August and September are the peak months for Hurricane season. For this reason, it’s more critical than ever to have a hurricane safety plan in place in the event of an emergency for you and your loved ones.
While people generally associate hurricane season with certain states (think Florida, Texas, Louisiana, etc.), hurricanes do strike other places. For instance, New Jersey was still recovering years later from the devastating effects of 2012’s Hurricane Sandy.
Like New Jerseyans, people in Vermont may have been surprised when they experienced Hurricane Irene in 2011. Vermont is not typically known for hurricanes, and the odds of a major hurricane striking New England is rather low. However, Irene devastated the state: as cited in the publication Inside Climate News, “More than 2,400 roads, 800 homes, and businesses, 300 bridges (including historic covered bridges) were destroyed. More than Half a dozen railroad lines were destroyed or damaged, according to the National Oceanic Administration Agency (NOAA).”
Meanwhile, places like the plains and Midwest region of the United States are not 100% safe, either. While they may not experience summer hurricanes on a scale as the east coast does. Consider the “bomb cyclones” that hammered this region during March of 2019. This “hurricane-force system has combined the worst weather of all four seasons into one — from a string of violent, tornadic thunderstorms to damaging winds, severe blizzard conditions and even flooding” (Washington Post, March 13, 2019: “Historic ‘bomb cyclone’ sets off severe storms, flooding, and a ‘dangerous’ blizzard in Plains and Midwest”)
Hurricane Safety Tips: Have a Safety Plan in Place
Clearly, it is vitally important – no matter where you live – to have a safety plan in place, as well as taking several proactive precautions. Follow the hurricane safety tips to know that you are prepared for anything that may come your way during hurricane season:
Stockpile food and water: If your area experiences a hurricane, it’s quite possible that you will be unable to access roads or supplies in a timely manner.Food and water may especially become a concern. Therefore be sure to keep bottled water and non-perishable food in a cool, dark place to have on hand. The CDC recommends at least 5 gallons of water per person. They recommend at least 3-5 days worth of food for each member of your family. If you have a baby or elderly person living in the home, stock up on formula, baby food, and medications as well.
Keep other supplies on hand: During a hurricane, it’s quite possible that you will lose electricity, so make sure you have plenty of flashlights with fresh batteries and candles (with matches or lighters) at the ready. Also, no electricity also means that you will not be able to charge your phones and other devices. Therefore, be sure to get into the habit of keeping all devices fully charged at all times. If your power suddenly goes out, this will give you the ability to continue to call friends and family if needed. Check out the CDC’s website under “Natural Disasters and Severe Weather” for additional suggestions for supplies. You should gather and store in a safe location like blankets and fire extinguishers.
Follow the weather:
Consider keeping a weather app on your phone, and enable the push notification feature. So you can receive alerts in case severe weather is headed your way. This will give you advance warning and time that you will need. Plus, in the event of an evacuation, you will have time to pack up and get your family safely out of the house. You have to be on the road before the winds and rain intensified.
Inform your family:
This includes maintaining a list of important, emergency phone numbers and educating everyone in your family as to where this list is located. Also map out routes to your nearest emergency shelter, and acquaint family members to the sounds of emergency alert sirens. (Source: https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/hurricanes/supplies.html).
Carry Silent Beacon, wherever you go:
Silent Beacon is your one-button push to safety – and it’s small enough to carry with you at all times. This lightweight, Bluetooth-enabled personal safety device pairs with the free Silent Beacon app. In an emergency, all you need to do is press the button on the Silent Beacon device. This triggers an alert, and all of your contacts (you may store up to seven) will receive a message that indicates that you are in distress. There are several options for pushing out your alerts: text, phone call, email, or a combination of the three. And when you pre-store your contacts on the Silent Beacon, you can include friends, family, emergency personnel – even 911!
There are other reasons that the Silent Beacon is the perfect companion in the event that you’re experiencing a hurricane. The GPS feature allows first responders to pinpoint your location immediately. It will be allowing them to get to you as quickly as possible.There is also a two-way communication feature that you can activate. Enabling this feature allows you to actually speak to contacts while you wait for assistance to arrive.
One of the best features of this device is that your alert goes directly to emergency personnel. You do not need to call center that plays middleman between you and the help you need. Perhaps best of all, you only need to purchase the device for the affordable $99 price tag . . . and that’s it. There are no activation or cancellation fees, and there are absolutely no recurring fees or charges.
Enjoy the remainder of your summer. And in the event of extreme weather this August and September, follow these hurricane safety tips. Pick up your Silent Beacon today – to be prepared and keep you and your family safe.
