With hurricane season looming it's important to make your preparations early, so you aren't rushing around when a storm is close. Here are advisories from www.sharkoil.bm on what you need:

BEFORE THE START OF THE HURRICANE SEASON

Keep a two-week supply of prescriptions and special medications.

Check flashlights are functioning and radio batteries. Have extra on hand. Check them every six months when you change your smoke detector batteries.

Keep a supply of candles and matches for after the storm. Don't use candles or flammable devices during the storm.

Have a supply of Sterno fuel or camping fuel.

Have a manual can opener.

If you have space, store extra plywood, lumber, nails and other materials to secure your home.

Check fire extinguishers are fully charged or have a bucket of sand handy.

If you have them check your generator and chainsaw are in operating order.

If you have to evacuate, learn the locations of the nearest official shelters

Learn safe routes to the official shelters.

Keep trees and shrubs trimmed.

Check the up-chain and bridle of your boat mooring annually.

PREPARE A FAMILY PLAN

Discuss the type of hazards that could affect your family. How vulnerable is your home to storm surge, flooding and wind.

Designate a safe room or the safest areas in your home for each hurricane hazard. In certain circumstances the safest areas may not be your home but within your community. Learn the location of the closest official shelters.

Establish escape routes from your home and places to meet.

Have a single point of contact for all your family members.

Make a plan now for what to do with your pets if you need to evacuate.

Post emergency telephone numbers by your phones and make sure your children know how and when to call 911.

Check your insurance policies for wind, flood and rain coverage's.

Stock non-perishable foods and an emergency kit.

Have an FM radio tuned to 100.1 mHz. Remember to replace its battery every six months, as you do with your smoke detectors.

Take First Aid and CPR courses.

WHEN A STORM THREATENS

Monitor the news on the local stations. Should they go off the air tune into the Government Emergency Broadcast Station on FM 100.1 mHz

DON'T be misled by storm track predictions; strong winds could arrive hours before the estimated landfall.

Review emergency plans with your family. Practice where to go in the house as the hurricane intensifies.

If you plan to leave your house, start packing.

Limit travelling to necessary trips. Do not go far from home or your safe place.

Fill up the fuel tank of your car or bike. Make sure you have a spare tire; buy aerosol kits that fix and inflate flats.

DON'T fill gasoline cans; they are a fire hazard.

Check battery, water, and oil.

BE PREPARED

Charge rechargeable cellular phones, drills, flashlights, lanterns, batteries.

Get cash.

Get a two week supply of prescription drugs

Secure your boat by adding an extra bridle or if possible remove it from the water to a secure location.

WHEN A WARNING IS ISSUED

Continue to monitor the news on the local stations. If the local stations go off the air tune into the Government Emergency Broadcast Station on FM 100.1 mHz

Get shutters, siding or plywood in place on windows. If you have not pre-fitted ply use masonry nails.

Move vehicles out of flood-prone areas and away from trees. Park in garage or close to homes or buildings.

Secure bikes indoors or in a safe place.

Move garbage cans, grills, patio furniture and potted plants into house or garage.

Clear yard of loose objects. If you want to do any last-minute pruning, you must take the clippings inside; trash pickup will have been suspended and you'll be creating a nice pile of missiles.

Remove awnings and tarps.

Tie down anything you can't bring in.

Prepare your pool. Add extra chlorine to the water to prevent contamination.

Turn off pool circulation pump and any other electrical apparatus.

Submerge aluminium and plastic lawn furniture in the pool.

Secure TV antenna or satellite dish.

Secure anything inside your home that can be thrown around by the wind should a window break. Tape or tie cabinets. Remove items from window sills, counter and table tops. Close closet doors.

Turn off your gas cylinders.

Plug down pipes on the roof to prevent salt water contamination.

WHEN THE STORM IS HOURS AWAY

Keep in touch with the news on the local stations. Should they go off the air tune into the Government Emergency Broadcast Station on FM 100.1 mHz

It is now too late to do many things outside but there is still time to:

Fill your tub and bottles with water.

Prepare food and water according to suggestion provided in this guide.

Secure and brace external doors, especially double doors.

Move as many valuables as possible off the floor to limit flooding damage.

Unplug small appliances

Move furniture away from windows or cover with plastic.

Continue to listen to radio and TV for instructions.

Stay off the roads. It's too late to get supplies, and you'll be competing with people trying to get home.

Set refrigerator to highest setting to ensure food keeps if the power goes off.

Stay inside. Conditions will deteriorate rapidly, sometimes hours before landfall and often at night.

Secure pets indoors or in protected locations elsewhere.

DON'T attempt to check your boat once the winds have strengthened or the seas become too rough.

DURING THE STORM

Stay tuned to the news on the local stations. Should they go off the air tune into the Government Emergency Broadcast Station on FM 100.1 mHz

Stay inside. Stay away from windows and doors.

DON'T use telephone or electrical appliances.

Remember to open one window a couple of inches on the leeward side of the building away from the approaching storm. This reduces the pressure buld up inside the how and canhelp prevent damge to the roof. If the eye' passes directly over the island remember to switch windows as the winds will return from the opposite direction.

If storm becomes intense, retreat to designated interior hurricane safe room.

If you fear your house will come down around you, get into a bathtub and place a mattress over you.

AFTER THE STORM

Stay tuned to the news on either the local stations or the Government Emergency Broadcast Station on FM 100.1 mHz

DON'T leave your home or shelter until emergency officials (EMO) tell you it's safe. You may only be in the eye, with half the storm - sometimes the stronger half - still to come.

If you're not at home, don't return until you get the all-clear. Roads may be blocked by debris. Wait to learn from broadcast reports or shelter officials which roads are passable.

Stay out of the way of Rescue workers. Do not hinder their efforts.

DON'T sightsee. Keep the roads clear for emergency vehicles.

Driving will be treacherous. Roads may be filled with debris and downed power lines. If your neighbourhood floods during the storm, listen to the radio for instructions. Rising water may require you to leave even after the storm has passed.

Watch and listen for reports of storm-spawned tornadoes.

DON'T call police unless you have a life-threatening emergency.

Report downed power lines and power outages to Belco

DON'T touch power lines. Watch for downed lines. Assume all lines are live unless told otherwise.

If you have lost your electricity open the refrigerator/freezer doors sparingly.

Watch your step. The area will be covered with broken glass and other debris. If damaged your home, your porch or tree limbs may be weakened and could give way.

Use your cell phones sparingly; they may be your only working phones. Battery life is limited. If you must call loved ones to let them know you're all right, be brief to free lines for others.

If the electrical wiring in your house is damaged, turn off the electricity at the mains.

Make a list of damage to your house, contents car or boat. At the earliest opportunity report any damage to your insurance company so that they can assist you in restoring the loss.