How to Prepare a Safe Room for a Hurricane

With a hurricane headed your way, its time to prepare a safe room if you are not in an evacuation zone. Preparing a safe room well in advance of the hurricane will help keep you and your family safe during the storm.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Select the safe room. The best place for a safe room is a small room without windows in the center of your home. A large walk-in closet is an ideal safe room. A bathroom will also work if it has no windows or just a small window.

2. Start with the basics. Remove as many clothes as necessary from the closet. Make enough room for your family, pets and supplies needed for the few hours that the hurricane is making landfall. If the safe room will be a bathroom, remove bottles from counter tops and cover the window with plywood.

3. Bring a mattress into the safe room if it is large enough. The mattress can be used to sit on and to cover yourselves should extra protection become necessary. If the bathroom is to be used as a safe room, place the mattress in the tub. The heavy tub will be the safest place in the bathroom as the storm makes landfall. If a closet is to be used as the safe room, place the mattress on the floor. Pillows can be substituted if the closet is too small for the mattress.

4. Add the emergency supplies necessary for the whole family to stay safe while the hurricane makes landfall. A battery-operated radio is needed to keep updated on local weather conditions and police reports. Have more than one flashlight on hand and make sure you have extra batteries for both the radio and flashlights. Don't forget a cell phone.

5. Remember to bring prescription drugs, creams, eye drops or any other necessary medical treatments. A well-stocked first aid kit is vital. Include baby wipes, paper towels and antiseptic wipes for quick clean-ups. A small garbage can and several garbage bags rids the small area of messy spills. The garbage can and bags can also be used as a toilet in an absolute emergency.

6. Stock an adequate supply of food and water for all family members, including pets. Have one gallon of water per person. A safe room is temporary while the storm is hitting, so you will not be cooking. Bring non-perishable food items in cans and pouches. Use disposable plates, cups and silverware for easy cleanup without water. Don't forget a manual can opener. Place the food and water in an ice chest, which you can then use as a seat or a work shelf.

Tips & Warnings

• Include comfort items for children, such as a favorite stuffed animal and a game to occupy them.
• Pets can become very fearful, so include something familiar to them such as their blanket.
• Bring important papers, phone numbers, photos and documents into the safe room with you.
• Always listen to the local radio stations for weather, police and emergency information.
• Wait until the hurricane, including the eye, has passed before leaving the safe room.
• Never light a fire inside an enclosed room without proper ventilation.
• Evacuate if ordered to do so, because it may save your lives!

Resources

• Comprehensive hurricane information can be found here.
• This site helps you get ready for a hurricane.