Steps to take NOW to prepare for Hurricane Irma’s impact

These are the steps to take NOW as Hurricane Irma bears down on Southwest Florida:

• Now is the time to charge your smartphone and tablets.
• Now is the time to fill your bathtubs with water.
• Now is the time to do laundry so you have clean clothes for as long as possible.
• Now is the time to bake/make any food you want to enjoy later (including coffee if you don’t mind it cold later).
• Now is the time to make ice that you might need later (more ice in your freezer keeps food colder longer).
• Now is the time to find the manual release for your garage door.
• Now is the time to find your flashlights (candles cause fires).
• Now is the time to find your manual can opener.
• Now is the time to unplug unnecessary/sensitive electronics that are not on surge connectors. (A momentary power surge can damage devices.)
• Now is the time to think of neighbors, particularly the elderly and those with health issues (particularly if heat will stress them), who may need help if the power is off.