A Good Time To Review Hurricane Preparedness

While the National Hurricane Center's preparedness week was this past May, it's a good time to again review hurricane (and general disaster) preparedness considering that the US is entering the height of the Atlantic basin hurricane season and several storms are churning up the Atlantic Ocean.

The key to preparedness is not only having a plan, but being familiar with the plan and having the key information and items handy in case disaster strikes.

Discuss the type of hazards that could affect your family. Know your home's vulnerability to storm surge, flooding and wind.

Locate a safe room or the safest areas in your home for each hurricane hazard. In certain circumstances the safest areas may not be your home but within your community.

Determine escape routes from your home and places to meet. These should be measured in tens of miles rather than hundreds of miles.

Have an out-of-state friend as a family contact, so all your family members have a single point of contact.

Make a plan now for what to do with your pets if you need to evacuate.

Post emergency telephone numbers by your phones and make sure your children know how and when to call 911.

Check your insurance coverage - flood damage is not usually covered by homeowners insurance.

Stock non-perishable emergency supplies and a Disaster Supply Kit.

Use a NOAA weather radio. Remember to replace its battery every 6 months, as you do with your smoke detectors.

Take First Aid, CPR and disaster preparedness classes.

Popular Mechanics has put together a list of things people should know - and many things that people are completely unaware and unprepared for. They've even got a handy checklist.