WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — As we enter the busy stretch of the hurricane season, everyone should make sure they have their preparation plans in place if Florida is affected by a tropical system.
Only 39% of Americans have developed an emergency plan for a disaster and discussed it with their family, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
Also, the CDC said that 48% of Americans do not have emergency supplies in the event of a disaster.
TRACKING THE TROPICS: Hurricane Center | Hurricane Guide
Your emergency kit should include extra batteries, a flashlight, an extra cellphone charger, a first aid kit and personal documents.
Everyone should store enough food to feed everyone in their home for two weeks, according to the CDC. And remember, don't forget a can opener.
Choose foods that you eat regularly, don't need refrigeration, don't require preparation and require no cooking.
IMPORTANT LINKS: Hurricane Supply Kit Checklist | Things to know before a storm |Emergency Phone Numbers | Preparations for your pets | Know your evacuation zone | Price gouging: How to protect yourself and report it | Insurance protection: What you should know | How to create a safe room for your house | Hurricane Center: Track the storms in the tropics
Everyone should have at least a three-day supply of water for each person in their home. A three-day supply equals one gallon of water per person, per day.
Also, you are advised to keep a two-week supply of medication and your vehicle's gas tank full.
Click here to check out the CDC's disaster preparedness page.
Check out these hurricane hacks to help keep you prepared during storm season:
- Fill the bathtub with water before the storm: If you lose your running water, you can use the water from the bathtub to flush waste down the toilet.
- Turn refrigerator to coldest setting and crank the air conditioner: Power outage is very common with these strong storms, so make sure to keep things as cold as possible before the storm so it can remain cooler for longer.
- Keep documents dry in dishwasher: If you're needing to keep paper documents dry, the dishwasher can serve as a waterproof safe during an emergency storm.
- Stock up on cash: When the power goes out, ATMs and card readers will be useless. Take out enough cash for seven days to make sure you can purchase necessary items. Try to have a mix of small and large bills.
- Buy plenty of gas: Gas could be hard to come by leading up to the storm. Buy as much gas as you think you'll need for the next week.
- Charge electronic device: Charge all of your phones, tablets and laptops before Hurricane Irma makes landfall. Look into purchasing portable battery chargers so you can keep your electronics going much longer than one traditional charge. It's also a good idea to buy extra batteries for flashlights and other household electronics.
- Do laundry: Clean as many clothes as you can before the storm. You never know how long it could be before you’re able to do another load of laundry.
- Use household items for candles: If you have crayons laying around the house, these can be used as small candles. You can also use Crisco or olive oil to make your own candles. Don't forget to buy lighters or matches.
- Freeze water balloons and water bottles: You can never have enough ice during a hurricane. Fill up water balloons and deep freeze them before the storm. They don't melt as fast and it's messy-free. You can also stockpile ice bags or freeze two-liter bottles with water, so they can help keep your food colder for longer.
- Make your own lamp: If you're needing ambient light, strap a headlamp to an empty water jug. This can serve as a do-it-yourself lamp.
