Some body once said,” When you come out of the storm you won’t be the same person that walked in. That’s what the storm is all about.” Nothing can be truer! Hurricane Irma changed me forever. This cruel and wasteful storm of 2017 ravaged my beautiful home. I have been suffering from nightmares since the hurricane season began this year and the smallest mention of winds building speed send shudders down my spine.

We are half way into hurricane season 2018 and thankfully mother nature has been extremely kind. The updated hurricane forecast predicts a below average activity due to “the colder than normal Atlantic Waters.” My understanding is there may not be as many storms as last year, but it does not mean that the storms that do occur will be weak. Last years under preparedness taught me a lesson that will last me a lifetime.So now I stand fully equipped to handle the repercussions of situations created by the eventuality of being hit by a storm. My carelessness of not checking the usability of the batteries was responsible for us going without light for almost 18 hours! Never again will I expose my family to such unnecessary anguish!

I have stocked up on non-perishable food items, enough for three days for all members of the family, gallons of drinking water put away in the pantry and batteries for the radio. I had the trees pruned recently and specifically asked the boys to refrain from leaving their bicycles out in the backyard. In addition to this I have included the Hurricane Lanterns and plenty of batteries. I am convinced the hurricane lanterns must be a part of any contingency equipment. Its 12 LED’S emit approximately 120 lumens. The amount of light to be discharged can be controlled by a switch. It is made of plastic and glass and is durable and cost effective. It has a loop to hang and can be clipped on to a backpack too! Making it easy to carry leaving you hands free to be used for more pressing needs. In fact, it is a great back up tool in times of electricity outage. This beautiful and aesthetically designed Hurricane lantern can be used a s a part of indoor decorative lighting too, simply placeit strategically and enjoy its white radiance as it surrounds the immediate area.