It’s that time of year again: hurricane season. Alabamians need to be prepared for the possibility of severe tropical weather during the Atlantic hurricane season, which begins June 1 and runs through Nov. 30. That includes making safety a priority and having a family emergency plan and emergency supplies ready to go.

Here are some tips about putting your emergency plan together, what to do before and after a severe storm, and what to include in your emergency survival kit.

Before the storm:

• Know the elevation level of your property and whether it’s in a flood plain.
• Assign duties for each family member before the storm.
• Store important family papers and keepsakes in a safe place.
• Have contact information and a standby plan for elderly family members or friends who live alone.
• If you are in an area with a risk for sustained high winds and damage, consider putting plywood over windows.
• Anchor patio and yard furniture.
• Turn off propane tanks.
• Charge cellphones and make sure you have fresh batteries in a portable radio and weather radio.
• Pre-cool your home, in case of an extended outage.
• If there is the potential for tornadoes, remember: the safest place is on the lowest level in a room with no windows.

If you have to evacuate:

• Obey all evacuation orders and instructions from local officials.
• Have a planned destination after you evacuate.
• Map alternate routes in case roads are blocked.
• Notify relatives via text or social media.
• Know where emergency shelters are located.
• Have a plan for your pets; many shelters do not allow animals.
• Set a designated meeting place for after the storm, in case loved ones get separated.

What to include in a 72-hour disaster kit, and other emergency supplies:

• First-aid kit.
• Medications.
• Nonperishable food and water.
• Battery operated radio and weather radio.
• Flashlight and batteries.
• Backup cellphone chargers.
• Personal hygiene items.
• Baby supplies.
• Pet food.
• Dust masks.
• Work gloves.
• Fire extinguisher.

An emergency supply kit is essential to getting through a severe storm. (contributed)

After the storm:

• Stay away from downed or hanging power lines and keep children and pets away.
• Avoid fallen trees or debris where downed lines may be hiding.
• Report a power outage or hazardous situation at AlabamaPower.com or via Alabama Power’s automated reporting system at 1-800-888-APCO (2726).
• Turn off appliances to avoid any potential safety hazards when power is restored.
• Make sure roads are safe before driving. Do not cross flooded roads.

Generator safety:

• While portable generators can help keep appliances running during outages, they can also be deadly when used improperly. Always read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Connect only essential appliances, such as the refrigerator, directly to the generator. Never plug a generator into your household wiring, which can cause serious injury.
• To avoid the potential for carbon monoxide poisoning, always operate generators outdoors in a well-ventilated, dry area, away from open windows or air intakes to the home. A good location is a carport or other roofed structure open on four sides.

Find more information about storm safety at alabamapower.com/storm. Learn more about hurricane preparedness at noaa.gov/hurricane-prep.