Be Prepared to Safely Ride Out the Remainder of Hurricane Season 2025
Author: Home Helpers Home Care
By the time this blog is published, hurricane Erin, the first major hurricane in the Atlantic Ocean this season, will have come and gone. It may not have impacted our beautiful Best Coast, but it should serve as a reminder that we must all be prepared.
September is Preparedness Month, so I have decided to review the necessary elements that should be included in hurricane preparedness kits so we can all be prepared to safely ride out the remainder of hurricane season 2025.
A hurricane preparedness kit, also known as a hurricane survival kit, should contain the most essential items you will need in the event of torrential rain, powerful winds, flooding, and power outages. Southern Living shared recommendations from the National Hurricane Center and FEMA about what should be included in your hurricane preparedness kit:
- One gallon of water per person per day for at least three days to be used for hydration and sanitation
- Non-perishable foods to last a minimum of three days
- A battery-powered (or crank-style) radio and a NOAA Weather radio with extra batteries for both
- Flashlights and extra batteries
- A whistle to signal for help
- Dust masks to protect from contaminated air, plastic sheeting, and duct tape
- Moist towelettes, garbage bags, and plastic ties for personal sanitation
- A wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
- A manual can opener if you stocked canned food
- Local maps
- Prescription medications and glasses
- Pet food and extra water for pets
- Cash or traveler’s checks and change
- Important family documents: Insurance policies, identification, bank account records stored in a waterproof container
- Blankets or sleeping bags for each person
- Extra clothing and shoes
- A medicine dropper and chlorine bleach to be used as a disinfectant when one part bleach is mixed with nine parts water, or it can treat water in an emergency. 16 drops of regular household bleach per gallon of water. Do not use scented, color-safe, or bleach with added cleaners when treating water
- Fire extinguisher
- Matches in a waterproof container
- Mess kits, paper cups, plates, plastic utensils, and paper towels
- Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
- Baby formula, diapers, and wipes
Please remember, seniors with special needs can contact Home Helpers® for assistance with registering for a special needs shelter in the event of a hurricane in the Gulf: 727.942.2539
If you haven’t already done so, I encourage you to promptly prep your hurricane preparedness kits, review additional insightful hurricane preparedness tips, and share them with seniors you love in storm-prone areas.
For seniors living alone in West Pasco and Pinellas Counties who are unable to properly prepare for severe storms or hurricanes without family or friends to help, I encourage you to contact me. I offer a FREE assessment to discuss specific needs, after which I will match a compassionate caregiver who can assist with providing home care services and making necessary storm preparations.
We, at Home Helpers® Clearwater, are honored to have been ranked among the Activated Insights Top 100 Leaders in Experience for home care providers in 2025 and to have received the Best of Home Care® Provider of Choice, the Best of Home Care® Employer of Choice, and the Best of Home Care® Leader in Experience Awards in 2025, along with the Caring Super Star 2025 Award.
Home Helpers Clearwater proudly serves male and female seniors, veterans, and differently abled individuals in Bayonet Point, Clearwater, Clearwater Beach, Dunedin, Gulfport, Holiday, Hudson, Largo, Madeira Beach, New Port Richey, North Redington Beach, Oldsmar, Palm Harbor, Pass A Grille, Pass A Grille Beach, Port Richey, Redington Shores, Safety Harbor, Saint Petersburg, Seminole, South Pasadena, Tarpon Springs, Tierra Verde, Treasure Island, Trinity, and surrounding areas. Home Helpers®…we are Making Life Easier®.
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