How to keep yourself and family safe during hurricane season

It is important to be prepared in case of a natural disaster. With the world staying quarantined in their houses, its best to help keep your house and family safe from all of Florida’s natural storms. Here are some tips below to help keep you safe from hurricanes.

Trim troublesome trees:

Storms wreak havoc on trees – be sure to have a professional remove or trim large, high branches that are a threat to you, your property, and neighbors.

Prepare an emergency care kit:

Emergency kits are crucial especially if you have little ones in the house. Make sure you assemble a survival kit so you have it ready when a natural disaster hits. Include:

1. Flashlights with extra batteries or a crank-up model

2. Portable radio with extra batteries or a crank-up model

3.  First-aid kit

4.  Necessary medical supplies including prescription drugs

5. At least one gallon of drinking water per person per day for at least three days

6. Three-day supply of ready-to-eat food 

7. Manual can opener

8. A waterproof, fireproof container with valuable papers

Stay on Lockdown:

If you’re at home during a hurricane, locking all your doors and windows to reduce vibration and keeps everything a bit calmer, close drapes and blinds to contain broken glass. But most importantly, stay away from windows.

Stabilize broken windows:

If a window cracks during a not-too-fierce storm, put duct tape over the crack to prevent it from spreading.

Wait it out:

Are hurricane winds suddenly dying off? Do not become impatient to go outside. Keeping a close eye on a tropical storm or hurricane is important. The weather can change into gusty rains quickly.

Invest in sandbags:

Below is a list of counties and locations currently providing sandbags. This list will be updated as more locations open and close.

Winter Park

On Friday, residents will be able to pick up sandbags from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The list of locations include:

• Ward Park & Showalter Stadium Parking Lot (288 Perth Lane)
• Enter site via Perth Lane
• Exit site via Cady Way

Each resident or business inside city limits is able to pick up eight sandbags.

Orlando and Winter Garden

Sandbags are also available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. through Saturday at Barnett Park, Bithlo Community Park, Downey Park, Meadow Woods Park, and West Orange Recreational Complex.