Hurricane Season 2014 Is Here. Are You Prepared?
Leonardtown, MD – The 2014 hurricane season begins today, June 1, and continues through November 30. The season brings the potential for tropical systems which could have a direct impact on Southern Maryland. The St. Mary’s County Department of Emergency Services and Technology reminds residents that now is the time to prepare.
A critical step you can take to sustain yourself and your family during a disaster is to create an emergency kit before disaster strikes. The kit contains items you might need, including food, water. medications, a flashlight, radio, and batteries. These items will help if you are asked to stay home for as long as three days.
However, a kit may also be useful in case you are asked to evacuate your home. If the items you need are already gathered in your emergency kit, you will not have scramble at the last minute to search for important items.
Your emergency kit should include the following items:
- Water – one gallon per person per day for at least three days
- Food – a three day supply of non-perishable food
- Can Opener – manual hand-cranking
- Radio – battery powered or hand-cranking
- Flashlight – with extra batteries
- First Aid Kit
- Medication – a three day supply
- Toiletries – for personal hygiene
- Copies of Important Documents – insurance policies, identification, and bank accounts in a waterproof container
- Other Items (depending on the household) – infant formula and diapers, extra clothing, books or games for children
Tip: prior to an emergency fill a large bowl with water and place it in the freezer and let it freeze. If you lose power, the ice will melt providing you with another source of water.
For information on how to assemble an emergency kit is available at these sites: www.stmarysmd.com/est/beprepared.asp or www.ready.gov.
