Back to School and Storm Preparation
Each August Virginia offers Tax-Free Weekend for back to school supplies and Hurricane Preparedness. This weekend thousands flooded stores to stock up on school supplies as their main priority. Did you give thought to Hurricane Preparedness? Unfortunately, if you are like most of us it was not high on your agenda. Just the thought of fighting the crowds to get school supplies sickens even the strongest shopper, likening the weekend rush to post Thanksgiving sales in some areas of the Commonwealth.
Hurricane season will soon be in swing and with it comes that Back To School date that tests even the most prepared parent. As parents, we are thinking about the binders, the tissues and glue sticks, the mountains of “first-day forms” to be completed and the compatibility of teacher and student. We forget the majority of hurricanes over the last 20 years have blown us over in September. You can be prepared for both easily with a few helpful tips!
As you prepare for back to school, wrap up last minute summer projects, and prepare for early morning bus stops, begin preparing for the stressful last-minute interruptions to a smooth morning. Foggy mornings, storms and hurricanes will test you to your limit. Have a plan for where your children will go, how they will get to school and home and what the scenario will look like when last-minute school delays and cancellation occur.
Have extra snacks ready for storms and delayed school days by spending a few of those last precious moments of summer vacation as a family. Make it an evening of baking and freezing your favorite cookies, brownies, and snacks with your children. Don’t forget to make extra batches to freeze in single-serve packages for quick after-school snacks and after-school activities. These extra snacks will keep the freezer full for when power does go out but will also provide you stress-free after-school snacking as well!
Consider Fall weather events when shopping for back to school snacks, after-school treats, and quick meals. Stock your pantry with foods that do not require refrigeration or freezing, and can be pulled out for quick use. By stocking your pantry this way, you will have taken one important step to be prepared for the storm early!
Before the official first day of school, take one evening and review your emergency plans with your children If they are at school and released early, do they know where they are to go or what choices to make? Do they ride the bus, catch a ride from a friend, call you? Or should they simply stay at school to be picked up? Empower your children to be confident in the family plans in any circumstance. Empower your children to know how the plans are made so they can grow up making good, rational and safe plans as they grow into adulthood. Explain your choices and better yet, involve even your smallest children in the decisions of the emergency planning. Raising prepared children will reduce the stress at your home and give you a peace of mind as you send them on to college and adulthood.
Preparing before the storm makes sense! Visit our Beat the Storm for more great tips, hints, and ideas. Need help getting started? Print our Emergency Preparedness PDF and start here, post your completed copy and add (without personal information) a copy to your child’s book bag or give to the school as your child’s plan.
Remember that a Generac Home Standby or Portable from the trusted leader since 2003, Hale’s Electrical Service, will provide you peace of mind in the storm. Financing is available and you can pre-qualify and apply from your phone, tablet or computer. With several finance options, there is one sure to fit your needs. Let us size up your home or office today and when you are ready to invest in less stress and added peace of mind during the storm we will be there for you!
