As of Monday, the Tampa Bay area is in the path of Hurricane Ian, so here are some tips to keep you, your family, and your home safe.
Stay Informed.
Emergency alerts will let you know when to evacuate in your area. Sign up for Pinellas County Alerts Here and Hillsborough County Alerts Here. In the event of loss of power, charge your phones and electronics ahead of time. Have battery banks on hand and charged. In the event of loss of cell service, have a battery-powered radio on hand to continue receiving emergency alerts. When the storm does hit, unplug your electronics in the event of power surges.
Ensure That You Have Water On Hand.
Keep enough water to take care of your family and pets. Stock gallons of water by any means possible. Have bottles or containers of water available on your countertops or in your pantry. Wash and bleach your trash cans and bring them in a garage filled with water, if that’s an option for you. Fill your tub, sinks, and washing machine with water. Fill up tupperware containers with water and store in your freezer. Fill cups with water and have them covered. Fill up your pet’s water bowls ahead of time. Keep a case of water in your vehicle and ready to go. Stay hydrated before the storm.
You Need To Eat!
Make sure that you’re stocked with non-perishable food for you and your family (and pets!). Cook your perishables and keep them cold. While eating, use disposable plates and cutlery.
Clean Your Home.
Keep your home cleaned and disinfected to the best of your ability to prevent odor and contamination. Wash your clothing and bedding ahead of time. Throw out all trash, expired food, empty litter boxes, and ensure that you have easy, escapable routes to leave your home. Keep disinfectant wipes, baby wipes, and other cleaning essentials around if you’re staying put in your home.
Fill Up On Gas and Keep Cash On Hand.
Fill up your gas tanks in your car ahead of time, before it’s all gone! Head toward the ATM and keep cash on hand.
Refill Your Prescriptions.
If you have medication that’s necessary for you and your family, make sure that you have enough on hand for weeks, when it may become inaccessible to pick up more. Other personal care and sanitary items should also be stocked in your home and on hand.
Pack A To-Go Bag.
Have clothing, water, food, medications, and important documents ready to go, on-hand, in the event of an evacuation. Preparation is key for a smooth journey.
Preserve Your Belongings
Store belongings that you cannot take with you in a safer location. For items that you will have to leave behind, store them in waterproof containers, vacuum-sealed bags, and keep elevated and secured.
Keep Record!
Take photos of your home, vehicle, and valuables before the storm hits, and make sure those photos are backed up! You may need these for your insurance records.
Don’t Forget About Your Yard!
If you’re a pool owner, additional protective measures should be taken. Turn off all pool equipment and remove equipment and components wherever possible. Wrap, secure, and strap down the rest. Pool chemical service should wait under after the storm.
Be sure to bring your lawn furniture inside or tie it down before a storm rolls in. Keep in mind while prepping that anything loose on the ground could become a projectile.
Leave If You Must!
Your things can be replaced but YOU cannot! Stay safe- whether it be shelter deep inside your home, or out of town. Stay vigilant and follow emergency instructions and protocols.
Fieldstone Can Help.
Fieldstone Landscape Services is Tampa Bay’s premier choice for full-service commercial and residential landscaping. We have arborists, irrigation specialists, and landscape experts all on-staff and in-house to help Tampa Bay homeowners and businesses with their hurricane preparation and cleanup.
For Tampa Bay residents and businesses, we’re offering storm clean-up at pre-approved rates throughout hurricane season. Our aim is to make this time of year as worry-free as possible for our customers in Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Tampa, and beyond. If you are interested in this service, Contact Us and we will be happy to provide you with more information.
As we get further into 2022’s hurricane season, be sure that your proactive measures are met. Your landscape is our focus, and we strive to provide our customers with exceptional service, backed by the strength of our culture and our aim for you to Grow With Us.