During a Hurricane

During the Storm: Staying Safe and Calm
As the hurricane approaches, it is crucial to prioritize safety and remain calm. The steps you take during the storm can make a significant difference in ensuring the well-being of you, your family, and your pets. Here is a comprehensive guide on what to do during a hurricane to stay safe and manage stress effectively.

Stay Indoors and Find a Safe Room
Stay Indoors: The most important rule during a hurricane is to stay indoors. Do not venture outside, as the winds and debris can be extremely dangerous.

Find a Safe Room: Identify the safest room in your home, typically an interior room without windows, such as a bathroom, closet, or basement. This is where you should huddle during the worst parts of the storm. Make sure all family members and pets are in the safe room.

Keep Communication Devices Charged and Ready
Charge All Devices: Before the storm hits, ensure all your communication devices, such as cell phones, tablets, and radios, are fully charged. Consider having portable chargers or power banks available as well.

Stay Informed: Use your devices to stay updated on the storm’s progress. Listen to local authorities and weather updates for crucial information about the storm’s path and any emergency instructions.

Listen to Authorities and Evacuate if Necessary
Follow Official Guidance: Pay close attention to announcements from local authorities and emergency services. If they advise evacuation, do so immediately. Delaying evacuation can put you and your family at greater risk.

Evacuate When Told: If you are instructed to evacuate, follow the evacuation routes provided by officials and leave as soon as possible. Take your emergency kit, important documents, and any essential items with you.
Stay Occupied and Manage Stress

Keep Occupied: Staying busy can help alleviate stress and anxiety during the storm. Engage in activities such as reading books, playing board games, or working on puzzles.

Keep Kids and Pets Occupied:
For Kids: Prepare a box of toys, games, and books that can keep them entertained. Coloring books, storybooks, and board games are great options. Consider creating a “storm activity bag” with their favorite items.

For Pets: Have toys and treats on hand to keep your pets calm and distracted. Create a comfortable space for them in the safe room.
Additional Safety Tips

Emergency Kit: Ensure your emergency kit is within reach and fully stocked with essentials like water, non-perishable food, medications, flashlights, batteries, and first aid supplies.

Protect Important Documents: Keep important documents in a waterproof container. These should include identification, insurance papers, medical records, and any other critical paperwork.

Stay Away from Windows: Avoid going near windows and doors. Flying debris can shatter glass and cause serious injuries.
Use Flashlights, Not Candles: In case of a power outage, use flashlights instead of candles to reduce the risk of fire.

Monitor Weather Conditions: Keep a battery-operated weather radio handy to receive continuous updates, especially if the power goes out.

Maintain Hygiene: Have hand sanitizers, wet wipes, and other hygiene products available to maintain cleanliness, especially if water supplies are disrupted.

Facing a hurricane is an anxiety-inducing experience filled with uncertainty and potential destruction. The relentless howling winds and lashing rain can trigger fear and stress, making it essential to prioritize safety and take common-sense precautions to protect yourself and your loved ones. Stay indoors and away from windows to avoid flying debris and hazardous conditions. Keep emergency supplies close at hand, including flashlights, batteries, non-perishable food, and drinking water, and listen attentively to updates and warnings from local authorities.

For parents with children, the challenge goes beyond safeguarding physical safety; it also involves providing emotional comfort during the storm. As the winds rage outside, creative distractions can help ease tension and take young minds off the storm’s fear. Here are ten engaging and imaginative activities to occupy children during the storm:

Storytelling Time: Create magical tales and adventures, where little ones are the heroes and heroines, transporting them to fantastical worlds far away from the storm’s reality.

Board Games by Flashlight: Play classic board games with a twist, adding a flashlight to create a fun and unique experience.

Draw the Storm: Encourage children to express their emotions through art by drawing what they imagine the storm looks like outside.

Build a Storm Fort: Use blankets and cushions to create a cozy fort in the living room where the family can huddle together and feel safe.

Indoor Scavenger Hunt: Organize a scavenger hunt with clues leading to hidden treasures around the house, turning the storm into an exciting adventure.

Create a Family Hurricane Preparedness Plan: Involve children in a family preparedness plan, allowing them to feel empowered and prepared for any future storms.

DIY Science Experiments: Conduct simple and safe science experiments using household items, turning the storm into a learning opportunity.

Shadow Puppets: Entertain with shadow puppet shows on the walls, using hands and flashlights to create characters and stories.

Indoor Camping: Set up a mini-indoor camping experience with sleeping bags, stories, and snacks.

Dance Party: Create a dance party with favorite tunes, turning the living room into a hurricane dance floor.

By engaging children in these captivating activities, parents can help them cope with the anxiety of the storm while strengthening family bonds. In times of uncertainty, fostering a sense of togetherness and safety can make all the difference in weathering the storm’s emotional challenges.