So you've done everything you could to protect your home and windows during a hurricane.

Now you should focus on hurricane supplies. Most experts suggest you have anywhere from three to seven days worth of supplies for your entire family. My personal experience with Hurricane Andrew would suggest you go with seven days worth of supplies....

Here's a list of items you should have on hand in case a hurricane is headed your way. You should try to get as many of these items as your budget allows well in advance of the announcement of a hurricane watch or warning: I've had to go to stores myself with a hurricane bearing down on my town only to find there's no bottled water or batteries left.

• Water - at least one gallon daily per person per day. Figure about a gallon or less for children; more than a gallon per person per day for adults if you live somewhere really hot (south Florida in August, for example) and/or expect to be doing a lot of physical work clearing debris after the storm hits. Include water for your pets too—depending on their size, they may need less than one gallon a day. A special tip: if the tap water in your area is good quality, you don't need to buy bottled water. Instead, buy a few collapsible water carriers or plastic water jugs like the kind used for camping. You purchase these containers once and keep them for many years; as soon as a hurricane warning is announced for your town, fill them with fresh tap water and you're all set.

• Food - at least enough for everyone in your home for three to seven days.
  
• Canned and non-perishable foods and juices
• Snack foods
• A non-electric can opener
• Non-perishable baby food (if you have an infant)
• Non-perishable pet food (if needed)
• Paper plates and plastic eating utensils
• Some type of cooking system and fuel, such as a camp stove or cans of Sterno. WARNING: Make sure only an adult uses cooking items, make sure you keep an eye on any heat source at all times, and make sure you do all your cooking outdoors in a well-ventilated area

• A first-aid kit

• Medications—make sure you have enough to last you a couple of weeks; if you or anyone in your household has a prescription, be sure to fill it in advance of a hurricane warning as it may take some time after the storm for drug stores to be resupplied.

• Sleep and comfort items such as pillows, blankets, sheets, etc.

• Clothing—you might need work clothes/boots for cleaning up outside after the storm.

• Any special baby items or items for elderly (diapers, etc.)

• Toiletries and hygiene items

• Battery-powered appliances and plenty of batteries
• Flashlights, lanterns and other lighting
• A radio

• Vehicles—gas up every car in your household. If your area is without power as a result of the storm, the gas stations won't be able to open.

• Telephones—make sure you have an old-fashioned phone, meaning one that is not cordless and that does not need to run off power from a wall outlet, as you may be without electrical power for a long time.

• Cell phone—make sure to charge your cell phone for as long as you can as the storm approaches. Charge any spare batteries as well. Also, get a car charger for your cell phone as well as a charger that can charge your phone by using a 9-volt or other standard battery.

• Entertainment—you're probably going to live without TV, your computer and video games for a few days, so make sure you have books and games for yourself and other adults, and toys if you have children.

• Money—have some cash on hand as ATMs may not work if the power is out after the storm.

• Tools—keep them handy, they'll be useful after (and maybe even during) the hurricane.

• A waterproof container of some sort so you can keep important paers and documents (insurance, Social Security card, deed, etc.).

• Pet stuff
• Pet records and ID
• Pet carrier/cage/crate
• Leashes and muzzles