Storm Readiness- Steve's Tips for your home in a hurricane

As this Frankenstorm comes closer I've been getting my home ready for the high winds and lots of rain. Is your home ready?

Here are some of the things you should be thinking about:

Put away all loose items around your home that can blow around and break: Planters, Halloween Decorations, lawn chairs, garbage and recycle cans, swings and sandbox toys.

Take down wind chimes, thermometers and wall hangings like terra cotta decorations.

Put away lawn and garden tools, rakes and shovels, tomato stakes and misc. garden objects. Items picked up by heavy windas can become missiles that break windows etc.

Tie down outdoor tables with a tarp over them to protect glass tops and lash down the barbecue with the cover firmly secured.  Put away bottled gas and grill items.

Bring in the window air conditioners and make sure windows are closed and locked.

Close and latch outside gates.

Clean your gutters of debris. If they are clean they will flow gallons away from your home. Extend leader pipes away from the foundation. Make sure splash blocks are in the right position.

Go into your basement and make sure all windows are closed.

Make sure sump pumps are plugged in and make an effort to raise any itims on the floor to a safer height on shelves. Remember flooded basements may not be a problem if possessions don't get wet.

Keep a submersible pump handy with enough garden hose ready in case you need to pump the basement. If your basement typically floods set up the pump ahead of time.

If you have a generator (please use them outside only) test them to make sure you have fuel and they are working.Protect your family with CO alarms.

Don't grill or use a hibachi or charcoal inside your home.

Stock up on essentials but don't buy things that will go bad in case the fridge is off for days.Make sure you have survival foos and water.

If you are on a well fill bathtubs or containers with water to flush toilets with.

Put together a disaster kit.  Check to make sure you have plenty of first aid supplies, batteries, flashlights etc.  Create a car emergency kit with first aid, sleeping bags, blankets etc in case you need to go out and get away from your home.

Write down important numbers and give them to the family.

Make sure you have prescription drugs you need and enough to weather the storm.

Check for gloves and rain slickers and boots for bad weather conditions.

Charge cell phones and computers before the power goes out.

Bring out that battery powered radio and install fresh batteries.

Practice disengaging your electric garage door opener in case you lose power.

Have firewood ready for warming your home in the fireplace. Make sure you remember to open the damper when you do.

Locate fire extinguishers.Make sure they are fresh and will work if they are needed.

If the power goes out have a plan.  Plan storm activities that do not require power.

If trees come down with your wires... stay inside, do not wander your property looking for the reason your power is out.

If you have elderly or handicapped neighbors call them and make contact. Invite them over.

Park cars away from trees that can fall or drop branches.

Keep keys wallets and some cash handy as credit cards do not work in a power outage.

Listen to the radio for alerts and remember Firemen and Police are all on alert if you need help for serious issues... call 911.

Being prepared can save your stuff and help keep you warm and safe...

Feel free to add your suggestions as well ... stay safe.