Stay informed and be ready to act

1. 1. Monitor the weather and listen, read, or watch your local media.
      1. What do people listen to, read, or watch for information and guidance?
   2. Follow instructions from authorities and be prepared to evacuate.

Develop an evacuation plan

1. 1. Identify your evacuation routes and forms of transportation. Have a secondary evacuation route in case your primary evacuation route is blocked.
      1. What are common modes of transportation?
      2. What could be a common evacuation route in your communities?
   2. Make sure all household members know the evacuation plan and destination.
   3. Prepare an evacuation bag with equipment such as water and food, flashlights, important medicine and emergency personal documents in water-proof bags.
      1. What are the necessary items and personal documents from the list in the link that you need to pack?

Know how to stay safe from floodwaters

1. 1. Disconnect electrical appliances if you have time.
      1. What electrical appliances in your homes would you need to disconnect?
   2. Do not walk, swim, or or drive through floodwaters. 
   3. If you have not been able to evacuate out of the area, move to higher ground or the uppermost floors of buildings.

• • Stay informed of early warnings of extreme heat in your area.
  • Be prepared to adapt and avoid high-energy activities during peak heat hours.
    • What are high-energy activities that may be common in your communities that should be avoided during peak heat hours?
  • Extreme heat can be deadly. Know your nearest points of medical support to seek medical attention if you or others feel faint, dizzy, or nauseous.

Know how to keep yourself cool

• • When below 40 C / 104 F, fans cool the body. Do not use fans above 40 C / 104 F as the fans will heat the body.
  • If you are using an air conditioner, set the thermostat to 27 C / 81 F and add a room fan. This will make the room feel 4 C / 40 F cooler.
  • Wet your skin using a damp cloth, spray, or wet clothing. Avoid dark colored clothing.
    • What light clothing items would you wear?
  • Always carry a bottle of water to stay hydrated.
  • Know where there is shade in your area where you can go to cool off.
    • Where can people go to find shade in your community?

Help protect people and animals at risk around you

• • Check on elderly above 65 years old, neighbors, family, and friends. Especially check on those with heart, lung, or kidney conditions, a disability, or living alone.
    • REMEMBER: Be careful in who you choose to feature and respect their individual rights to privacy. Do not feature someone in your video without their signed consent. 
  • Check on your animals frequently to ensure they are not suffering from the heat.
    • Do you have pets and/or livestock to help protect?

• • Monitor the weather and listen, read, or watch your local media.
    • What media do you listen to, read, or watch?
  • Follow instructions from authorities and be prepared to evacuate.

Develop an evacuation plan

• • Identify your evacuation routes and forms of transportation. Have a secondary evacuation route in case your primary evacuation route is blocked.
    • What are common modes of transportation?
    • What could be a common evacuation route in your communities?
  • Make sure all household members know the evacuation plan and destination.
  • Prepare an evacuation bag with equipment such as water and food, flashlights, important medicine and emergency personal documents in water-proof bags.
    • What are the necessary items and personal documents from the list in the link that you need to pack?

Protect your home if you have time

• • Secure any loose outdoor items or bring them indoors.
    • What are common items outside in your land that could be a flying risk in high winds and would need to be secured?
  • Securely close permanent storm shutters or fix wood or other protective materials outside to protect windows from the wind.
    • Do your community households typically use storm shutters or wood to protect windows?

Know how to shelter-in-place during the tropical storm if you are advised

• • Secure and brace all exterior doors and close all interior doors.
  • Keep curtains and blinds closed.
  • Stay indoors, away from windows, skylights, and doors.

• • Monitor the weather and listen, read, or watch your local media.
    • What media do you listen to, read, or watch?
  • Follow instructions from authorities and be prepared to evacuate.

Develop an evacuation plan

• • Identify your evacuation routes and forms of transportation. Have a secondary evacuation route in case your primary evacuation route is blocked.
    • What are common modes of transportation? 
    • What could be a common evacuation route in your communities?
  • Make sure all household members know the evacuation plan and destination.
  • Prepare an evacuation bag with equipment such as water and food, flashlights, important medicine and emergency personal documents.
    • What are the necessary items and personal documents from the list in the link that you need to pack?

Protect your home if you have time

• • Close windows, vents, doors and blinds.
  • Remove lightweight or combustible window coverings.
  • Shut off gas at the meter and close valves on propane tanks.

Wear protective clothing

• • Wear sturdy shoes, long cotton or woolen pants, long-sleeved shirts, and gloves.
  • Carry a damp handkerchief to protect your face.
  • Carry wet towels to cover your head and bare skin.

I am Ready to Submit

Now that you have read everything there is to read, take your camera and your best ideas, it’s your turn to shine and get noticed.