MANILA, Philippines - It pays to be ready before the the typhoons hit the country again this year.
Below are some reminders from the Philippine National Red Cross on what to do before, during and after the typhoon:
Before the typhoon
1. Store an adequate supply of food and clean water. Prepare foods that need not be cooked.
2. Keep flashlights, candles and battery-powered radios within easy reach.
3. Examine your house and repair its unstable parts.
4. Always keep yourself updated with the latest weather report.
5. Harvest crops that can be yielded already.
6. Secure domesticated animals in a safe place.
7. For fisher folks, place boats in a safe area.
8. Should you need to evacuate, bring clothes, a first aid kit, candles/flashlight, battery-powered radio, food, etc.
During the typhoon
1. Stay inside the house.
2. Always keep yourself updated with the latest weather report.
3. If safe drinking water is not available, boil water for at least 20 minutes. Place it in a container with cover.
4. Keep an eye on lighted candles or gas lamps.
5. Do not wade through floodwaters to avoid being electrocuted and contracting diseases.
6. If there is a need to move to an evacuation center, follow these reminders:
- Evacuate calmly.
- Close the windows and turn off the main power switch.
- Put important appliances and belongings in a high ground.
- Avoid the way leading to the river.
After the typhoon
1. If your house was destroyed, make sure that it is already safe and stable when you enter.
2. Beware of dangerous animals such as snakes that may have entered your house.
3. Watch out for live wires or outlet immersed in water.
4. Report damaged electrical cables and fallen electric posts to the authorities.
5. Do not let water accumulate in tires, cans or pots to avoid creating a favorable condition for mosquito breeding.
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Emergency hotlines
Also, keep note of these contact numbers in case of typhoon emergencies:
1. Philippine Coast Guard: 527-8481 local 6290 and 6292; 328-1098
2. Philippine National Red Cross: 527-0000
3. National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council: 911-1406, 912-2665. For contact numbers of NDRRMC directors, click here.
4. Manila Electric Co. (Meralco): 16211
5. Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA): 136 (hotline); 882-4154 to 74 (trunkline); 0917-5618711 (duty officer)
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Being in a typhoon-prone area, the country always experiences devastating storms every year.
In 2009, for instance, a series of typhoons hit the country over a 5-week period, with the extensive floods and strong winds claiming lives and destroying properties across regions.