Five steps for a safe 2009 hurricane season

Source: AARP.org

Starting June 1, Floridians face another hurricane season.   Official predictions suggest that this season could be as challenging as the difficult 2005 hurricane season, or even the disastrous, history-making 2004 season.

By now, no Floridian should need encouragement to get ready, but what to do?  To help Floridians 50+ be prepared, AARP Florida offers the following “Preparedness Principles.”  Follow these steps to get ready for whatever comes our way in 2006:
Review your insurance policy.

Defend your home against hurricane winds.
Prepare hurricane evacuation and return kits.
Evacuate – the smart way.
Plan what to do with pets.
Consider an electrical generator for emergency power.  
Document your home and possessions.
To learn more about each of these important principles, AARP Florida offers a series of stories (see links below and on the previous page).  Each story offers additional information to help you prepare for the storms of 2009.

Good luck in 2009.  Together, we can be ready.

Related Articles:
Review your insurance
It's boring. If you don't do it, you may wish you had.
"Harden" your home against hurricane winds
Pick the right type of hurricane shutter to protect your home.
Prepare two hurricane kits
One helps if you evacuate. The other helps when you get home.
Evacuate—the smart way
Evacuate tens of miles, not hundreds of miles
Provide for your pets
Make plans to take care of your pets.
Document your home and possessions
Photograph your home for insurance records.

Other Resources:

Florida Emergency Information
(For state & county emergency management specifics) . . www.floridadisaster.org
FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency)
Registration & housing assistance . . . . . . . . .. . . 1-800-621-3362 or www.fema.org
FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency)
Work relief and placement program . . . . . 1-800-879-6076 or www.fema.org
Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation
(For checking contractor’s licenses) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-866-532-1440 or http://www.myflorida.com/dbpr/
Florida Department of Financial Services
(For claim information or insurance problems) . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . 1-800-227-8676 or http://www.fldfs.com/
Florida Attorney General’s Office (Price gouging hotline) . . . . . . 1-866-966-7226 or http://myfloridalegal.com/
Florida Consumer Hotline (General consumer problems) . . . . . . 1-800-435-7352 or www.stateofflorida.com
Florida Elder Helpline (County specific information and assistance) . . 1-800-963-5337 or http://elderaffairs.state.fl.us/index.php
Free, Unrestricted 24-hour Crisis Hotline
(Provided by United Healthcare of Florida) . . .. . . . . . . . . 1-877-337-4168 or www.unitedhealthcareonline.com