Be Prepared

According to a new poll most people on the coast of the US are not prepared for hurricane season.

Despite the devastation Hurricane Katrina leveled upon Louisiana and Mississippi, most residents of the Atlantic and Gulf coasts haven't taken steps to protect their families if a storm were to wreck their homes, according to a poll released Tuesday.

Except for Florida.

Florida residents are better prepared than other coastal states. Seventy-four percent have a disaster plan and 70 percent have a hurricane survival kit, the study said. Mason-Dixon interviewed 1,100 coastal residents by phone and conducted a separate survey of 625 Florida residents. The margin of error was plus or minus 3 percent.

Perhaps because in 2004 4 out of five Floridians were affected by at least one hurricane. Some of us were hit by three. We also receive a hurricane preparedness brochure with the newspaper. Starting Saturday we have a week to shop for hurricane supplies tax free.

Let me give you some tips if you live in a hurricane prone area.

Batteries. Buy them now. Once a storm hits you can forget about being able to buy D batteries.

Flashlight - have a couple.

Have either a battery operated TV (cheaper than you think) or radio to keep up with the storm.

Have your cell phone charged.

Have a corded phone. You may still have phone service even if you don't have power. You can pick up a cheap one at Walgreens.

Have a grill with a side burner and extra propane. If you need coffee in the morning the side burner is key. You can either use an old fashioned percolator ($7.99 at Cabelas), a French press or instant coffee. Make sure you have powdered creamer, too.

Canned goods and water. You can cook on your grill. I have to admit that once June hits I no longer buy ahead and freeze. I lost everything in my freezer twice.

Baby wipes - I buy the store brand. If you don't have water you can still stay relatively clean. Waterless hand sanitizer is also good.

Candles and an oil lamp with extra lamp oil. Matches or lighters. Books, cards and board games.

A tarp. They're not expensive and once again, impossible to get once the storm hits.

If you live in a heavily treed area a chainsaw is a good idea. You may want to have a couple of sets of tree stakes handy to prop up any new trees after the storm knocks them down.

If you have to take a shower in cold water wet your head first. It doesn't seem as bad to put your body under the cold once your head is wet.

Good luck!