Basic Essentials
-Three-day supply of nonperishable food -Three-day supply of water (one gallon of water per person, per day) -Portable, battery-powered radio or television and extra batteries -Flashlight and extra batteries -First-aid kit and manual -Sanitation and hygiene items (moist towelettes and toilet paper) -Matches and waterproof container -Whistle -Extra clothing -Kitchen accessories and cooking utensils, including a can opener -Photocopies of credit and identification cards -Cash and coins -Special-needs items, such as prescription medications, eyeglasses, contact lens solutions and hearing aid batteries -Items for infants, such as formula, diapers, bottles and pacifiers Source: www.fema.gov
When it comes to being prepared for an emergency or natural disaster, it is always easier to look back and realize what you wish you had packed or thought to bring with you. This is especially true when the emergency comes as a surprise, such as a house fire. But sometimes you do have some time to make yourself ready.
But as we saw with Hurricane Harvey in Texas and as we are seeing with Hurricane Irma in the Atlantic, Mother Nature is unpredictable.
For some, having a medical first-aid kit in the house is as much preparation as they do. Others bury survival kits with everything from food and cash to weapons in them around their houses. So just how do you prepare for an emergency and to what level?
The editors of ParentsPartner.com has nearly 100 items in their Emergency Evacuation Kit. The list is broken down as Essential Items, Clothes, Useful Items, Luxury Items and Emergency Actions such as turning off all water, gas and electricity and making sure your petrol or gas cylinders are full.
Among the essential items are things like handheld water filters, medicines, birth and marriage certificates, wallet, duct tape and hand sanitizer. Included on the list of useful items are phone chargers, sunscreen, a bicycle and a Bible.
On the list of Luxury Items are some "wish-I'd-thought-of-those items" like a pack of cards, favorite toys, a gas stove, computer hard drive and a camping toilet.
The site recommends you keep the kit in a large box somewhere in the house where every family member knows where it is.