Hurricane Preparedness » Protect Your Home Office

1. Power down all electrical equipment according to manufacturer's instructions or established procedures.
2. Make a copy of any important data from your Windows based Laptop or Desktop to your home folder or group folders on your data center servers for disaster recovery purposes or a satisfactory alternative backup source. This should be your standard daily procedure.
3. Take your Laptop with you when you leave or secure it in a safe location in an upper desk or file cabinet with a lock and remember to keep any keys with you.
4. Ensure that all proprietary/limited data is secured in accordance with procedures
5. Shutdown and power off all Windows based desktop computers as you would at the end of the day. I.T. staff should shutdown UNIX or CAD workstations. Disconnecting un-powered accessories from the personal computer (PC) is not necessary, i.e., mouse, keyboard, etc.
6. Electronic/magnetic storage media (Diskettes, CDs, DVDs, Memory sticks) which contains unique or critical data, should be stored in a locked upper desk or file cabinet drawer. Keep the key with you.
7. Do NOT power off your small Uninterruptible Power Supply or UPS if you have one locally attached.
8. Store all documents, loose paper, and books/binder in cabinets or desks. Important and/or sensitive information should be stored the farthest (highest level) distance from the floor.
9. Remove pictures and other items from office and cubicle walls and locate away from windows.
10. Secure or remove all personal valuables from your office/cubicle and take them with you as you leave. If you are not able to do so, secure them as appropriately.
11. Raise venetian blinds to near the top of the window without jamming them.
12. Assist co-workers with their preparations and/or complete preparations for absent co-workers.

Produced by:

National Disaster Education Coalition:

American Red Cross http:www.redcross.org

FEMA www.fema.gov

IAEM www.iaem.com

IBHS www.ibhs.org

NFPA www.nfpa.org

NWS www.nws.noaa.gov

USDA CSREES www.csrees.usda.gov

USGS www.usgs.gov

The Disaster Centerwww.disastercenter.com