Yep. For many, it is the time to start mowing the lawn, dig out the fishing gear and the golf clubs. Get the boat out of storage and do the annual garage cleaning. You know the drill for wherever you live. This year you may even be able to have that annual family reunion or use the tennis racket.
But for many, it is also the storm season. If you live in the tornado belt you know what those summer thunderstorms can turn into. For the millions of us that live within 100 miles of a coastline, June starts the hurricane season. Unfortunately, in the ramp-up of other activities, we often forget one of the most important things. Storm preparedness.
Yes, not the most pleasant of tasks. Ranks up there with cleaning out the garage and attic or writing your will. However, unlike spring cleaning, reviewing and updating your storm preparedness plan can be a life-and-death issue.
Just for starters review your primary and secondary exit plans. Review these with all family members. What do you shut off (gas, main electrical breaker), empty the refrigerator and freezer, what do you take, who gets what to the car, which car to take, and a dozen other issues that need to be reviewed? When you need to bug out is no time to figure out these details. You will all be under stress and that often leads to very bad decisions.
Inventory your reserve of water, canned and dried food, batteries, and cash on hand. Build up these inventories a little at a time if needed and rotate those things that have a shelf life.
Maybe this is the year to buy that backup generator and stash some fuel.
In any case, don’t let this action get lost in the other things that summer brings.
Glad you found it timely. Tell Danny to use his influence to keep his hurricane under control.
Good info Ken. Hope for the best, but plan for the worst, life is a play, and we all are unrehearsed!
Well put, Danny.
Ken, your timing is perfect. Just today, Danny and I were at the senior center, playing pickel ball that just started up again after being closed for 14 months. As we were leaving we were handed an emergency packet, emergency documents to fill out, medical etc, all in the same bag. Hopefully we won’t ever have to use it, but your article is a good reminder. By the way, I just discovered that one of the Hurricane names this season is Danny. Lets hope that not a bad sign, Ha!!