Building your emergency kit!

[MrsPinecone]

From the American Red Cross:

Three Steps to Preparedness - Get a Kit

Since we are smack dab in the middle of hurricane season, I thought that this would be a good list to have.

[flash]

Be Prepared! Emergency Preparedness and Stockpiling

September is National Preparedness Month. And what better way to be prepared for whatever weather, financial bumps, or just life in general sends your way than to keep your stockpiled resources ready to go.

It's also hurricane and tornado season, with heat advisorys in place...and snow to follow soon! So I thought it would be nice to keep a list of things to have on hand for emergencies.

Here are some basic supplies to consider preparing for emergencies; I'd love to know what you keep on hand:



Basic Emergency Supply Kit

To plan your emergency supplies, first check on the basics:

Water:

• You will need one gallon of water per person per day
• For planning purposes, stockpile for at least three days
• Children, nursing mothers, and sick people may need more water
• If you live in a warm weather climate more water may be necessary
• Additional water may be needed for sanitation and hygiene

Tip: Water can be quickly stockpiled in any clean plastic containers such as soft drink bottles
Tip: Keep the “extra spaces” in the freezer filled with ice (ice cubes in Ziploc bags, fill clean plastic bottles or cartons, etc). In an emergency, the ice will help keep the freezer cold, but can also be melted for clean drinking water.



Food:

• For planning purposes, stockpile at least a three day supply of non-perishable foods
• Only choose food does not require refrigeration, preparation, cooking, and that requires little or no water.

You can use this list as a starting point:

• Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits and vegetables
• Ready-to-eat pouched foods (tuna, rice…)
• Protein or nutrition bars (Zone bars, Balance bars, Kashi…)
• Protein or nutrition drinks (Boost, Ensure…)
• Dry cereal or granola
• Dried milk
• Non-perishable pasteurized milk (box or canned)
• Peanut butter
• Crackers
• Dried fruit (raisins, apricots, craisins…)
• Nuts (especially peanuts, almonds, and cashews)
• Canned or bottled juices
• Canned beans, (chili, baked beans, pork ‘n’ beans…)
• Comfort/stress foods

Can Opener (manual)

Paper/ disposable plates, napkins, cups, utensils

A strong spoon to remove things from cans

Knife

Phone number and directions to nearest dry ice supplier

Baby formula, milk, teething biscuits, etc.


Shelter:
Tarp or plastic sheeting and tie-downs

• Large garbage bags can be duct taped together to create a tarp if necessary

Sleeping bag or warm blankets

• Plan sleeping arrangements for each person.
• Consider additional bedding if you live in a cold-weather climate

Clothing:

• Complete change of clothing including a long sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes
• Consider additional clothing if you live in a cold-weather climate
• Underwear! You can use pantiliners or pads for emergency changes.

Sanitation:
Plan ahead for no running or potable water

• Pre-moistened towelettes
• Personal wipes
• Disinfecting wipes
• Personal and feminine hygiene
• Purcell or other dry hand sanitizer

Household Bleach:

• Dilute nine parts water to one part bleach to disinfect
• As an emergency water supply, use 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water.
• Do not use scented, color safe or bleaches with added cleaners.

Dust mask or pollen filter to help filter mold and debris.

Garbage bags (and plastic ties if necessary) for personal sanitation and/or clean-up

Multi-use products:

• Baking soda (toothpaste, mouthwash)
• Hydrogen peroxide (mouthwash, disinfectant)
• Baby powder (dry shampoo)

Safety/First Aid:
First Aid Kit:
The following things can help you stop bleeding, prevent infection and assist in decontamination.

• Two pairs of Latex, or other sterile gloves
• Sterile dressings
• Cleansing agent/soap and antibiotic towelettes
• Antibiotic ointment
• Burn ointment
• Adhesive bandages in a variety of sizes.
• Eye wash solution
• Thermometer

In addition, the following are recommended for First Aid kits:

• Scissors
• Tweezers
• Tube of petroleum jelly or other lubricant
• Non-prescription drugs:
• Aspirin or nonaspirin pain relievers
• Anti-diarrhea medication
• Antacid (for upset stomach)
• Laxative
• Benadryl or other fast-acting antihistamine

Safety Equipment

• Fire Extinguisher
• Whistle to signal for help
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both

Tools:

• wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
• Phillips head screwdriver
• Flat head screwdriver
• Scissors
• Box cutter or knife
• Hammer and nails

General:

• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Batteries!
• Matches in a waterproof container
• Duct tape
• Scissors
• paper cups, plates and plastic utensils, paper towels
• Paper and pencil/pens
• Cell Phone and standard corded wall phone
• PHONE BOOK
• Charcoal for BBQ and lighter method
• Candles (unscented)
• Sewing kit
• Consider pre-packing a travel kit with all those travel size products J

Documents and Money:
Copies of important family documents in waterproof, portable containers or ziplocs:

• policies
• identification
• bank account records
• credit or debit card numbers
• Medical insurance cards.

