Are You Ready for Hurricane Season? Check Out These 10 Tips

It’s almost June, which in Florida means one thing: the start of hurricane season.

Wednesday night at Pinellas Park High School, 107 members of the school's First Responders and National Guard Center for Emergency Management magnet program got a head start on the season by hosting their 2nd annual Hurricane Preparedness Showcase.

The class, which focuses on skills and elements of a first responder career, decided to tackle the hurricane preparedness angle “since it is so important to the residents of our state,” according to program coordinator Jill Dileanis.

Here are 10 tips to prepare for a hurricane gleaned from the showcase:

1.) Emergency Kit: Have an emergency kit ready, which should include items like flashlights, a first aid kit, blankets, a battery-powered weather radio, non-perishable food and bottled water.

2.) Getting Out Safely: Is your home in a flood zone? Where are there shelters in your community? Have an evacuation route planned out in advance, including a destination, if you plan to ride out the storm by staying with friends or relatives.

3.) High and Dry: Take important documents and other valuable items and seal them in waterproof containers; store them in a high place, in the event of flooding.

4.) Hurricane-Proof Your Home: Make sure windows are protected by storm shutters or 5/8” plywood or metal sheeting.

5.) Plan Ahead with Medicines: Have a 3-5 day supply of up-to-date medications in their original containers on hand.

6.) Food and Water: Only take and/or store food that is non-perishable and low in sodium; water supplies should contain 1 gallon per person for at least three days.

7.) Take Extra Care: Is there a sick, elderly or disabled person in your household? Make sure you have extra help to evacuate people who need assistance, and also have two weeks' of their medication on hand.

8.) Make Preparations for Pets: Have a week's worth of canned food on hand, as well as water for pets. Check ahead with shetlers and other places you may stay to ensure that pets are welcome.

9.) Keep Numbers Handy: Have phone numbers for important services ready, including fire, police, paramedics, utility companies and the Red Cross.

10.) Be Vigilant: Hurricanes can cause a prolonged loss of power. Make sure vehicles are filled with gas, cell phones are charged, and you have plenty of cash on hand, in case bank machines are out of order.