Hurricane Season 2018: Puerto Rico

Family and friends of Puerto Ricans living on the island:

Recently the government of Puerto Rico made an announcement saying “they” are ready for the new hurricane season. More than calling it a statement full of insincerities, I prefer to concentrate in what we can do in order to get ready.

As many of us already know, the devastation of the hurricane Maria still visible around us. There are people still without electrical power, without proper water service, without jobs, without a roof over their heads, whatever was unstable now is falling apart like traffic lights, electrical cables/poles, trees and so on; God forbids us to receive an impact of another atmospheric system, whether natural or not.

Hurricane season goes from June 1^st to November 30^th.

What can we do in order to help our people and their property?

_Open a clear and direct line of communication with the families/friends you would like to help now (today).

_Start creating small boxes with the items they would need, ask but also be creative. Start sending those boxes now. You may check with your local department stores to buy the items to be picked up in Puerto Rico.

Ideas of items:

_Water filters

_Bleach wipes

_Tarps 

_Batteries, make sure are the size they will need for their electronics equipment.

_Small radio

_Mosquito repellent, liquid, bracelets, key chain or wipes versions.

_Mosquito nets (mosquiteros)

_Flashlights or any type of lights.

_Solar lights (find in garden stores)

_Solar cell phone chargers.

_Rechargeable- USB chargers boxes.

_First Aid Items: Antibiotic ointments, bands, gauze, over the counter medicine for allergies, fever and pain. Alcohol, antiseptics in wipes version.

_To protect home; you may talk to your nearest warehouse and buy items that could be picked up in Puerto Rico for your family to safeguard their property.

_Adhesive tape to seal windows.

_$1.00 shower curtains to protect windows from rain and other property items.

_Plastic sealable bags to protect documents. Trash bags.

_Canned food

_Powder milk and juices.

_Entertainment articles: cards, board games, coloring books, crayons, dominoes, etc.

_Personal items: feminine pads, diapers, deodorant, lotions, sunblock, soap, tooth brushes, paste, etc.

_Money, so they can have cash set aside for when banks, and electronic cards are not working.

_Check with your local post office and/or delivery companies for items prohibited to be send in boxes.

_Find Official websites with information on how to prepare for emergency events.

Note: Do NOT overflow your boxes and risk breakage and losing your stuff not reaching your people. You can protect some of the items using plastic, or removing them from original package to make more room without altering the content, protect all you send. You may cover with plastic the inside of the boxes and use “good” adhesive tape.  

Have a conversation with your family and friends living there and find out what their needs are and how you can help.

The past experience prepared us to be more alert and on point with all the things we need to do and collect for readiness, without counting on the government support, but each other. You can make such a big difference in the lives of your love ones ahead of time.

Please start now, because later could be too late.

Let’s make it happen!

Sigue Girando Planeta

Link-Related post: Survival Plan