Tucker Today

Serving the community of Tucker, Georgia

Time to Prepare for Hurricane Season

Aug 1, 2006 - by Commissioner Elaine Boyer

It's hard to believe, but it's been almost a year since two back-to-back major hurricanes hit the Southern United States, wreaking havoc on local economies and many lives.

And in September, we will mark the fifth anniversary since the tragic day when terroritst attacked the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and plowed an airliner into a field in Pennsylvania.

What television coverage of the damage to homes and families in Mississippi and Louisiana illustrated is the need for all families to be prepared for disasters - natural or man made.

This spring, I co-hosted a Safe DeKalb/Safe Communities forum to help train citizens on what they can do to prepare for such incidents.

With the potential for severe storms this summer season, it is a good time to go to the store and collect these nine essential items and put them in a safe place at home in case of such emergencies:

  1. Water. Each home should have one gallon of water per person available per person for three days. Water is essential to human survival.
  2. Food. Non-perishable items such as canned or packaged foods should be stored in a dry area. Food is also essential and should be available for consumption with or without energy to cook.
  3. Clothes. Officials recommend one change of clothes and footwear per person. Dry clothes are important if a home is flooded.
  4. Medications. Make sure to keep three days of your necessary medications available. Local pharmacies may not be open or you may not be able to get to a pharmacy.
  5. Flashlight. A bright flashlight may be needed if there is a loss of power. Make sure to have extra batteries.
  6. Can Opener. Manual can openers will be necessary for canned goods since power may be out.
  7. Radio. Have a battery-powered radio and extra batteries available to monitor conditions.
  8. Hygiene Items. A new set of basic items such as soap, toilet paper and a toothbrush are good to have on hand.
  9. First Aid Kit. Make sure the kit has basics such as antiseptic, bandages, and non-prescriptive drugs.

In today's era of tornadoes, hurricanes, threats such as bird flu, and of course, potential terrorism, it is important all of us always be prepared and have an emergency preparedness kit to fall back on. May we always be prepared but never have to use it.