Daily HealthBeat Tip

Before the storm

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I�m Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.

Scrambling to get ready for the hurricane as it bears down is like shopping for Christmas December 24th. Even people who do it concede it�s not the best way.

So instead of Christmas, let�s think New Year�s resolution. We can resolve to plan ahead.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises you to learn about your community's emergency plans, warning signals, evacuation routes, and locations of emergency shelters.

Also, identify potential home hazards, and know how to secure or protect them before the hurricane strikes.

And Surgeon General Richard Carmona reminds you to get supplies in order � and if you can�t get them, get help:

�Ask a friend or a relative to drive you to pick up items you may need during an emergency, including a week�s supply of medication.� (seven seconds)

Learn more at www.hhs.gov.

HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I�m Ira Dreyfuss.

Last revised: May 22, 2005

The White House | USA.gov | Helping America's Youth