Keeping You and Your Pets Safe this Hurricane Season
With hurricane season well underway, make sure you have your hurricane kit prepared and ready to go! Your basic emergency kit should include the following items:
- Water: One gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
- Food: At least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
- Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- First aid kit
- Medications (enough for 3 days)
- Whistle to signal for help
- Dust mask to help filter contaminated air
- Plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
- Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
- Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
- Manual can opener for food
- Local maps
- Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger
- COVID-19 supplies should include gloves, masks, disinfecting wipes, hand sanitizer and soap
If you have pets, you will need to make sure to plan for them as well!
- If you do have to evacuate take your pet with you. If it’s unsafe for humans, it’s unsafe for pets. Emergency shelters and hotels may have limited space. If your pet isn’t a service animal you could get split up. Try to find a boarding facility along your evacuation route and make arrangements before a storm hits.
- If you are unable to take your pet with you, get a rescue alert sticker to place on your window. The sticker will alert rescuers.
- Choose your designated caregivers ahead of time or choose a safe place to take your pets. You can also ask your veterinarian for a list of preferred boarding kennels and facilities.
- Make sure you have food and water for at least five days.
- Keep medications and medical records stored in a water-proof container.
- Make sure you have leashes, collars, harnesses, garbage bags and a litter box if you have a cat.
- Keep a current photo of you and your pet in case you become separated.
- The ASPCA strongly recommends microchipping your pet for a more permanent form of identification.
Sources: https://abc13.com/hurricane-kit-pet-weather/5324457/, https://abc13.com/2059887/
