Hurricane season is fast approaching, and it's important to be prepared well in advance of any storms forming.

By taking a few simple steps now, you can make sure you're ready for anything Mother Nature throws your way. Here are some tips to help you get prepared for hurricane season and make it way less stressful when the storms come:

1. Emergency Food Supply: Most people say “Invest in a sturdy, airtight container for emergency food storage”. Honestly, it really doesn’t matter. Cardboard boxes work fine as do plastic storage totes. Stock up on non-perishable food items such as canned goods, energy bars, and dried fruit. Make sure to check expiration dates and rotate your stock as needed. We stock up a couple of plastic totes with food in the beginning of hurricane season. After hurricane season anything that isn’t used goes in the pantry to get used. Also, don’t forget about pets. An extra little bag of food for the dog means they have emergency supplies too so there’s no panic when a storm hits and the dog only has a couple days of food in the regular bag.

2. Generator Checkup: If you have a generator, make sure it's in good working condition. Have it serviced and test it out well in advance of any storms. If you don't have a generator, consider purchasing one to help keep the refrigerator and some lights on during power outages. Make sure you have the extension cords needed for your setup.

3. Water Bags for the Bath Tub: Fill large water bags or containers with water and store them in your bathtub. This way, you'll have water for drinking (able to refill the water filter pitcher), flushing the toilet, and cooling off if it's hot. On average, a bathtub can hold up to 100 gallons of water, which is equivalent to about 757 average water bottles (16.9oz). 

Pro tip: My family fills two bathtubs. In the first we use a water bag so that we have clean water which we use to fill the water filter pitcher and to do sponge baths. The second bathtub we just line with a plastic drop cloth to prevent leaking down the drain and we use the water to flush the toilet. You’ll never catch us fighting to find water at the last minute as a storm approaches.

4. Battery-Operated Fans and Lights: Make sure you have battery-operated fans and lights on hand in case of power outages. These can help keep you cool and provide much-needed illumination during dark nights. If you live in Florida like we do, you’ll appreciate having one fan per person and plenty of batteries. There’s nothing like when the power goes out and it’s 85° at night.

Protips: Get spray water bottles that have a good mist function to use on your face. It makes the fans feel much cooler. Also, rechargeable fans and lights are good for the environment BUT not ideal for if the power is off for days at a time. Pick out lights and fans that use replaceable batteries. We stock up on AA and AAA batteries once per year before hurricane season and they usually last all year.

The fans in the ad below are the ones I have in my hurricane kit. They take AA batteries and last a good amount of time per set of batteries.

5. Battery Backups for Your Phone: consider purchasing a backup battery to be able to recharge your phone during prolonged power outages. Not only to have communication (maybe) but also your family will appreciate being able to watch a movie at night gathered around a phone. 

6. Entertainment: If you don’t already have them, stock up on games like dominoes, cards, Play Nine, and board games to keep yourself entertained during power outages. Having games on hand can help pass the time and make it a little more fun.

By taking these steps before any storms form, you'll be well-prepared for hurricane season. Remember to check your emergency supplies periodically and keep them well-stocked throughout the season. Stay safe and be ready for anything!