Emergency Preparedness Week: Hurricanes

Today is Day five of Emergency Preparedness Week.

Emergency Preparedness Week is an opportunity to encourage Canadians to take action to be better prepared to protect themselves and their families during emergencies.

We will highlight different possible events this week.

The Atlantic Hurricane Season begins on June 1.

Hurricanes can often be predicted one or two days in advance of their landfall. The key to hurricane protection is preparation.

If a hurricane is forecast, secure everything that might be blown around or torn loose. Flying objects such as garbage cans and lawn furniture can injure people and damage property. Trim dead branches and cut down dead trees to reduce the danger of these falling onto your house during a storm.

Stock up on water, ready-to-eat food and heating fuel, as well as battery-powered or wind-up flashlights and radios - and extra batteries. Make sure that there is gasoline in the car. Also, learn what to have in your car emergency kit.

Do not go down to the water to watch the storm. Most people who are killed during hurricanes are caught in large waves, storm surges or floodwaters.

If the eye of the hurricane passes over, there will be a lull in the wind lasting from two or three minutes to half an hour. Stay in a safe place. Make emergency repairs only and remember that once the eye has passed over, the winds will return from the opposite direction with possibly even greater force.