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  Q&A: Emergency Preparedness for Homeowners

  HouseLogic talks to Red Cross disaster response expert Court Ogilvie about emergency preparedness for homeowners. Read

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  Is the Cost of Hurricane Insurance Worth It?

  Decide whether to buy hurricane insurance long before the storm clouds appear. Read

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  Give Your Community the Gift of Emergency Preparedness

  Creating a neighborhood disaster preparedness plan can safeguard your family, neighbors, and property, while strengthening and unifying your neighborhood. Read

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  Create a Home Emergency Preparedness Kit

  Having a home emergency preparedness kit could be the key to your family’s safety if disaster strikes. Read

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  Insuring Against Natural Disasters

  Your homeowners insurance covers many of life’s disasters, just not some natural disasters like earthquakes and floods, so consider supplemental policies. Read

Make sure that your flood insurance is in order – Many people are under the impression that flood insurance is automatically covered by your home owner’s policy, this is not the case.

Start stocking up for your Disaster Supply Kit – canned foods, batteries, bottled water, can opener, cooking tools, paper plates and plastic utensils, first aid kit, and a battery operated radio are standard supplies to keep on hand.

Make sure that all your pets’ immunizations are up to date – you never know if you’ll have to evacuate and place your pets in a shelter. Make sure that you have a carrier and leash as well.

Making sure that these few things are taken care of, can ease your mind in a stressful time.

The best way to remain safe during a hurricane or a tropical storm is to be prepared! Make a list of all the supplies that you will need and plan a shopping trip. Locate your flashlights, battery operated radios and make sure your gas grills are full. If you have pets, now the time to check on their supplies, as well. Get your pet carriers ready, stock up on dog food, prescriptions and locate any pet friendly shelters in the area. Look around your yard and see if there are any loose items that could be blown away during high winds and spend a few minutes picking them up.

Even if Tropical Storm Fay doesn’t head up this way, it never hurts to be prepared!

Other related topics that may be of interest

Are you prepared for hurricane season in West Central Florida?

Let’s start with a “Hurricane Kit”. A well stocked disaster supply kit should have a first aid kit, canned foods and a manual can opener, at least 3 gallons of water for each person in your family, raingear for each family member, battery powered radio and a flashlight with extra batteries for each. This is just a basic list, feel free to add anything else pertinent to your individual family members needs. Keep these items in a waterproof tote readily available for when the time comes.

If your home does not have hurricane shutters precut 1/2″ outdoor plywood boards for each window of your home. Keep your trees trimmed back by removing any damaged limbs. Make sure that your tie-downs for your manufactured home are in working order.

In the event of a hurricane warning bring any lawn furniture, outdoor decorations (like hanging plants or wind chimes) and trash cans inside. Cover all the windows of your home. Fill your gas tanks in case of an evacuation.

Don’t forget your pets. Make sure that they are current on their vaccinations. Have a pet carrier for each one of your pets (make sure that they are big enough for your pet to stand and turn around. In Hernando County, there is a pet friendly shelter available to you at D.S. Parrott Middle School, 19220 Youth Drive, Brooksville, Fl., 352-796-5062. Pre-registration is available but not required. There is also a pet friendly shelter in Citrus county, Lecanto Elementary School, 3790 W. Education Path, Lecanto.

As always listen to NOAA Weather Radio or local radio or TV stations for up-to-date storm information.