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Over the last few weeks, we have been sharing valuable information about preventative home maintenance and preparing your home for winter storms. The start of the New Year is a great time to take stock of your emergency kit. It’s a good idea to do this every year in order to replenish and adjust the contents to your families changing needs.
Emergency Kit Basics:
A good place to start when putting together your kit is emergency basics for your family. Keep all items together in a location that is easy to access. Here are some examples of the kinds of things you should consider including in your emergency kit:
- The general rule is to have at least one gallon of water per person, per day. This is useful for drinking, food preparation, and general hygiene. The Red Cross suggests keeping a two week’s supply of water at your home and three days worth in the case of evacuation.
- A two-week supply of non-perishable food that is easy-to-prepare. Flashlight and extra batteries
- Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
- The following first aid kit supplies (Based on the Red Cross Guidelines)
- 2 absorbent compress dressings (5 x 9 inches)
- 25 adhesive bandages (assorted sizes)
- 1 adhesive cloth tape (10 yards x 1 inch)
- 5 antibiotic ointment packets (approximately 1 gram)
- 5 antiseptic wipe packets
- 2 packets of aspirin (81 mg each)
- 1 blanket (space blanket)
- 1 breathing barrier (with one-way valve)
- 1 instant cold compress
- 2 pair of non-latex gloves (size: large)
- 2 hydrocortisone ointment packets (approximately 1 gram each)
- Scissors
- 1 roller bandage (3 inches wide)
- 1 roller bandage (4 inches wide)
- 5 sterile gauze pads (3 x 3 inches)
- 5 sterile gauze pads (4 x 4 inches)
- Oral thermometer (non-mercury/non-glass)
- 2 triangular bandages
- Tweezers
- First aid instruction booklet
To Go Bag:
- If you or family members have medications, make sure you have at least a seven day supply
- Multi-purpose tool
- Sanitation and personal hygiene items
- Hand sanitizer
- Toothbrushes and toothpaste
- Personal wipes
- Personal documents:
- Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies)
- Family and emergency contact information
- Extra cash
- Extra cell phone chargers
- Emergency blanket(s)
Car Kit:
In the case of an evacuation or car emergency you should have a supply kit that can last up to three days.
- The Red Cross recommends having a three=day supply of water in the case of an evacuation (one gallon per person per day).
- Three days’ worth of non-perishable food.
- First aid kit
- Flashlight with extra batteries
- Extra phone charger
- Emergency blanket
- Map of your area
Pets:
If you have pets you will want to pack additional supplies to ensure their safety in the event of an emergency. It’s a good idea to have a week’s worth of food for each pet, a gallon of water per day, medication on hand, additional leash, crate, and sanitation materials (pet bags, litter, etc.).
Keeping Your Sanity:
If you have small children you may want to include activities for kids to stay occupied without the help of electricity. Small games, coloring books and supplies, and other items can be stashed in the emergency kit to keep the family occupied.
Have we missed anything? Let us know what you recommend for emergency preparedness.
