Surviving A Hurricane (Part 2)

Check for injury and damage.
Okay, the storm is over. Now what?

Make sure that everyone is safe! Check for damage. Look for broken glass, sharp objects, damaged roof, leaking gas, dangerous debris, and check for fallen power lines. You may be without electricity, but fallen power lines may be live, and could kill. If you see any, don't touch, but post warning signs.

If you are without electricity
If you are without electricity, it may be for days or weeks. You'll be glad you have a regular can opener. You can forget the microwave, toaster, washer, drier, etc. They will be of no use.

Conserve food
Conserve food, and obtain safe drinking water. If your refrigerator and freezer were full, your food should be safe for several days. Avoid excessive opening of the doors, in order to maintain the temperature.

Good campers and Scouts
Good campers and Scouts already have the basic skills to survive outside, and know where to obtain the tools for this purpose. These things will help you survive a natural disaster, so you should know them, too.

Obtain safe water
Assume that all water (including tap water) is contaminated. If you had a supply of bottled water on hand before the storm, it will be okay, as long it was not in flood waters. Other sources of water should be filtered, disinfected (you can use household bleach) and boiled. Disinfecting tablets may be purchased at most sporting goods retailers. Water can be made safe, also, by adding a small amount of common chlorine bleach to clear, filtered water (about 12 drops per quart, let stand for a few hours). Just make sure that your container has been disinfected, also.

You should have filled bathtubs and large containers of water to be used for washing and cleaning, also. If necessary, you can collect rain water for these purposes, as well as for cooking and drinking. Just make sure that you gather the cleanest water available.

Plan your meals
Your first meals should be from perishable foods in your refrigerator, especially meats and fish, since they will be the first to spoil, otherwise. When these items from the refrigerator are finished, begin using those items from the freezer. Your canned goods should be saved for last. They will be safe.

Starting a fire is important
Starting a fire is important, but can pose a danger. We are not used to having candles or open flame in the house. Carelessness could result in the loss of what is left; but fire is important for cooking and boiling water. An outdoor grill or Bar-B-Que pit would be excellent.

If there is an abundance of perishable food, you could cook it in a large container, and keep it on the fire, adding clean water and food regularly. This is what some primitive peoples do, since cooking food remains safe much longer than food at room temperature. Seasonings such as salt and pepper help preserve the food, also.

There will be much work to be done, using saws, prying tools, etc. Keep the First Aid kit handy. Hopefully, things will return to normal before you need to start hunting and gathering!