Five Steps For A Safe 2006 Hurricane Season

Here’s how to protect yourself, your loved ones and your property.

Source: AARP.org | May 25, 2006

Starting June 1, Floridians face another hurricane season. By now, no Floridian should need encouragement to get ready, but what to do? To help Floridians 50+ be prepared, AARP Florida offers the following "Preparedness Principles."

Follow these steps to get ready for whatever comes our way this year:

• Review your insurance policy.
• Defend your home against hurricane winds.
• Prepare hurricane evacuation and return kits.
• Evacuate—the smart way.
• Plan what to do with pets.
• Consider an electrical generator for emergency power.
• Document your home and possessions.

To learn more about each of these important principles, AARP Florida offers a series of stories (see links below).

Each story is written in an easy-to-ready tabular format, and each offers additional information to help you prepare for the upcoming season.

Together, we can be ready.

Related Articles

• Review your insurance
  It's boring, but if you don't do it, you may wish you had.
• "Harden" your home against hurricane winds
  Pick the right type of hurricane shutter to protect your home.
• Prepare two hurricane kits
  One helps if you evacuate. The other helps when you get home.
• Evacuate—the smart way
  Evacuate tens of miles, not hundreds of miles away.
• Provide for your pets
  Make plans to take care of your pets.
• Document your home and possessions
  Photograph your home for insurance records.

Other Resources

• National Hurricane Center
• Federal Emergency Management Agency
• Florida Division of Emergency Management
• American Red Cross
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Florida Department of Agriculture and Customer Services
• The Weather Channel
• American Family Safety, Inc.
• State Revenue Department info on sales-tax holiday
• The Humane Society of the United States
• Foodsafety.gov
• U.S. Food and Drug Administration (generator tips)