Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, and Northeast Florida sees plenty of summer storms in between. Power cuts and candles are a common cause of home fires, so a storm kit is really a safety kit. Here is our checklist.
At home
- Test every smoke alarm and replace batteries at the start of the season.
- Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen and know how to use it: pull, aim, squeeze, sweep.
- Use flashlights, not candles, when the power goes out.
- Never run a generator indoors or in a garage, even with the door open.
- Store water: one gallon per person per day for at least three days.
In the car
- Keep the tank at least half full during storm watches.
- Pack a car emergency kit with jumper cables, a flashlight and a first-aid kit.
- Carry a tire inflator for slow leaks after driving through debris.
Know your zone: Jacksonville Beach residents can look up their evacuation zone on the City of Jacksonville emergency management website before a storm is named.
