A QUALIFIED electrician and DIY superfan revealed how to make your home hurricane-proof with a little preparation – like putting ice in your washing machine.
Ally Childress listed 10 key steps to take during hurricane season if you are in the direct path of the storm or unable to evacuate in a blog post.
In an article for the Family Handyman, Childress instructed readers to put ice in their washing machine
When the washing machine is off, the melting ice drains out – but she urged people not to try this with a front loader machine or use it to store food.
Likewise, the electrician advised homeowners to make the tub is filled with water for several days to give you the resources to still be sanitary.
You can use the water for cleaning and flushing toilets, without even filling the tank.
Simply pour the water into a toilet bowl – but you should never drink the water without boiling or disinfecting it.
The CDC notes you should have a gallon of water per person and pet per day.
Rather than competing for bottled water, Childress recommended using what is in your tap.
Before the storm, she urged Americans to get a food-grade cooler with a spigot and fill it with water.
In these kinds of coolers, you don't have to open the lid at all, keeping water fresh and free from germs, she said.
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Homeowners can even put one in the bathroom or on the kitchen counter, aiming the spigot over the sink.
LED lights are bright, making up for the lack of power.
You can put strips and pucks in cabinet closets and down stairwells to the supplement flashlights – and some can even detect motion.
STOCKING UP
It’s possible you may need to rely on canned food during a storm and many cans have pull tabs, but not all of them do.
To save power, and make your life easier, invest in a manual can opener.
Likewise, if you're stuck in the house, your dog will still need a place to relieve itself.
One option Childress suggested is to put down sod in a kiddie pool, so your dog knows what to do.
You can also use puppy pads and kitty litter.
FREEZE WATER
You can fill Ziploc sandwich bags with clean water and put them in the freezer before the storm.
They help to keep the food frozen, and eventually could be a needed water source.
This will also keep fridge food cold.
WATER JUG LACTERN
You can use a clear container and place a headlamp around it.
Make sure the lamp is facing the water and you can even drink it if you need to.
If you don’t have LED lights, this hack will allow you to go about your day without holding things in your way.
PRESERVING FOOD
A thermometer is needed to ensure your food isn't going bad.
If your power is out longer than four hours, it's time to check the fridge.
If it’s above 40 degrees in there, discard anything perishable.
Frozen foods can be safely consumed or refrozen if they still have ice crystals on them.
If the freezer is still below 40 degrees, it is also safe to eat.
STORAGE
Many people put their important documents in dishwashers to keep safe during a storm.
However, GE spokesperson Kim Freeman told NBC affiliate 11Alive in Atlanta this is a bad idea.
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If your home is destroyed. the dishwasher, and your documents, could very well be too.
Instead, put them in waterproof containers like plastic bins, that are easy to grab if you have to evacuate.
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