Posted June 28, 2010 by Michelle Myers

Live on the Coast? Saftey Tips during Hurricane Season!

Sure it's nice to step out on to your balcony, look out at the crystal clear blue waters, white sandy beaches, mango margarita in hand. Nice cool breeze hits your linen pants and you think, " Ahhhh, this is the life!" But then, sometimes there are times when you step outside and that nice cool breeze has turned into 150 mph winds pounding you down, the nice sandy beach is now sitting right on your doorstep along with boats, trees, your neigboors dog from down the street and that nice tropical drink is now salty sea water! Now your thinking, " Maybe I should have bought that nice little cabin up in the mountains!" Hurrican season has arrived!

Right now there is a tropical storm in the Gulf of Mexico that meteorologist are saying could possibly turn into a category 3 hurricane. Hurricanes lately have been hitting our wonderful Texas state hard for the last couple of years. In September of 2008 down in the Galveston/Houston, TX area Hurricane Ike made landfall. Over 100,000 homes were flooded and about 5 million people were without power and gas. A lot of cities near Southeast Texas were still recovering from Hurrican Gustav who hit the month prior and Hurricane Rita who hit that same region back 2005. Although most tropical storms don't turn into hurricanes it's still important to know what you need to do incase you you and your family are put in the path of one. Here are a few tips that you and your family need to know.

Tip #1 Evacuation- Make a kit. You always need to be prepared if you are ordered to evacuate your city. Most of the time you will not have time to pack or grab everything that you need to leave. Make sure the kit has your social security card, credit cards, birth certificates, passports, etc.) Be sure to wear warm clothes, and bring enough food and water for 3 days. Make a plan. Talk to your family members. That way everybody knows what to do when the time comes. Also, talk to your relatives so they know the plan and know where you might be staying so they know you are safe.

Tip #2 Secure your home-  You want to protect your home as good as you can. Try installing impact-resistant windows, and storm shutters. Most of the time applying plywood to the outside of the window is a good idea to keep the windows from breaking. Be sure all doors, and windows are securely locked before leaving your home.

Tip #3 Stay Indoors- If you dont have time to leave home before it hits make sure you and your family relocates to a central area of the house in a "safe room" where there are no windows or glass. Turn off all applicances and utilities. Have a flashlight and a battery operated radio so you can be kept up to date of the hurrican's status in your area.

Tip #4 Stay Calm- In a situation like this it is best to keep your family calm.If there are kids, bring toys or games to keep them calm.  Explain to your children how a hurricane is formed that way their understanding of the hurricane takes the fear out of the situation. Bring some familar items for the kids with you if you are evacuating. Pictures, blankets, anything that will help them cope with the situation. It is best to always keep your family's mood positive and assuring them that everything is ok.

 

I hope that some of these tips will help you and your family if you are ever faced with this situation and remember always have a plan, try and stay calm, secure your home and if you can't evecuate, stay indoors. Don't go back to your home unless state authorities have told you it is safe to go back. Make plans with family members or friends to stay with them until you can go back.

Web sites:

http://www.familyhomesecurity.com/keep-your-family-safe-during-a-hurricane/

http://www.wsws.org/articles/2008/sep2008/hurr-s15.shtml