Ireland is due to experience our first official hurricane tomorrow, so in case you’re like me and only thought of candles when your mother mentioned it, I thought as an Organiser, I better get myself organised. In Dublin, we’re not in direct line of the storm, but here’s some things I’ll be doing tonight to make sure that if the hurricane hits badly, I’m ready.
{VIA}
The West of the country have seen horrendous storms and experienced terrible damage in the past. They know a lot more than I about preparing for a storm. Assuming that if you are in a flood prone zone, or in one of the counties included in the status red wind warning, you’ve probably boarded up windows, sorted out sandbags and moved all furniture upstairs already, here are a few more last minute tips to consider.
1. Outdoors
Anything that has the potential to become damaged or cause damage, take them indoors or tie them down well. Don’t forget items on balconies too.
2. Pets
Keep your four legged friends indoors for the next twenty four to forty eight hours. Make sure you have enough food and a litter tray set up for them.
3. Electronics
Charge up all phones, computers and iPads ahead of time. To be on the safe side, you could keep them plugged in charging so that they’re full from the minute the electricity goes. Charge up power banks too!
4. Lights
Make sure to stock up on candles, matches, a torch and batteries. Have these close to hand and somewhere you can find them even if you have to do so in the dark. Be careful with the candles. And make sure that you take a walk around the hallways of your home and remove any clutter, rugs and other obstacles that might cause a trip hazard in the dark.
5. Water & Food
Stock up on water for the next few days. Don’t forget some for the pets. Fill a bathtub with water which you can you use to fill the toilet if you lose water. Have some food staples and snacks to hand that don’t require cooking or opening a fridge.
6. Petrol and fuel
Make sure there’s a full tank of petrol in the car. Although venturing outdoors is obviously not the thing to do. Having some fuel for the fire in case the heating goes might also be useful.
7. Twitter & Radio
If you have a battery operated radio, dust it off and pop in some new batteries. On Twitter, put push notifications on for @meteireann and follow the hashtag #ophelia for updates.
Take care everyone,
