Tropical Storm Fay has once again brought to our attention the need for everyone to be ready for wet and gusty weather conditions with suitable rain gear that includes a wind-resistant umbrella. The fact is hurricane season lasts until November 30th and inclement weather can strike at anytime. Knowing what to do, along with having the right protective products, are vital to staying safe and dry all year-round.

Long before a storm hits is when to get yourself and your family prepared. Essential items that you need to have on hand in both your car and your home include: a radio, water, non-perishable food, a first aid kit, a flashlight, extra batteries, and a blanket. Rain gear is also a necessary component of any storm preparedness kit. Waterproof boots, jackets, and quality rain umbrellas that can withstand both wind and rain are also very important.

Once severe weather begins, it's always smart to stay indoors. However, if you are outside, there are ways to protect yourself. If conditions are just rainy, avoid flooded roads, walkways, creeks, streams, washes, and rivers. Utilize a rain umbrella and rain resistant gear, and keep a close eye out for lightening, hail, and increasing wind speeds.

If there is lightening, locate the nearest safe shelter which can be an enclosed structure or a hard-topped vehicle. Open structures such as carports, tents, dugouts, or convertible cars are not considered to be safe. If you are in your vehicles during a thunder or lightening storm, pull over until it passes, and by all means do not go outside until the storm has passed. While many umbrella manufacturers are now making rain umbrellas with a minimum of metal, it's still never a good idea to open an umbrella until you are absolutely sure that lightening has passed.

For windy conditions, it's also a good idea to stay inside and away from doors and windows. If you are caught outdoors when wind speeds are picking up, grab your rain umbrella to protect yourself from blowing rain, hail, or dust. Most quality umbrellas are designed with windproof construction and can withstand gusts of up to 55 miles per hour. If you're in your car, drive at a slower speed, and watch out for objects such as tree branches, fencing, and other materials that can quickly become windborne missiles.

Finally, keep track of weather events before they happen by monitoring the sever weather warnings issued by both the media and the National Weather Service. Meteorologists now have the ability to detect storms, hurricanes, tornadoes, and other weather conditions with great accuracy utilizing Doppler radar, and report warnings that can save lives.