I was going to post this blog a few days ago on things to do… before a storm but our home renovations (latest pasabog: the sink of one of the bathrooms on the 2nd floor has a leak and it has seeped through the ceiling of Tom’s office on the ground floor, argh!!!) got in the way. It’s raining outside and inside our house.
Anyway, it’s never too late to prepare for storm season.
Tips on how to prepare for a storm:
• Program your phone with important emergency numbers such as your barangay’s emergency numbers, power and water utility hotlines etc. rescue services. Having emergency contact information at your fingertips will save some time and frustration if the lights go out.
• Familiarize yourself with how to report a power outage.
• If your power goes out during a storm, you’ll need to report it immediately.
• Know how to get storm recovery updates and stay up-to-date on changing weather conditions. Go online, listen to the radio or get updates from the news on TV.
• Make sure your cell phone is fully charged. Having a fully charged powerbank helps too.
• If you have a portable computer with a way to access the Internet when there’s a power outage, make sure that it, too, has a full charge. Remember, if the battery in your cell phone dies down before your power is back up, with the proper accessory, you can recharge it from your car’s 12 volt power outlet.
• Set refrigerator and freezer controls to coldest settings. f there’s a power outage, the food will be colder and last longer. Remember to keep the doors shut during the outage and to reset the controls when power is restored.
• Fill your car’s gas tank. It could become necessary for you to evacuate and travel to a safer location. Gas stations may be without power, too.
• Get cash. ATMs and credit card readers could be out of service if power or telecommunications lines are down.
• Fill your bathtub, buckets, jugs with water. You’ll need the water to wash and flush toilets.
• Plan how you will feed your family. Without power, it may be difficult to prepare meals at home. If outages are widespread, or travel is dangerous, restaurants may not be available.
• Plan for alternate lodging. Call a friend or relative and give them a heads up in case your place gets flooded and you’ll be needing temporary shelter.
• Stock up on food, water and clothes supply for donations.
Gather these items:
• Flashlights/rechargeable lamps
• Battery or hand crank-powered radio
• Extra batteries
• Fully charged cell phone and powerbanks
• Drinking water
• Non-perishable food/children’s milk and food
• Manual can opener
• Soap
• Paper plates and plastic utensils
• Raincoats, umbrellas and rain boot
• Dry clothes and footwear
• Toys for kids
• Floatation device
Feel free to add to the list on the comment box.
Stay informed and if you can help out those who are in need.