Beyond the D batteries

[Carolina_survivor]

For anyone preparing to ride out the storm, here are some things the local TV won't mention that you might want to stock up on (or do):

Coffee!! If you're hooked on caffeine, no power means no coffee. Either pick up some of those coffee singles -- you can heat water on a grill for instant coffee, or get yourself one of those nifty percolators that can sit on a grill (camping section at Target or Walmart). And don't forget the charcoal or the Propane for your grill.

Moist toilettes - it's awful hot and sweaty cleaning up after a hurricane.

If you have a generator -- make sure you have large gas containers (After Isabel, we had to buy about ten 1-gal containers for gas, cause all the larger gas containers were sold out.)

Pet food - don't forget 'em

Lamp oil -- for hurricane lamps if you have them -- and one of those long-handled grill lighters for lighting lamps and candles.

Toilet paper -- nuff said.

Have a laptop computer? Good time to pick up an extra computer battery. Remember to charge it up before losing power.

Charge up your cell phones.

Get all your laundry done - if you lose power for a few days, you won't be able to wash your clothes. You'll go through a lot more towels and dish towels too -- get extra paper towels, paper cups, plates and napkins.

Beer and lots of munchies, of course.

These are just a few things you might not hear about if on those preparation lists. Been there, done that -- just trying to help.

Anyone else have any suggestions?

[The Dark Knight]

I think you got it all....

[GalvestonDuck]

Might I suggest being extremely careful with the hurricane lamps and candles? They now sell nicely bright and powerful battery-operated bulbed lanterns, which are safer. Because of debris and water on the roads, the firefighters aren't always able to respond quickly enough in case of fire. So if you choose to use natural flame, be careful!

[Pebbles]

Lot's of crayons and extra paper for the kiddo's (can play paper games) and special munchies for the little ones to make them feel better...being a kid during/after a hurricane is hard! Even a cheep flashlight that is all their own

[RevDodd]

A couple of things first-timers forget...then never forget again.

A manual can opener. That electric one next to the stove ain't much good without power.

Make your own ice, as much as you can. Even folks in Florida can crank out a couple of Ziploc gallong bag before Charley arrives, and folks northward can make even more. Worst thing that happens is you don't need it.

I'm sure there's more...

[HeartofNC]

Get some containers in the freezer now to freeze water for ice now, you can drink the water later, handy hint used from camping

[HeartofNC]

Get some containers in the freezer now to freeze water for ice now, you can drink the water later, handy hint used from camping

[southeastva]

The thing that saved my sanity during the 6 days without power after Isabel was our portable DVD player. It held a charge for about 3 hours. I have a power inverter for my car so I would just take it out there and charge it up again. It kept the kids from killing each other! Also make sure you have extra batteries for the game boys too!

This may sound wierd but earplugs! It was still pretty hot here and we were sleeping with the windows up and the hum of all those generators is pretty loud.

[RevDodd]

Also make sure you have extra batteries for the game boys too!

This may sound wierd but earplugs! It was still pretty hot here and we were sleeping with the windows up and the hum of all those generators is pretty loud.

Two very good points! With the windows up, make sure you've got plenty of mosquito repellent, too!

[paulvogel]

Fill your icebox with bottles of water, freeze them all, then if you lose power transfer them tto the fridge with your perishables nestled amongst them. open the fridge door as little as possible and you double the lifetime of your perishables.

Ours lasted the 15 hrs to get power on from Isabel