Cooperative extension wants you to be hurricane ready

(MIAMI, June 1, 2012) – When you live in South Florida, hurricanes are a part of your life. The beautiful weather that we enjoy all year round can turn disastrous during hurricane season, which begins today June 1st, and ends on November 30th.  While we don’t know where Mother Nature will head this year, we do know one thing for sure, everyone should be prepared.

Below are tips from The Miami-Dade Cooperative Extension Service.  Following them will help keep your loved ones safe this hurricane season.

• Learn about your community’s emergency plan, evacuation routes and locations of emergency shelters.
• Verify if you live in an evacuation zone.
• Develop and review a family evacuation plan.  Ensure your family knows meeting places, phone numbers and safety rules.  Conduct drills.
• Check and replenish hurricane supplies.
• Shop for a 3-7 day supply of water and non-perishable food.
• Store at least one gallon of drinking water per person, per day (two quarts for drinking, two quarts for preparation/sanitation).
• Post emergency phone numbers at every phone.
• Review insurance policies and make copies.
• Prepare a “Family Document Kit.”
• Take an itemized inventory of household goods.
• Take photos of your home inside and out.
• Video tape documentation of all valuables in home.
• Purchase or prepare a “First Aid Kit.”
• Trim trees early.
• Inspect shutters.
• Make plans for persons with special needs, and pets.

For resources on food supply lists, water supplies and other disaster kits, visit Miami-Dade County’s Extension website at http://miami-dade.ifas.ufl.edu or call 305-592-8044 ext. 106.