09/11/2024
I saw a really informative post which I thought I'd share.
you do not have to do all this but this is my prep list I always glance over before a storm
From my notes app to yours 🙂
Water Storage & Hacks:
1. Fill Bathtubs with Water: Use a bathtub liner like for clean storage of water.
2. Frozen Water Bottles: Fill plastic bottles or jugs with water and freeze. They act as ice packs and provide drinking water as they melt.
3. Ziploc Bag Ice Packs: Fill Ziploc bags with water, freeze flat, and stack them in your freezer. Use them as ice packs and for drinking.
4. Use Every Container: Fill every large pot, container, or clean bin you have with water. Cover with plastic wrap to keep it clean.
5. Fill Washing Machine with Water: You can store water in a clean washing machine for non-drinking purposes (e.g., washing or flushing toilets).
6. Rainwater Collection: Set up buckets or a tarp system to collect rainwater for washing or flushing, especially if the storm leaves prolonged power outages.
Food Storage & Hacks
1. Freeze Everything: Freeze perishables like milk, bread, and meats before the storm to extend their life.
2. Cooler with Dry Ice: Keep a cooler filled with dry ice to maintain frozen goods for longer without power.
3. Pre-cook and Freeze Meals: Cook meals and freeze them. They’ll act as ice packs and be ready to reheat when you have access to heat sources.
4. Vacuum-Seal Foods: Vacuum-seal meats, veggies, and fruits. They last longer and take up less freezer space.
5. Use a Styrofoam Cooler: Line it with frozen water bottles or dry ice. A styrofoam cooler stays cold longer than regular ones.
6.Use Mason Jars: Store pantry items like rice, pasta, and flour in mason jars to protect them from moisture and pests during a hurricane.
7. Make Use of the Grill: If the power goes out, cook perishable foods on the grill before they spoil. A propane grill can also be used to boil water.
Light & Power Hacks:
1. Solar-Powered Garden Lights: Bring your solar garden lights inside at night to use as indoor lighting.
2. DIY Oil Lamps: Use vegetable oil and cotton string as makeshift oil lamps in small jars.
3. Hand-Crank Chargers: These are great for keeping your phone charged when the power is out.
4. Glow Sticks: Use glow sticks for safe, portable lighting for kids’ rooms or hallways.
5. Headlamps on Water Jugs: Strap a headlamp around a gallon of water. The light diffuses through the water, creating a makeshift lantern.
Temperature Control Hacks:
1. DIY AC with Frozen Water Bottles: Place frozen water bottles or ice packs in front of a battery-operated or solar-powered fan for a DIY air conditioner.
2. Mylar Emergency Blankets: Use these to block out sun or insulate windows to keep cool air in.
3. Wear Wet Bandanas or Cooling Towels: Keep your body cool by soaking towels or bandanas in cold water and wearing them around your neck.
Communication & Navigation Hacks:
1. Walkie-Talkies: Keep these handy for communication if cell towers go down.
2. Charge All Electronics:Charge power banks, laptops, and any devices before the storm to extend their usability.
3. Write Down Important Numbers: Save essential contact information on paper in case your phone dies.
4. Download Offline Maps: Download offline maps on your phone in case GPS goes down.
5.Emergency Radio: Get a hand-crank NOAA radio for weather updates when the internet or TV goes out.
Home Protection & Preparation Hacks:
1. Duct Tape Windows: If you don’t have shutters, crisscross duct tape on windows to minimize shattering (though it won’t prevent breakage).
2. Cover Windows with Plywood: If no storm shutters, board windows with plywood to protect against flying debris.
3. Use Zip Ties or Rope: Tie down outdoor furniture, grills, and anything else that might become a projectile in high winds.
4. Use Sandbags: Place sandbags around doorways and garage doors to prevent flooding.
5. Trim Trees: Trim dead or weak branches around your house to prevent damage from falling limbs.
6. Plastic Sheeting: Cover important documents, electronics, or furniture with plastic sheeting to protect from potential leaks or flooding.
Comfort & Entertainment Hacks:
1. Download Shows & Movies: Download entertainment before the storm in case internet and cable go out.
2. Board Games & Cards: Have non-electronic entertainment like board games and playing cards to pass the time.
3. Portable Fans: Battery-operated fans can be a lifesaver for sleeping without AC.
4. White Noise App: Download white noise or calming sounds on your phone to block out the noise of the storm.
5. Cuddle Up with Pets: Pets can help calm kids during a storm, so keep their favorite blankets or toys nearby.
Safety & Sanitation:
2. Ziplock Bags for Toilets: Use large, heavy-duty trash bags inside your toilet bowl as a liner if plumbing goes out. Dispose of waste safely by tying off the bag.
3. Baby Wipes & Sanitizers: Stock up on baby wipes, hand sanitizers, and body wipes for hygiene when water is scarce.
4. Bucket Toilet: Line a bucket with a trash bag and kitty litter for a temporary toilet solution.
5. Keep Shoes by the Bed: If the storm causes damage and you need to move through debris, you’ll want shoes handy.
Pets & Kids Hacks:
1. Noise-Canceling Headphones for Kids: Help children feel less anxious about the storm by giving them noise-canceling headphones.
2. Calming Sprays for Pets: Use pet-calming sprays or jackets like ThunderShirts to help keep pets relaxed. CBD treats
3. Pet Emergency Kit: Pack a kit with food, water, and medicine for your pets.
4. Kids' Emergency Bag: Fill a small bag with snacks, games, and comfort items to keep kids calm during the storm.
Miscellaneous Hacks:
1. Keep Cash on Hand: ATMs might not work, so keep small bills on hand for essential purchases.
2. Pack an Emergency Go-Bag: Include items like clothes, snacks, water, first-aid supplies, and important documents in case you need to evacuate.
3. Use Pillows for Protection: If you're in an area of the house vulnerable to debris, use pillows and blankets as a buffer to protect yourself from flying glass.
4. Pre-Freeze Ziplock Bags: Fill Ziploc bags with water, pre-freeze them, and place them in your fridge to keep food cooler longer if power goes out.
5. Move Electronics to Higher Ground:Protect valuable electronics from potential flooding by moving them off the ground.
