Hurricane Sandy Preparation Tips

As Hurricane Sandy approaches, everyone is being urged to take steps to make sure they are safe.

The preparation includes ensuring your home, and the area around it, are ready for high winds and rain. It also means making sure you have the proper supplies for yourself and your family.

National Grid has compiled the following list of steps to take prior to the storm:

Prepare for an approaching storm

• Before lowering a TV antenna or satellite dish, make sure to turn off and unplug the TV, and avoid power lines.
• Turn off all swimming pool pumps and filters, and wrap them in waterproof materials.
• Turn your refrigerator and freezer to their coldest settings ahead of time to keep food fresh longer in the event of a power outage.
• Turn off and unplug any unnecessary electrical equipment.
• When working on a ladder, look up and note the location of power lines before you begin. Be sure that ladders or scaffolds are far enough away so that you – and the ends of the tools you're using – don't come within 10 feet of power lines.

Prepare a family emergency kit with items including:

• Water. The American Red Cross recommends one gallon of water per person per day.
• Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food.
• Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food).
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio.
• Flashlight and extra batteries.
• First aid kit .
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation.
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
• Local maps.
• Cell phone with chargers

You might also want to include:

• Prescription medications and glasses.
• Infant formula and diapers.
• Pet food and extra water for your pet.
• Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container.
• Fire Extinguisher.
• Matches in a waterproof container.
• Personal hygiene items.
• Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils, paper towels.
• Paper and pencil.
• Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children.

Keep your attention to Framingham Patch for your local updates of the storm.