With hurricane season quickly approaching, Handex would like to take this opportunity to remind our readers, clients and friends how to prepare and stay safe during a hurricane. The unexpected can happen in the blink of an eye, so it is important to be prepared and have a plan. Tropical cyclones are among the most powerful and destructive natural forces.
In honor of Hurricane Preparedness Week (May 15-21, 2016), Handex’s health and safety team would like to give you a few tips for staying safe during the upcoming season:
1. Determine Your Risk Level
Hurricanes affect more than just coastal areas. Even neighborhoods several hundred miles inland can receive strong winds and heavy rains. Contact your local government to determine what hazards threaten your area and prepare accordingly.
2. Develop a Plan
What will you do if a hurricane hits your area? If you live in an evacuation zone, you’ll need to figure out where you will go and how you will get there. If you plan on riding out the storm from your home, be sure to find a closet or basement where there are no windows or other hazards that you can use to stay safe.
3. Gather Supplies
Not only will you need supplies for the duration of the storm, but for the aftermath as well. Make sure to have enough food and water to last several days or even weeks if your power goes out. Also be sure to keep batteries, flashlights or candles, and portable cell phone chargers around, too.
4. Protect Your Home
Nobody wants to come home to find their house has been destroyed because they didn’t board up their windows.
5. Put it in Writing
After you have come up with a plan and a list of supplies, write it all down. You don’t want to forget anything essential in all the chaos and confusion.
Be Prepared
Hurricane Preparedness Week (May 15-21, 2016) is the time to prepare for potential hurricanes or tropical storms in your area. To learn more about hurricane preparedness, view the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Preparedness Guide.
