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Health & Fitness

Preparing for the Next Big Storm

With another storm coming this week, we explain some methods of prepping you and your home for next time.

A week after the super storm Sandy has come and gone, Long Islanders already have another storm brewing to worry about.  This one won’t be nearly as bad, but Wednesday we may have some more bad weather to deal with.  The weather forecast predicts a Nor’easter bringing strong winds and either rain or snow, depending on the path of the storm.  While this storm won’t be nearly as powerful as Sandy, we thought it was certainly relevant to give some simple steps to prepare for the next big storm that affects Long Island.

To start with the basics, the majority of people already know to stock up on groceries and water.   Fully charge your cell phone and other electronics, and make sure that your car has a full tank of gas.  We repeat, make sure your gas tank is full!  There probably wasn’t a single Long Islander who didn’t regret passing up a full tank of gas before Sandy hit.

Having a battery-operated radio is definitely a valuable asset.  This is especially true during a power outage if there is a large amount of snowfall keeping you in your home and isolated from the community.  Flashlights are obviously a must-have before a big storm. 

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Think about all your electronics that you could possibly use which are just sitting around or somewhere in storage.  While we live during a time where cell phones become obsolete in just a couple of years, there’s usually still value in that old smart phone in your dresser drawer.  An inactive smart phone from a few years ago can easily be charged and used when the power goes out.  Most of these phones have a very bright flash light attached for taking photos with the camera.  If you find yourself in a bind without batteries, using the phone will surely give you a couple more hours of light.  If boredom is more of an issue than lighting, then an old smart phone should still have some games or apps on it to help pass the time for you or the children for the night.

Some banks have been understanding in times of severe weather across the tri-state area.  We were informed that HSBC among others recently released a statement allowing its customers to be late on their payments because of the mass power outages.  While they were understanding, not all banks will share the same beliefs and paying your online bills ahead of time is the only sure way to stay in the clear.  The last thing you want is to have no electricity for days or weeks only to regain it and find you have ADDITIONAL fees on the way.

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If a severe storm is coming which could threaten your home and your valuables, it’s important to update your home inventory. When making an insurance claim, having a home inventory is imperative. Also, take photos of your valuables and the layout of your home.  With these photos at hand you’ll be prepared for anything.

Create and set aside an emergency kit or file. Store cash, insurance policies, your home inventory, tax records, other important papers and key contact information in a portable file that you can take with you if you need to move quickly.

There are several things you can do to help protect your home from an upcoming storm. Hanging tree branches and shrubs should either be trimmed or tied to ensure they stay intact.  As we know from Sandy, trees cause some of the most severe damage during a storm or hurricane, and only sometimes is that damage covered by insurance.

Clean leave and other debris out of your gutters in case of heavy rainfall. Furniture and other loose items from around your yard should be secured so that they don't become projectiles when strong gusts of wind occur.  If necessary, don’t hesitate to get plywood or storm shutters for your home as well.

Have an evacuation and communication plan ready. Find out now where to go if you are ordered to evacuate. Your local office of emergency management can keep you informed about evacuation orders and disaster assistance centers.

Don’t wait until after your internet connection or power goes out before you want to check online for important info.  For more information, FEMA's Ready.gov site has a lot of helpful tips and resources for preparing for an emergency.

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