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Before the storm:
- Listen to the radio, surf the internet or watch the television to keep yourself updated about the weather in the coming days. Know when you should need to prepare and give yourself enough time to do what needs to be done.
- Discuss about this with your family. Everyone must be updated and informed on what to do when the disaster comes.
- Make a plan whether you can stay at your home or you need to go to a safer place.
- Stock up emergency supplies. There is a huge possibility that you can’t cross the road and the groceries aren’t open. Be self-sufficient during the rainy days. Make sure that you have all the basic necessities to survive each day until the weather becomes better.
- Have a non-electric analogue telephone or fully-charged mobile phones in cases of emergency during a power outage.
- Listen to local authorities on what to do. If you stayed at home and they ordered you to evacuate, follow them.
- Turn off water to prevent flooding from damaged pipes.
- Turn off gas to prevent leaking.
- Identify the best way to escape your house and inform all family members where you will all meet when worse things happen.
During the storm: (If you are staying home.)
- Monitor the news in the radio or television for weather conditions and updates.
- Do not immediately go outside even the storm subsides. The winds can still be dangerous.
- Stay away from all the windows or any parts of your house where any broken glass can be harmful. Even though you prepare a first-aid kit, it’s still better if you can prevent any wounds.
- If there is a power outage, turn off all electric appliances to avoid any more damages in a power surge.
- Evacuate if you miscalculated the capability of your house to withstand a storm. Go to your neighbour’s house or anywhere near where you feel safe.
- Avoid using any electrical equipment.
- Stay in touch with everyone in your family.
After the storm:
- When power returns to your community, do not start all major electric appliances at the same time in order to lessen the damage to power sensitive equipment.
- Be aware of your surroundings. Observe what places are safe to walk on and know when the right time to clean up your house and backyard is. The ladders, stairs may be wet and slippery and it can cause some damage to anyone in the family.
- Make sure that your food is safe. Know what you can eat without refrigeration and ensure that your water is still enough.
- Be careful with handling of equipments for cleaning your surroundings.
- If you’re not capable of repairing serious damages in your house, hire some contractors for repairs.
- Consider dealing with insurance companies after documenting all the damages in your house.
Reminders for insurance:
- Document all what happened in your house. Take photos as a proof and make a list of items that are damaged before cleaning up any mess.
- Read your insurance policy thoroughly to see what are and aren’t included before giving them a call.
- Be resourceful on how you will contact your insurance company. Don’t rely on few contact details.
Reminders for hiring contractors:
- Check your insurance policy first except for emergency repairs.
- Don’t just immediately hire anyone. It’s better to work with someone you trust.
- Check your budget and see how much you can afford.
- Be patient with contacting, because you’re not the only one who wants to avail their repair services.
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