START SAVING YOUR PLASTIC GROCERY BAGS. Store them in a box....neatness does not count. They are the main ingredient of this survival guide....as you will soon find out.

DO ANY SHOPPING YOU NEED TO DO AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. Better yet, stock up early ....a little bit each week. You know the drill....batteries, water, non-perishable goods and the like. Also, these items: rolls of plastic sheeting, clothesline rope, duct and masking tape.

REFILL ANY PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS as needed and buy any required medical supplies well in advance.

SECURE EXTERIOR EDGES OF DOORS AND WINDOWS WITH DUCT TAPE to prevent rain from being wind-blown through the cracks. Overlap the tape to form a barrier, if necessary.

SECURE THE INTERIOR EDGES OF DOORS AND WINDOWS WITH DUCT TAPE AS NEEDED.

SECURE CHEST OF DRAWERS, DRESSERS AND DESKS WITH ROPE. Secure by the handles....to keep the drawers shut. Secure the rope to itself....to keep the rope on and tight. The purpose here is to keep the item and its contents intact as a single unit.
Note:Clothesline rope, or its equivalent, will enable you to tie tight knots. Plastic rope will not....unless, of course, you melt the knot with a blowtorch....in which case you may need to call the fire department.

SECURE ALL FURNITURE WITH LOOSE CUSHIONS, DRAWERS, ETC. WITH ROPE.

SECURE FURNITURE TO FURNITURE WITH ROPE. Use "choke" knots. The more bulk you can create the better. Besides, misery loves company....even for inanimate objects.

TAPE WINDOW AND DOOR GLASS WITH MASKING TAPE....INSIDE AND OUTSIDE.
Note:This procedure is controversial. Some say it keeps the glass intact or, at least, in large pieces....others say it does neither. The choice is yours to make. If you do tape your windows and doors, remove the tape as soon after the storm as possible....or heat from the sun will give you a mess you will regret.

CLOSE ALL BLINDS AND DRAPES. Secure the top, bottom and sides with tape to the wall, floor or both. This may be your best deterrent against flying glass.

STORE AS MUCH DRINKING WATER AS YOU CAN IN SANITIZED CONTAINERS,

FILL BATH TUB, BATHROOM BASINS AND 1 OF THE 2 KITCHEN SINKS WITH WATER. If you only have one sink in the kitchen, fill several large pans and place them in the sink. The water in the bath tub and bathroom basins is for washing-up and forced-flushing. The water in the kitchen sink is for after-meal clean-up.

SET REFRIGERATOR/FREEZER AT THE COLDEST SETTING....AND OPEN ONLY WHEN NECESSARY. When you open the refrigerator or freezer doors, do so very slowly so you don't "pull" the cold air out. Open only as far as necessary to access what you need. Close the door slowly....but firmly.

SET THE A/C THERMOSTAT AT 70 DEGREES. If you set it any lower, you run the risk of the condenser and inside coil icing up resulting in warm airflow.

FOR PETS, you'll need to make a separate list of necessary preparations and items needed.

COVER VULNERABLE ITEMS WITH PLASTIC SHEETING AND SECURE WITH ROPE.

• Electronics....move to a dry place away from windows, doors....and elevate.
• Sofas and stuffed chairs
• Beds....wrap them tight. Have you ever tried to sleep on a wet mattress?
• Desks

RE-STACK ALL CLOSET SHELVES. Put fragile items in the middle and surround them with soft items.

DISCONNECT EVERYTHING ELECTRICAL. Tape the plug near the top of the lamp, appliance, etc., with the plug end pointing down....to keep it dry.

FILL VEHICLE GAS TANKS....about 2 gallons short of brim-full....to allow for expansion.

PARK VEHICLE(S) ON THE LEEWARD SIDE OF A STRONG BUILDING....concrete block or similar....with the rear of the vehicle facing windward (oncoming wind direction). You may loose the back window, but the windshield might be saved.