Roseau, Dominica: The Ministry of Health, Wellness and New Health Investment of Dominica shared the method of preparedness for the hurricane season. Ministry asserted that there is a lot of people can do around their homes to protect themselves and their families during a storm or hurricane.
If people plan to ride out a storm in the home, make sure it is in good repair and up to local hurricane building code specifications. There is a lot you can do around your home to protect yourself and your family during the event of a storm or hurricane.
• Keep trees around your home trimmed well before the storm to prevent damage from broken branches and trunks.
• Cover windows with tested and approved material to prevent injury from broken glass.
• Secure loose outdoor items such as furniture as they can become projectiles during a storm, potentially causing property damage or injury.
• Secure all doors on your property
• Move your vehicle inside a garage or to a safer location to avoid damage.
• Check gutters and drains. Blockages could be the reason for year-round to guttering and drains, especially from natural occurrences such as leaf fall and moss build up. Authorities asked to make sure there are no areas of concern, including leaks.
Help keep your family safe in the event of a disaster by developing a family emergency plan.
What to include in your emergency plan:
• An emergency contact. It’s often easier to call long distance during an emergency. Choose a relative who lives overseas as your family’s emergency contact. They’ll be the point person you call or text to explain where you are in the event of a natural disaster.
• Escape routes. Go through each room of your home and plan the quickest and safest escape route. Make sure each member of your family knows the plan for each room. Practice the plan, so they know how to act should they need to make a quick escape.
• Emergency meeting spots. Choose three spots, just to be on the safe side. One outside your home, one outside your neighborhood and one further away.
• Pet plan. If your family has pets, include your four-legged family members in your emergency plan. Make sure you have any necessary pet carriers and plenty of food and water on hand to take with you.
