Hurricane Season

get a couple of gas tanks and fill them up with gasoline. In any emergency, you have to have a way to leave or get out if necessary. Batteries, flashlights and a battery-operated fan if you can find one. It will get hot without electricity.
Other little tip: Fill the bathtubs and sinks with water. Use the bathtub water to "flush" the toilet (in case there is no water pressure). Use sink water to cool baby and you off.

I moved here from Miami almost a year ago, so I've had to deal with my share of storms.

If you plan to stay, make sure you have a regular plug to the wall phone (if there's no power, the cordless won't work).

Put all your important papers (insurance, social, passports, etc) and pictures in ziploc bags. If you only use the liquid formula (which I did with my oldest daugther), try to get your daughter to drink the powder one that you have to mix....that way you don't have to worry about keeping the open container in cold.

I would usually empty out the ice tray and put in bags several times...that way I would have plenty of ice. Set your refrigerator to the lowest setting 24 hrs before and try to keep it shut, that way it can act as a cooler and you can try to salvage as much as possible for the longest time possible. Fill your tubs with water, you can use to flush the toilet or other miscellaneous if, in the worst case scenario, there is no running water availabe after the storm.

Hope this help, best of luck.

G.

Hi D.,
When we evacuated for Rita, my daughter was 18 mos. She is now 3 and I have a 7 mo old as well. So, I'm packing up too!

I would make sure you have your pack n play to provide a place for your baby to sleep and to play. You'll want to make sure you have plenty of binkies (if you use them). You'll also want to bring a bottle washing kit--a plastic tub, bottle brush and soap. Dont forget the drying rack as well. I would bring 2 days worth of bottles, so you're not washing bottles all the time. If you're lucky enough to be sheltering at a relative or friend's home, you can use their dishwasher to wash bottles--just be sure to bring the basket.

Also, make sure you have PLENTY of changes of clothes. I quickly found out that the cheap diapers I bought leaked. So we had to change her a couple of times. Also, be sure to bring a light towel for sopping up a wet car seat, etc. It also makes a good cushion for laying her down in the car to change her diaper. If you use a special laundry detergent for her clothes, you'll want to bring that as well.

Lastly, bring toys and books for her. She may not be using them now, but at least you'll have something to play with her while you're sitting around. =)

Good luck!
A.

P.S. I would evacuate early. I plan to leave on Monday even if there is a small chance it's going to hit Houston. I don't want to be sitting on 45 for hours on end again. It took me 23 hours to get to Dallas from Houston. My mom's car broke down along the way too. So..the point is that you don't want to get stuck on the side of the road with a 3 mo old in 100 degree weather. ]

P.S. Don't forget your stroller.

You may want to bring diaper rash cream and lotion.
I also bought the disposable wash cloths for emergency or overnight stays.
Good luck and be careful!!

OK so you need to take the formula, water, baby cereal, wipes, rash cream (my preference is (Boudreaux's buttpaste), tylenol or motrin for infants, any teething tablets (I prefer Hylands because they are natural) clothes, blankets, shampoo or baby wash, toys, a bed for her to sleep in, first aide kit in case of scratches, lotion, sunscreen, walker or activity chair to keep her occupied if you have room, bibs, socks, shoes (if she wears them), pacifier (if used) insurance card, birth certificate, shot record, and then of course all the items that you need! Hope I helped out some and best of luck.

make sure you have plenty of gas for your car. You may also want to look into a bottle warmer that you can plug into your car or use batteries with. That's what we learned when we had to evacuate for rita with a 5 mo. old

If a hurricane hits us, you should fill up every pan, bathtub and cup with water. It is possible that we would be out of water for a few days and you and your baby could still take a bath and boil water if you have a gas stove. If you use pre-made formula you may want to switch to powder so the bottles don't have to be refrigerated and you can just make them as you need them. Oh, and don't forget about having a lighter and candles available.
Hope it doesn't come our way.