, local animal control, animal shelters, Red Cross, etc.).

Possessions and Documents

[ download the possessions and documents checklist ]

• Keep these records in a waterproof, portable container:
  • Will, insurance policies, contracts, deeds, stocks and bonds
  • Passports, social security cards, immunization records
  • Bank account numbers
  • Credit card account numbers and companies
• Inventory of valuable household goods, important telephone numbers
• Family records (birth, marriage, death certificates)
• Store your kit in a convenient place known to all family members. Keep a smaller version of the supplies kit in the trunk of your car.
• Keep items in airtight plastic bags.
• Change your stored water supply every six months so it stays fresh.
• Replace your stored food every six months.
• Re-think your kit and family needs at least once a year. Replace batteries, update clothes, etc.
• Ask your physician or pharmacist about storing prescription medications.

Source/Reference: American Red Cross, National Hurricane Survival Initiative