To make sure everyone knows how to respond in the event of a hurricane, you might want to convene a family meeting or meetings. Topics of discussion should include:

• What to do about power outages.

• How to deal with personal injuries.

• How to turn off the water, gas and electricity at main switches.

• What to do if you have to evacuate.

• Where to meet and whom to contact if you get separated.

In addition, you should:

• Post emergency telephone numbers by the telephones.

• Teach children how and when to call 911 for help.

• Take a Red Cross first aid and CPR class.

• Make arrangements for your pets.

Getting your food supply ready

Have at least a three-day supply of nonperishable food on hand. Focus on high-nutrition foods that require no refrigeration, preparation or cooking and little or no water. Your foodstuffs might include:

• Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits, vegetables

• Canned juices, milk, soup

• Staples, including sugar, salt, pepper

• High energy foods, including peanut butter, jelly, crackers, granola bars, trail mix

• Vitamins

• Foods for infants, the elderly or people on special diets

• Comfort/stress foods, including cookies, hard candy, instant coffee, tea

Optimally, a two-week supply of nonperishable food is recommended. Though it is unlikely that an emergency would cut off your food supply for that long, such a stockpile can relieve a great deal of inconvenience and uncertainty until services are restored. You don't need to go out and buy unfamiliar foods to prepare an emergency food supply. You can use the canned foods, dry mixes and other staples on your cupboard shelves.

Keep canned foods in a dry place where the temperature is fairly cool. To protect boxed foods from pests and extend their shelf life, store the boxes in tightly closed cans or metal containers.

Rotate your food supply. Use foods before they go bad, and replace them with fresh supplies, dated with ink or marker. Place new items at the back of the storage area and older ones in front.

Keep a supply of cooking and eating implements that can be used in the absence of running water or electricity, including:

• Plastic utensils, paper cups and plates

• Manual can and bottle openers

• A heating source, such as a camp stove or canned heat         stove, and extra fuel.

Securing your home

Board up windows or attach storm shutters. Taping windows will not prevent breakage, but will help reduce shattering. Electric power may be off, so have a supply of extra food, especially things that can be eaten without cooking, and a hand-operated can opener. Thoroughly clean the bathtub, jugs, bottles and cooking utensils, and fill containers with drinking water. Allow a minimum of 3 gallons of water for each person. Check flashlights and radios. Make sure you have batteries. Check trees and shrubbery, and remove limbs that could damage your house or utility lines. Secure anything that might tear loose or blow away, including garbage cans, grills, potted plants, garden tools, toys, signs, porch furniture, awnings. Do not lower the water level in your swimming pool, or it may pop out of the ground. Remove pumps from underground pits after all valves have been closed and the electricity has been shut off. If the filter pump is exposed, wrap it in a waterproof material and tie it securely. Add extra chlorine to the pool to help prevent contamination (3 gallons of chlorine per 5,000 gallons of water). Fill your car's gas tank.