Be Prepared: Tips to Keep Your Family, Property Safe

A little bit of preparation can go a long way. That’s the message emergency management officials are pushing as part of National Hurricane Preparedness Week, May 22-28.

“I call upon government agencies, private organizations, schools, media, and residents in the coastal areas of our Nation to share information about hurricane preparedness and response to help save lives and protect communities,” President Barack Obama said.

The federal government has created a website dedicated solely to helping residents prepare for natural disasters. The site, www.ready.gov, is a wealth of information.

Ready.gov offers three major steps for preparedness: No. 1: Build A Kit / "To-Go Bag"No. 2: Make a PlanNo. 3: Be InformedFor the detailed information on each step, click on this link:  http://www.ready.gov/america/beinformed/hurricanes.html#link2

And for facts and figures, including a list of the top 10 most costliest hurricanes, check out this link to the Insurance Information Institute:  http://www.iii.org/facts_statistics/hurricanes.html

Of course, hurricanes are notorious for taking out power lines. While hurricanes affecting Connecticut Light & Power (CL&P) and United Illuminating Co. (UI) customers have been rare, Connecticut has had a lot of near misses, and a few direct hits over the past four decades.

Doria was a tropical storm when she hit in 1971, and there was Hurricane Gloria in 1985 and Hurricane Bob in 1991. 

“Customers frequently say it has been 20 years since Bob and ask me if it could happen again,” said Al Roy, CL&P’s manager of emergency management. “We never predict hurricanes or any other storms. Our job is to be ready no matter what the weather is.

“CL&P has a comprehensive plan in place and we’re ready,” Roy said. “That includes being in close contact with state and emergency management officials to make sure all of our efforts are coordinated, so we can respond as quickly and safely as possible.”

CL&P is also encouraging its customers to be proactive and informed. Here are some simple tips to help prepare for whatever weather comes our way:

• Prepare a "storm kit" (also called a 'lights-out kit') and keep it handy. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has an extensive list of recommendations for what to put into the kit in order to be prepared for situations beyond power outages. FEMA recommends:
• 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 and a hand-held can opener for any canned food
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a weather radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Prescription medication
• Whistle to signal for help
• Dust mask to help filter contaminated air, and plastic sheeting and duct tape to build a shelter-in-place
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
• Local maps
• Cell phone with charger

CL&P also reminds customers with life support equipment to develop a plan. It should include an alternate source of electric power such as a battery backup system or a properly installed generator for the life support equipment; emergency telephone numbers (doctor, fire, police and ambulance) and a procedure to vacate your home during a prolonged outage.

For more information, visit www.ready.gov