BALTIMORE — The 2018 Hurricane Season began June 1 and the American Red Cross has steps people should take now to get ready. Hurricane season runs until November 30, 2018.
Hurricanes cause problems for people in coastal areas and can also cause damage hundreds of miles inland.
“These are dangerous storms that can affect people living here in the Greater Chesapeake Region said Scott R. Salemme, Regional CEO, Greater Chesapeake Region. “It’s time to get ready now, before a storm threatens.”
The public is encouraged to:
•Build an emergency kit with a gallon of water per person, per day, non-perishable food, a flashlight, battery-powered radio, first aid kit, medications, supplies for an infant if applicable, a multi-purpose tool, personal hygiene items, copies of important papers, cell phone chargers, extra cash, blankets, maps of the area and emergency contact information. Many of these items are available through the Red Cross Store at redcrossstore.org.
•Talk with household members and create an evacuation plan. Practicing the plan minimizes confusion and fear during the event.
•Be informed. Learn about the community’s hurricane response plan. Plan routes to local shelters, register family members with special medical needs as required and make plans for pets. Take a First Aid and CPR/AED course (redcross.org/takeaclass) so you know what to do in case emergency help is delayed.
•Download the free Red Cross Emergency App to select up to 35 different severe weather and emergency alerts on their mobile device. The content includes expert guidance on what to do before, during and after different emergencies or disasters from home fires to hurricanes. The app can be found in smartphone app stores by searching for American Red Cross, texting ‘EMERGENCY’ to 90999 or by going to redcross.org/apps.
If you already has a disaster kit, now is the time make sure the food and water is still okay to consume and that copies of important documents are up to date. If they already have an emergency plan for their household, they should talk about it again with family members so everyone knows what to do if an emergency occurs.