Ditto prepares for Hurricane Irene!

Ditto and Miss Narrator are getting ready for hurricane Irene, and we want to make sure that you know how to be ready for hurricanes and other scary things.  Here is what we are doing to prepare and stay safe:

• We are listening to the radio and watching television and looking online for weather updates and evacuation orders.

• We have a place to meet in case we get separated during the hurricane.

• We made sure we have some water and non-perishable food stored (that means food you don’t have to refrigerate or freeze), just in case we lose water or power during the storm.

• We have candles and flashlights with fresh batteries, also in case we lose power.  Being in the dark during a storm can be very scary, so having several sources of emergency light is a good idea.

• We are bringing in outside furniture and lawn ornaments – you don’t want to see what a lawn gnome can do to your house in 90 mph winds!!

• We made sure we know where our nearest evacuation or emergency center is, and know a couple routes to get there in case roads get blocked.

• If you don’t need to evacuate, be sure to STAY INDOORS during a hurricane. You could be hit by flying objects or be knocked over or hurt by strong winds.

• Don’t be fooled if there is a pause in the wind. It could just be the eye of the storm, and the winds will come again, and could come up suddenly.

• If you do evacuate, do NOT go back home until local officials say it is safe.

• Hurricanes can be very scary. If you are scared, be sure to talk to someone about it, there is nothing wrong with being afraid…

• Finally, Hurricanes are serious, make sure if you’re a kid, you listen to your parents and take things seriously, so you can stay safe.

You can get even more information about preparing for serious weather events and more at the FEMA For Kids website.