If a shelter is the only option, make sure to have what everyone will need to be comfortable and entertained.
By JUDY STARK
Published September 3, 2004
If you're asked to evacuate, get out now.
And if a public shelter is the only place you have to go, go there.
"Overall, conditions in a shelter are usually less than optimal, and are certainly not a "home away from home,' though they sometimes become that," said Tim Teahan, public affairs manager for the Tampa Bay chapter of the American Red Cross.
You may be in a school or other public building with dozens or hundreds of people, no privacy, and lots of noise. You'll be flopping down on the floor on whatever bedding you brought with you: a sleeping bag, an inflatable mattress, a beach chair.
Here's advice on what to take and how to make the best of it if a shelter is your storm destination:
A cell phone and a charger. A car charger adapter may be even more useful, Teahan says, since electrical outlets in a shelter may be in high demand, or the shelter itself may lose power. Fully-charged extra cell-phone batteries are a good idea.
Shelter etiquette: Use an isolated part of the shelter to take or make cell phone calls, and keep your voice low so as not to disturb others. Not everyone wants to listen to your conversation. Turn your cell phone's ring volume as low as possible.
Bring personal hygiene/toiletry items: soap, washcloth, razor, feminine hygiene products, toothbrush and paste. You might want to bring those new textured teeth wipes, such as Oral-B's Brush-Ups, that fit over your finger and allow you to clean your teeth without paste or water. Bring toilet paper; some shelters ran short during Hurricane Charley. Hand sanitizer or a canister of wipes will be handy.
Extra pair of glasses. Hearing-aid batteries.
Medications, in their original containers. That way, if there's a problem, shelter workers will know what you're taking.
Insect repellent.
Books and magazines, cards, games, other diversions.
Your important household papers: deeds, marriage and birth certificates, ATM card, insurance policy, green card, health-insurance card, food-stamp card, CDs on which you've backed up computer files, household inventory, address book.
If you have children, bring games, coloring books, story books, small hand-held computer games, and similar quiet activities.
Bring a child's favorite toy or special blanket that provides some comfort. Bring a pillow for each family member.
Diapers, wipes, changes of clothes, baby food and other infant needs.
Battery-operated personal stereos and radios, used with headphones. A communal television will likely be available somewhere in the shelter. Extra batteries for anything battery-powered.
A battery-operated TV with a built-in VCR may amuse the kids (or you).
Spare set of keys.
Food. Shelters may not always provide three meals a day. Sometimes only snacks and water are available, Teahan says, "and sometimes, depending on the situation, shelters may not be able to provide any food whatsoever." Therefore, plan to bring your own: snack-size portions of fruit or pudding, meat or fish, peanut butter, things you can eat without heating, water or other beverages. Bring paper plates, towels and napkins. Some disaster-preparedness Web sites urge evacuees to eat a hearty meal before they leave home, since it may be their last real food for several days.
Grills, candles, matches or other fire-starters are not permitted in shelters.
Shelters have no facilities to safeguard valuables, and valuables may not be safe in cars in a shelter parking lot. Put them in a safe place, such as a safe deposit box, before you are forced to evacuate.
No pets, except for service animals, are allowed in shelters. Make plans before the storm hits for caring for your pet.
Depending on the time of year a storm strikes, a shelter could be hot or cold in the extreme, with no way to regulate the heat or cold and no way to air-condition or heat the facility if electricity is out. Sweaters, sweatshirts, socks and blankets may increase your comfort if the shelter is too cold.
You may be at the shelter for several days, so bring changes of clothes.
Bring the clothes you will need when you are allowed to return home. Rain gear, work gloves, closed-toe shoes or work boots, and boots or hip waders may be called for.
Pack your shelter supplies in five-gallon plastic buckets with lids, one Charley evacuee suggested. They have handles, or bails, so they're easy to carry, and are strong enough to be used as seats.
Tag or label everything you take to a shelter.
Take a neck wallet or money belt to keep cash and credit cards safe.
Information from the Tampa Bay chapter of the American Red Cross and from disaster-preparedness Web sites was used in this report.
