Frankenstorm: preparation tips

I've put up an update to the Frankenstorm weather details here. Now for are some great tips to prepare in advance of the Frankenstorm--

FOOD

Some Tips on keeping food safe from Food & Drug Administration:

— Just before the storm hits, set your refrigerator and freezer to their coldest settings (remember to reset them back to normal once power is restored).
— Keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to maintain the cold temperature.
— The refrigerator will keep food cold for about 4 hours if it is unopened.
— A full freezer will keep the temperature for approximately 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full) if the door remains closed.
— Buy dry or block ice to keep the refrigerator as cold as possible if the power is going to be out for a prolonged period of time. Fifty pounds of dry ice should hold an 18 cubic foot, fully-stocked freezer cold for two days.
— For infants, try to use prepared, canned baby formula that requires no added water. When using concentrated or powdered formulas, prepare with bottled water if the local water source is potentially contaminated.
— Freeze containers of water for ice to help keep food cold in the freezer, refrigerator, or coolers in case the power goes out. If your normal water supply is
contaminated or unavailable, the melting ice will also supply drinking water.
— Freeze refrigerated items such as leftovers, milk, and fresh meat and poultry that you may not need immediately. This helps keep them at a safe temperature longer.

More at link above

WATER

Safety Tips from Big Sandy Rec Department

— Keep a 3- to 5-day supply of drinking water in plastic bottles. Plan on at least 1 gallon of water per person, per day.
— Store a manual can opener with enough nonperishable foods for 3 to 5 days. Canned meats, tuna fish and peanut butter are good foods to store. Don’t forget pet foods!
— Conserve water by using paper plates and plastic utensils.
— Have a camp stove or grill for outdoor cooking.
— If you have a washer in your home, fill the washer with water, when it starts the wash cycle, turn the washer off and you have gallons and gallons of fresh drinking water.
— Use bleach to clean the tub, rinse thoroughly, and then fill it. This water can be used for sanitation by dipping a pail into the tub for toilet flushing, don't use it for drinking if you can help it
— 30 or 40 gallon plastic trash cans are a good to store large amounts of water for flushing toilets, washing dishes, and drinking if necessary. You can line the trash can with a clean liner or trash bag.
— If you run out of drinking water, drain the water from your hot water heater via the valve into a trash can or pails.

SANITATION

— Premoistened cleansing towelettes are useful and help conserve water. Put them in ziplocs prior to the storm's arrival.
— Another way to keep clean without power, and cheaper too, is to take wet washcloths, put a little soap on them, and seal them in zip lock bags for homemade handi-wipes.
— Maintain a supply of prescriptions, nonprescription drugs, vitamins and special dietary foods.
— Keep sanitary and personal hygiene supplies replenished.
— Gather newspapers. Newspapers are good material to soak up water. If you soak up water that seeps into the house with towels all you'll have is wet and moldy towels as the days go on. Newspapers are easily cleaned up and can be thrown away.

KIDS

Tips from Weather Fun Times Guide

— Playing cards, books, drawing and writing supplies, and board games help pass the time. If you have a video camera and tapes, your family can make a storm documentary.
— Aluminum foil is a great, moldable item for young kids to use for creating all kinds of things.
— Plastic cups, Tupperware, and paper plates are great, safe, lightweight items — perfect for stacking and building.
— Toothpicks and popsicle sticks are fun for creating designs on the carpet, a table, or other flat surfaces.

PETS

— Dogs and cats don't need much except to ensure there is enough food on hand and fresh water. If they are on medication, plan to get those filled before the storm hits. If your cat needs litter, make sure there is enough to last for some days.
— Fish are quite sensitive to power interruptions. The emergency fish care article from the Fresh Aquarium site at About.com is an excellent guideline to help keep your fish alive in a power outage.
— Indoor birds can be quite sensitive to drafts and changes in temperature. Have a towel or blanket handy to reduce the change of your bird catching a cold due to temperature changes. Make sure to have adequate ventilation (do not use plastic wrap or too heavy of a blanket!) while protecting your bird. Here are some tips for keeping your birds warm, from the About.com Guide for Birds.

GENERAL

Much more from NY Department of Homeland Security, including generator safety, heat safety, and plumbing carbon monoxide, fireplace and woodstove safety and other tips

— Fill your vehicles' gas tanks, in case you must evacuate. Do the same for the generator if you have one.
— To stay warm, dress in layers of lightweight clothing and wear a cap.
— To stay warm, eat well-balanced meals.
— Do laundry and wash dishes before the storm hits. When the power goes out you don’t want heaps of dirty dishes or clothing to deal with.
— Charge up all your electronics before the power goes off.
— Have cash on hand because ATM’s will not work.

Jesus is the ultimate place of safety! George Banton singing Shelter in the Time of Storm reggae style