NEWSROOM
Ask
yourself these questions to see if you’re prepared for a
storm
May
9, 2008
With hurricane season
approaching, it’s a good time to ask yourself a few questions
to determine if you’re appropriately prepared, experts with
the LSU AgCenter stress.
“Having
the right answers before a storm comes your way can help you be
prepared if a hurricane strikes,” LSU AgCenter housing specialist
Dr. Claudette Reichel advises.
Reichel and
LSU disaster education coordinator Pat Skinner also say that even
if you’ve been through a hurricane before, it’s easy
to forget some of the preparations that can protect your property
and family.
“It’s
a good idea to review your plans and make sure you haven’t
left anything off,” Skinner says, adding, “Taking
the right precautions before a storm comes your way has the potential
to save time, money, hassles and even lives if a hurricane strikes.”
The LSU AgCenter
experts say taking the following hurricane quiz can help you gauge
whether you’re prepared. It’s time to take action
if you answer “No” or “I don’t know”
to any of these 20 questions:
–Do
you have a disaster survival plan?
–Have
you planned an evacuation route and destination?
–Do
you have an emergency communication plan for staying in touch
or getting messages to friends and family?
–Is
your homeowner's and flood insurance coverage up to date and sufficient
to replace your home and belongings if they are damaged or destroyed?
–Do
you have an inventory of your property and belongings?
–Do
you have copies of your insurance policies, household inventory
and other important papers, as well as other valuables, in a safe
place – one that’s waterproof and fireproof?
–Do
you know how to turn off your utilities (electricity, gas and
water)?
–Do
you have a plan and supplies on hand to protect and secure your
home, outdoor items, boat, pool and so forth?
–Has
your roof been inspected within the past six months?
–Have
you trimmed the trees and shrubs around your house?
–Has
your car been maintained, and are the tires, including the spare,
in good condition?
–Do
you have a plan of what to do with food in your refrigerator and
freezer in the event of a possible power outage?
–Is
your emergency phone list up-to-date and handy?
–Do
you have emergency survival supplies such as batteries, a battery-operated
radio, flashlights, lanterns, fuel, nonperishable food for three
days, water jugs, manual can opener, medicines, traveler’s
checks or cash, and so forth on hand?
–Do
you have an emergency supply kit for your car?
–Do
you have a plan of how to take care of family members with special
needs (those with disabilities, infants or the elderly) in the
event of a disaster?
–Have
you decided what you will do with your animals if you must evacuate
because of various types of hazards?
–Have
you budgeted for the added expenses to protect your home, buy
supplies, evacuate, clean up and recover?
–Have
you discussed your emergency plans, duties and rules with your
family?
–Do
you know that the LSU AgCenter offers publications and other free
information on disaster cleanup and recovery on its Web site (www.lsuagcenter.com)
and through its parish LSU AgCenter Extension offices across the
state?
“Don’t
flirt with disaster for your family or your home,” Skinner
cautions. “Get the right answers now, before a major storm
heads your way.”
Louisiana
residents can buy certain hurricane preparedness items free of
sales tax on May 24-25. During the two-day period, the first $1,500
in purchases of certain supplies will be exempt from state sale
tax. Visit the Louisiana Department of Revenue’s Web site
at www.revenue.louisiana.gov
for more details on the “sales tax holiday.”
For more
information on preparing for a disaster or recovering from one,
contact your parish LSU AgCenter Extension office.
You also
may find the online versions of such publications as “There’s
a Hurricane Forming” in the publications section of the
LSU AgCenter's Web site at www.lsuagcenter.com.
Other resources also are available by visiting the Hazard and
Threats section listed under Family and Home on the AgCenter Web
site or by going directly to www.lsuagcenter.com/hurricanes.
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