During a potential threat and threat – “take precautions”
Hurricane/tropical storm could come within 400 or 100 miles within 72 hrs 

• Check emergency supplies and items for securing your home. Stock up.
• Assess your home and make necessary repairs to roofs, etc.
• Remove overhanging limbs and fruit from trees.
• Decide whether you need to stay with friends or relatives or go to a shelter.
• Find out which shelter is closest to you and decide how you will get there if you need to.
• Make arrangements for your pets in case you have to go to a shelter.
• Fill vehicles with gasoline and, if necessary, withdraw some cash from the bank.
• Stay tuned to radio and local television for the latest official notices from the Emergency Measures Organization. 
  
  

Watch – “batten down”
Hurricane/tropical storm could strike within 36 hours
 

Outside

• Put up shutters or board up windows, glass doors and skylights. Wedge sliding glass doors and windows to prevent them from lifting from their tracks.
• Bring in or securely tie down everything that could be blown away, such as outdoor furniture, potted plants, clothes racks, garden tools, garbage pans, etc.
• Remove antennas and satellite dishes to prevent damage or loss.

Inside

• Sterilize bathtub, pans, jugs and bottles and fill with water.
• Turn refrigerator and freezer to the coldest setting and open as little as possible.
  

Warning – “ take refuge”

Hurricane/tropical storm could strike within 24 hours
A Warning remains in effect until the storm has passed or is no longer a threat

Before the storm strikes

• Close curtains and blinds to minimise the danger of flying glass if windows are broken.

• Put your food and other hurricane supplies in plastic bags and containers so they won’t get wet.
• Turn off outside gas cylinders and disconnect gas pipes.
• Bring pets indoors. If you have to leave home and cannot find accommodation for your pets, leave them indoors along with food and litter.
• Fill the bathtub and basin with water and brace the bathroom door open so they will have drinking water if water containers get knocked over. Make sure they are wearing identifying collars with metal/plastic tags.
• If you intend to stay with relatives or friends, or to take pets to a kennel, go now.
• Shelters will usually open during this phase. If you intend to go to a shelter, listen for announcements that the one nearest you is open. Before you leave, turn off the main power and fuel supply and take the items you have prepared.
• Park vehicles inside the garage or away from trees
• If you are remaining at home, go indoors, secure and brace external doors. You can brace an inward-swinging door by wedging a chair with the back against the door knob.
• Stay indoors, but be ready to evacuate to a shelter or other location if your home is damaged, or if you are instructed to do so by emergency personnel
• Use telephone for emergencies only.
• Stay tuned to local media for official notices and instructions from the National Hurricane Committee.
  

During the storm

• Close all inside doors. If the wind gets inside, closed doors will help stop it from entering other rooms.  You can also brace inward-swinging doors by wedging a chair-back against the knob. 
• Do not go outside while the eye of the storm (an area of calm weather at the centre of the storm) is passing, unless absolutely necessary. Depending on the size of the eye and the speed at which the hurricane is travelling, the calm weather can last for up to half an hour or more, but winds will return unexpectedly from the opposite direction, sometimes with greater force. Don’t be caught off-guard!

NB:- The great majority of injuries during a hurricane are cuts and blows caused by flying glass, trees or other debris. Other injuries include puncture wounds resulting from exposed nails or metal, and bone fractures.

• If your roof begins to fail, go to an inner room (preferably one without windows), or to a cupboard or passageway or empty bathtub or stall and shield yourself with a mattress.