Special Sections 2012 Storm Guide 2012 : Page 6

6 | SUNDAY , MAY 27 , 2012 STORM GUIDE OCALA STAR-BANNER | www.ocala.com PREPARE: Safeguard your insurance and ﬁ nancial papers Continued from 4 Water puri ﬁ cation tablets. Medications (seven-day supply) and medical items (hearing aids with extra batteries, glasses, contact lenses, syringes, cane). ■ Containers for sewage (5 gallon buckets with covers). ■ Toilet paper. ■ Heavy-duty trash bags. ■ Insect repellent/citronella candles. ■ Multipurpose tool. ■ Sanitation and personal hygiene items. ■ Bleach and cleaning supplies. ■ Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/ lease to home, passports, birth certi ﬁ -cates, insurance policies. You may be required to show ID before being allowed to return to your home). ■ Cellphone with chargers. ■ Family and emergency contact information. ■ Extra cash, including small bills. ■ Map(s) of area. ■ Baby supplies (bottles, formula, baby food, diapers). ■ Pet supplies (collar, leash, ID, food, carrier, bowl). ■ Tools/supplies for securing home. ■ Rope, duct tape, tarps, cardboard. ■ Plywood and plastic sheeting. ■ Extra set of car keys and house keys. ■ Extra clothing, hat and sturdy shoes. ■ Rain gear. ■ Sunscreen. ■ Camera for photos of damage. ■ Blankets, pillows, etc. ■ Moisture wipes. ■ Toys, books and games. ■ ■ Public information lines: Marion County Sheriff’s Of ﬁ ce: 368-3594. American Red Cross: 622-3457. Salvation Army: 732-8326. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): 800-621-3362 or 800-462-7585 (TTY for hearing-im-paired) ■ For social service assistance: 211 (United Way help line.) ■ HALIFAX MEDIA GROUP/FILE Don’t strike matches until you are sure no gas is leaking. ■ Look out for broken glass, nails and other sharp debris. ■ Snakes and other dangerous animals could be on the loose. ■ Do not use water until the local water utility, through the media, says it is safe to do so. Use only bottled or disinfected water. (For information on disinfecting water, see related list.) ■ If your home is damaged, be aware that it still may collapse. ■ Be on the lookout for possible looters. ■ Avoid driving: Roads may be littered with debris and traf ﬁ c lights may not be working. Sources: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Florida Power & Light ■ Florida Division of Emergency Management: www. ﬂ oridadisaster.org. ■ National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: www.noaa.gov. ■ National Hurricane Center: www.nhc. noaa.gov. ■ Florida Department of Financial Services: www.my ﬂ oridacfo.com. ■ The National Hurricane Survival Initiative: www.hurricanesafety.org ■ American Red Cross: www.redcross. org. ■ HELPFUL WEBSITES Flood and wind damage are often covered in separate policies. Decide if you need this protection and contact your agent for more information. ■ Make sure you have adequate cover-age: Consider increasing your coverage if your policy doesn’t cover the current value of your home and its contents. ■ Know the name of your insurers: Write down the names of your agent and agency, your insurance company, your policy number and a telephone number to report a claim. ■ Safeguard your records: Store important insurance and ﬁ nancial papers in a safe and accessible place. AFTER THE STORM ■ EMERGENCY NUMBERS ■ Watch for downed power lines that are still live. STAFF FILE PHOTO To register people who have special needs: Call Marion County Emergency Management at 369-8100. ■ To report road ﬂ ooding: Marion County: 671-8686 City of Belleview: 245-7021 City of Dunnellon: 465-8590 City of Ocala: 629-CITY (2489) ■ For non-emergency police assistance: Marion County Sheriff’s Of ﬁ ce: 732-9111. Belleview Police Department: daytime, 245-7044; nights, 732-9111. Dunnellon Police Department: 465-8510. Ocala Police Department: 369-7070. Boil at rolling boil for 10 minutes, let cool, add a pinch of salt for taste, and then pour the water back and forth between clean containers to reduce ﬂ at taste. ■ Chlorination: Use unscented liquid chloride bleach, add 8 drops to each gallon of water and then stir and let stand for 30 minutes. If water does not have slight chlorine odor, repeat the dosage and let stand for 15 minutes. ■ Chlorine or iodine tablets: Follow directions on the package, but if direc-tions are not given use one tablet for each quart of water. Make sure the tablet dissolves and mix thoroughly. Let stand for 30 minutes. ■ Liquid iodine: Add ﬁ ve drops of 2 percent iodine to each quart of clear water, for cloudy water, add 10 drops of 2 percent iodine to each quart of water. Mix thoroughly and let stand for 30 minutes. ■ DISINFECTING WATER HALIFAX MEDIA GROUP/FILE The Florida Department of Financial Services offers the following tips: ■ Purchase insurance now: Insurance companies do not accept new applica-tions or requests for increased coverage once a hurricane nears Florida. ■ Know what your insurance covers: INSURANCE TIPS When possible, store boats out of the water on land or on a lift to protect them from dangerous storm surges. ■ If the boat is on a lift, tether the bow and stern to the lift itself so that high water will not ﬂ oat it off the lift. ■ Remove all canvas and boat covers if possible and secure below or store elsewhere. ■ Duct tape vertical windows to prevent water from entering the boat. ■ When docked, double-or triple-line boats, allowing them to move with the water but keeping them tight enough to prevent the vessel from slamming against stationary poles and docks. ■ Position fenders where they will best protect the hull from surrounding stationary objects. ■ Clean out lockers and refrigerators of perishable foods. ■ Do not lock the boat or yacht. After a storm, authorities will secure the area and check buildings and boats for people and will break down all locked doors to complete a thorough sweep. ■ TIPS FOR BOAT OWNERS

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