Red Cross urges homes and businesses to prepare for hurricanes

NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Theresa HousePublic Relations Representative
American Red Cross, Greater Richmond Chapter
Office: 804.780.2297 § Cell: 804.396.0186
Email: houset@usa.redcross.org
http://www.greaterrichmond.redcross.org/


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 5, 2008

Red Cross urges homes and businesses to prepare for hurricanes

RICHMOND, Va.—With Hanna on the way and an active hurricane season forecasted, the Red Cross encourages people to prepare now, not later. By compiling a disaster supplies kit, developing an evacuation plan and forming a communications plan, many potential injuries and problems can be prevented.Hurricanes are predicable storms.

Though hurricanes are easily tracked and have advance warning periods, they can quickly change direction, speed and intensity. The only defense is preparation. The following safety tips are recommended by the Red Cross:

Research your home and business
Find out if your building meets building code requirements for high-winds. Structures built to meet or exceed current codes have a better chance of surviving windstorms.

Prepare the building for high winds:

• Remove dead or diseased branches and limbs and check windows.
• Cut and dispose of dead or diseased branches from trees and tall shrubs so they do not break and become missiles during high winds.
• If you do not have pre-installed hurricane shutters, get outdoor plywood and cut it to fit every window in the home.

Check garage doors
Garage doors are frequently the first feature in a building to fail. Reinforce garage doors so they can withstand high winds.

Prepare a disaster supplies kit

• Include a battery-powered radio, flashlight, extra batteries, first aid kit, canned food, manual can opener, bottled water (three gallons per day) and medications.
• Store food that does not require heating and any items you may need for infants, elderly, or disabled family members.

Know the meaning of hurricane watch and hurricane warning

• A hurricane watch means a hurricane is possible in your area. Keep listening to NOAA Weather Radio, local radio or television for updated information.
• A hurricane warning means a hurricane will soon occur in your area. If you are told to evacuate the area, do so immediately.

Listen to local authorities and stay alert to broadcasts

• If local authorities ask you to leave, do so right away. You will need as much time as possible to evacuate, due to higher-than-usual traffic volumes.
• Listen to NOAA Water Radio and local television broadcasts for the latest information about the storm.
• Consult information provided by your local emergency management agency.

Prepare a family communication plan
Designate a friend or relative outside your area as your family contact in the eventyou are separated from family members during a hurricane.

If you live in a mobile home
No mobile home is safe in hurricane force winds. If you live in a mobile home, relocate to a safer structure until the storm passes.

Prepare your business

• Have a disaster supplies kit on hand, including a NOAA Weather Radio with a tone alert feature. Keep it on and when the signal sounds, listen for information about the weather.
• Back-up computer data frequently and keep a back-up off site. Use UL-listed surge protectors and battery back-up systems.
• Consult with your insurance agent about precautions to take for disasters that may directly impact your business, including business continuity insurance.
• Keep phone lists of employees and customers with you and provide lists to key employees.
• Arrange for programmable call forwarding for your main business line. Then, if you can’t get to the office, you can call in a reprogram the phones to ring elsewhere.

###