We are now in the midst of hurricane season, which started June 1. It is time to make preparations even as we hope and pray that the preparations will not be needed.

Whether you are an individual, a family, or a business, there are steps you can take to be ready to withstand and recover from a severe weather event or any other disaster.

For Individuals and Families:

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[naviga:li]Inspect the outside of your home to see if there are any potential objects that might strike your home such as a too close tree, lawn furniture, etc. and take appropriate action to safeguard your home.[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]If you live in a flood zone or are located on the coast or river bank, obtain flood insurance. Your standard home owner’s or renter’s insurance does not cover flooding events.[/naviga:li]

[naviga:li]Develop an individual and/or family disaster plan. There are suggestions at the FEMA

web site and at the Red Cross

web site under help selection and Prepare for Emergencies.[/naviga:li][naviga:li]Consider whether you want/need a generator for your home. If you purchase one or already have a generator, be sure that the electrical connections have been installed by a licensed electrician and there is breaker to isolate the generator and your home from the electrical grid so it will not feed back on to the lines that normally supply electricity to your home. Be sure that the running generator will not send fumes and Carbon Monoxide into your home.[/naviga:li][naviga:li]Develop a disaster kit for potential evacuation. Learn the locations of the planned shelters if it is necessary to evacuate.[/naviga:li][naviga:li]Maintain supplies such as water, battery powered devices, and food for a period without power.[/naviga:li][naviga:li]Make sure that your entire family is familiar with the plans for shelter in place or evacuation.[/naviga:li][naviga:li]Include plans and supplies for your pets as well. Do you have crates and/or carriers to hold your pets in case of evacuation to a shelter. (There is a requirement that a separate pet shelter be located next to a people shelter to house your pets).[/naviga:li][naviga:li]Have copies of important papers and phone numbers to take with you in case of evacuation.[/naviga:li][/naviga:ul]

For Businesses

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[naviga:li]Develop a Business Recovery Plan. There are numerous checkoff lists available on line to assist in developing the plan such as the FEMA

web site. The easiest check off list I have found is the OFB-EZ (Stay Open for Business)

tool created by the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS).[/naviga:li][naviga:li]Contract to provide perishables/inventories to shelters, food banks, etc. for post disaster use or distribution[/naviga:li][naviga:li]Install emergency generators, stronger windows or shutters, Consider Solar panels.[/naviga:li][naviga:li]Subscribe to a Disaster Recovery Service if able to afford such a service.[/naviga:li][naviga:li]Establish mutual aid/support agreements with other businesses.[/naviga:li][naviga:li]Contact your town’s emergency manager and any other Regional recovery officials so you know them and they know you.[/naviga:li][naviga:li]Copy and safely store critical business recovery records to be accessible post disaster.[/naviga:li][/naviga:ul]

If you want to be an active part of the solution, consider volunteering for your local Red Cross Chapter, Medical Reserve Corps (sponsored locally by Ledge Light Health District), or your town’s Community Emergency Response Team.

Bill Sheehan is a former Democratic Town Committee chair in Waterford.