1. Keep the cupboard full. Have canned vegetables, fruit, juices, baked beans, tuna fish and baby food on hand. When possible, select cans with pull-off tops. And, know where your non-electric can opener is located so you can find it in the dark.

2. Stock up on bottled water. Add candles and matches to your shopping list.

3. Get a "wired" phone. Make sure it uses electricity from the local phone company. Cordless phones that plug into electric outlets will not work without power.

4. Buy and charge extra batteries. For your flashlights, radio and in particular, your cell phone. Tip: A cell phone charger that plugs into the cigarette lighter in your car can keep batteries charged if you lose power.

5. Cover the windows. Permanent shutters are best, but you can also use 1/2 inch plywood, cut to fit each window and door. Pre-drill holes every 18 inches for screws.

6. Bring in lawn furniture. Or anything else that might fly around in a windstorm, including garbage cans, rakes and brooms.

7. Fill up the tank. As soon as you hear a storm is coming your way, head for the nearest gas station. Gasoline pumps work electrically. And, lines will be long the closer to storm time.

8. Plan an evacuation route. Check with the local Red Cross, Sheriff's Office and other officials for the location of nearby shelters and roads that are safe.

9. Pick a meeting place. Plan in advance where you will meet members of your family or friends, in case you are separated -- a hotel, motel, solid building., Red Cross center.

10. Line up an out-of-state friend. Use this person as "the" contact for all members of your family. Phone him or her for updates.

11. Pack a disaster kit. It should include:

• Bottled water, 3 gallons per person
• Cash
• Change of clothes
• Boots, gloves, sweaters, ponchos
• Copy of your homeowner's insurance policy and contact name/number
• First-aid supplies
• Flashlight with spare batteries
• Medications
• Non-perishable food
• Non-electric can opener
• One blanket per person
• Paper towels
• Pet food & bowls
• Portable radio with batteries
• Sleeping bags
• Swiss-Army style knife
• Zip-lock bags

12. Open your garage door. If it's electrically operated, open it just enough so you can manually push it the rest of the way in case you lose electricity. Alternative: Take your car out of the garage before the storm hits.

For More Information...

o The Federal Emergency Management Agency: www.fema.gov

o American Red Cross: http://www.redcross.org/

- Nancy Dunnan