Hurricane Checklist

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Hurricane Kit

Flashlights and extra bulbs
Battery-operated radio
Fully charged battery-operated lanterns. Don't get candles and kerosene lanterns. They are fire hazards.
Extra batteries
Matches
Clock (wind-up or battery-operated)
Plastic garbage bags
Working fire extinguishers
Scissors
Clean change of clothes, rain gear, sturdy swamp boots
An inexpensive rabbit-ears television antenna to use if cable goes out

House Checklist

Gather supplies early
Store loose outdoor items
Anchor small sheds
Trim dead branches from trees and shrubs
Put chorine in pool - protect filter motor
Tape or board up windows
Fill gas tank of cars - park in safe place
Remove valuables (furniture and rugs) from the floor
Move furniture away from window - cover with plastic
Put important documents in waterproof container
Get extra cash (ATMs may lose power)
Keep tuned to Bay News 9 for the latest information

Food and Water

Bottled water. Figure on a gallon of drinking water per person per day.
Shelf-package juice and milk boxes
Canned and powdered milk
Beverages (powdered or canned, fruit juices, instant coffee, tea)
Prepared foods (canned soups, beef, spaghetti, tuna, chicken, ham, corned beef hash, fruit cocktail, packaged pudding)
Canned vegetables and fruits
Dried fruits
Snacks (crackers, cookies, hard candy, nuts)
Snack spreads (peanut butter, cheese spreads, jelly)
Cereals
Raw vegetables
Sugar, salt, pepper
Bread
Dry and canned pet food
Right now, buy all the nonperishable foods you will need, put them in a box and leave them alone, except to rotate stock. Stock up on ice and pack coolers as early as possible. Freezing them ahead of time is less hassle than fighting for them at a store.
Before the storm, turn your refrigerator and freezer to the coldest setting and drape blankets over them, but keep bottom vents clear. Then move perishables you'll use first into ice chests to limit opening of refrigerators.
Designate one cooler you will open regularly; fill that with drinks and less perishable items. Set aside other coolers for more perishable things such as meats and open them only rarely.
Crank up your ice maker, break out the ice cube trays or fill jugs with water, so you can be making and storing ice in your freezer or coolers around the clock.
Store cubes or small blocks of ice in sealed bags and containers so you can drink it after it melts.
Clean your bathtub out, then wash it with bleach. Rinse thoroughly. If possible, line it with plastic. Then fill it and as many clean bottles as you can with drinking water. Fill your toilet tank; you'll want it to flush after the storm.

Hardware

Hand tools - hammer, screwdrivers to use now, shovel and pickax for after the storm
Power screwdriver
4x8-foot sheets of plywood 5/8-inch to 1/2-inch thick to put over windows. Ask for exterior plywood.
1/4 machine screw sockets and screws
Plastic sheeting to cover furniture
Rope
Sturdy working gloves
Duct tape to waterproof items; masking tape isn't strong enough.
Canvas tarps
Nails. There are many kinds, so look over your home now and determine what you will need.

Medical Needs

Medic-alert tags
Insect-repellent sprays and candles
Feminine hygiene items
Sunscreen
Soap
First-aid kit and first-aid handbook
A supply of any prescription drugs
Extra over-the-counter medicine (for colds, allergies, cough)
Children's medicines
Aspirin
Bandages
Adhesive tape
Cotton-tipped swabs
Antiseptic solution
Sterile rolls, bandages
Ear drops
Thermometer
Tweezers
Needles
Disinfectant

Baby Needs

Disposable diapers, wipes
Formula, baby food
Diaper rash ointment, petroleum jelly
Baby medicines (pain, cold, cough)
Medicine dropper

Emergency Toilet

Small can with tight lid
Plastic bags for liners
Disinfectant or bleach
Deodorizer

Kitchen Supplies

Plastic to line bathtub to fill with water
Jugs or containers to store water
Water purification tablets (usually available only in drug stores), 2 percent tincture of iodine or ordinary household bleach, which contains hypochlorite as its only active ingredient - not bleach with soap, lemon or other additives.
Manual can opener
Bottle opener
Matches
Pocketknife - preferably Swiss Army style
Camp stove or other cooking device and plenty of fuel. Use canned fuel, not charcoal or gas
Disposable dishes
Ice chests or coolers
Paper plates, napkins, cutlery, cups