Winter Garden Magazine June 2015 | Page 23

• If you have a generator, do NOT run it inside or near the house. But make sure you have fuel to run it. • Make sure your car has fuel. • Pick up yard debris - furniture, tools, decorative items, branches - anything loose that could become a missile. It is okay to place furniture in the pool. • Secure boats, trailers, campers, RVs, and the like in the safest place you can find. Tie them down, anchor them, or however you can best secure them. But, take into account that there may be a storm surge. • Secure all doors and windows with locks, and shutters if available. Plywood, properly secured, can be effective. Don’t forget your garage doors. • Move items that may be damaged by water to higher areas of your home if you can not take them with you if evacuating. Move them away from windows in case they are broken. • Huge items must even be secured in big storms. An engine block was found 40 or 50 feet up in a pine tree in the Homestead (actually Redlands) area after Andrew. Don’t think that something is too big to be moved by the wind. • Re-check tie-downs. • Bring cars, bikes, scooters and anything like that into your garage if possible. thunderstorms because lightening is rare in a hurricane, but it is better to be safe. After a Storm • Know power safety - avoid downed lines • Know food safety - what is good and for how long. • Chain saw safety is critical • Generator safety is important too • Water treatment - whether water needs to be boiled or not. • Listen to local officials • Use flashlights instead of candles • Inspect your home for damage. • Stay off roads as much as possible • You may need to super-chlorinate your pool Boat Prep 1. Move life jackets and first aid kits to house 2. Remove cushions and lose items (e.g. boat tops) and move to garage 3. Anchor hatch covers • Bring in grills or other cooking items. 4. Move to maximum davit height, fasten cables  • Bring in hoses, trash cans, hot tu