Hurricane season has proven to be an asset of the 2008 season. Even if you live in an area that can be directly affected by a hurricane, can be affected by severe weather conditions resulting from the storm. Because we are all affected by severe weather activity, we must be prepared when events take place.

One important area of concern during a severe thunderstorm is our ability to keep food safe. When bad weather happens to have been left without electricity. It is quite possible that you have a power outage occurs. Because we must be prepared for bad weather, we have to follow several safety tips such as a few:

You must ensure you have enough water for you and your family to drink. Much of the water store in clean plastic containers or glass. It is recommended that a minimum you should store at least one gallon of water per person per day. If weather conditions are warm, then you may need to double this amount per person. Additional water will be needed for cooking, bathing and other household needs.

prepare water for storage and subsequent use by adding four drops of bleach per quart of water (about 16 drops of bleach per gallon), then add water to mix thoroughly.

Seal water containers and label them as purified water. Place the date in the water container and store in a cool dark place. The purified water stored in this manner should be safe for long periods of time like five years or more.

prepared to have a three-day supply of food for your family to carry you through a short-term situation of disasters. Choose foods that require no refrigeration and, if possible, require little water for preparation.

Some ready to eat foods that should be considered are: canned meats, canned vegetables, canned fruits, juices and soups. Some high-energy foods that should be considered are: peanut butter, jam, crackers nuts and jerky. Children will also enjoy having some candy and granola bars available.

There are other items your family may need to have handy during a disaster situation in the short term weather-related. Some of these items are:

· Radio – with extra batteries batteries

· Flashlight – with extra batteries

· Candles

· manual can

· knife

· plastic plates, cups, utensils

· paper towels

· plastic garbage bags with ties

· wipes
supplies

· chlorine bleach for cleaning

· toiletries

· blanket for each family member

· first aid kit

· Camp stove, fuel lighter,

may have other special needs your family may need to have available, such as diapers, baby formula and medicines.

For more information on the individual family and community preparedness, see the FEMA website at http://www. FEMA. gov / areyouready gives you a step by step guide to Citizen Preparedness.