Cash or traveler's checks and change

Emergency reference material

• first aid book
• local disaster planning information
• Local maps (you may have to locate an alternate route)
• List of doctors and phone numbers
• Emergency contacts
• a local phone book

Additional Items to Consider Adding:

Prescriptions:
At least three days supply:

• Daily medications such as insulin, heart medicine, blood pressure meds...
• PRN medications such as asthma inhalers, anxiety meds, allergy meds
• Extra set of prescription glasses, contacts, and related cleaners
• Prescribed medical supplies such as glucose and blood pressure monitoring equipment and supplies.

Tip: Periodically rotate medicines to account for expiration dates.


Baby/Infants Special Needs:

• Formula
• Diapers
• Bottles
• Powdered milk
• Medications
• Wipes
• Moist towelettes
• Diaper rash ointment
• toys

Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children


Pets:

• Dry and/or canned pet food (don’t change from the usual brand now!)
• Remember to include extra water for your pets
• Treats
• Toys
• Something to chew

Also Handy:

• Wet/dry vacuums
• Fans
• Water filtration
• Insect repellant
• Roadside emergency Safety kit
• Power inverter

Pre-packed Travel Kits
Use travel sizes:

• toothbrush
• toothpaste
• dental floss
• mouthwash
• deodorant
• shampoo
• conditioner
• hair styling products
• facial care
• disposable razors
• shaving crème/gel
• make up
• soap
• dry shampoo
• sewing kit
• shower cap
• maps
• prepaid cell phone, phone card, debit cards

so...what do you keep for emergencies?

[YouPdWhat]

My DH & I made one a few years ago but I know for sure I need to update what is in it. Living in Fl. we really need to have one ready to go during hurricane season. Thanks for reminder, I will add to my never ending to do list.

[crazybmb]

My DS is an Eagle Scout and one of the items that should be in every kit is sanitary pads and tampons. He said the are a really great thing to have. The can be used for sort of things (too many to mention). The big thing about them is that they are sterile.

[amerline]

I noticed glow sticks on clearance at a local store and added these to our emergency kit (also available at Dollar Tree for $1). In a power failure these can be used as a small light source, or you can put the bracelet or necklace on your child to help keep track of them when there is no light. We used these at night when we were camping and it was great to see just where my child was.

[ShoppingDiva]

Just an FYI from personal experience....in the event of an evacuation, take your supplies WITH YOU!

When we evacuated for hurricane Rita in 2005, I let alot of my things here thinking that I'd need them when we got back home after the storm. It was only a Cat 3 so I knew my home would still be here and wouldn't be flooded. I didn't take into consideration the fact that the stores in the area that we evacuated to would be sold out of EVERYTHING...including bread! All my bread, granola bars, vienna sausage, etc. were back here at home! Grrrr....

It was two weeks until we were able to come home. I was still able to use some of my supplies (except for everything in my fridge and freezer that I lost!) when we got home but we really could have used some in the first 72 hours of evacuation.

[ostatecoupongal]

you know, I have never really specifically kept things 'on hand' for emergencies- but after reading that list I know I have alot of stuff in my stockpile that is useful.
Does the RC suggest keeping it all in one place?
How do you make sure your emergency stockpile isn't destroyed by a tornado/hurricane, etc?
Flash, do you have one?

[jlaporte]

wow. some stuff i have thought of and keep together. but man is that thorogh. thanks a bunch. i will be rethinking my plan.

[flash]

you know, I have never really specifically kept things 'on hand' for emergencies- but after reading that list I know I have alot of stuff in my stockpile that is useful.
Does the RC suggest keeping it all in one place?
How do you make sure your emergency stockpile isn't destroyed by a tornado/hurricane, etc?
Flash, do you have one?

Do I have a hurricane or a stockpile :) Yes to both!

I grew up in California and was in the Loma Prieta earthquake of 1987, I've been near several small tornados (one touched down a block from us this summer), and two hurricanes. DH has had to coordinate the evacuation for a major hurricane. And we lose electricity several times a month in the summer with storms.

I keep one plastic container/bin in the garage, clearly labeled POWER OUT, with candles, matches, a lighter, handi-wipes and flushable wipes in a Ziploc (we lose running water when the power goes out, so no flushing and no washing. and the wipes don't dry out inside the Ziploc), disinfecting wipes, two battery powered lanterns, spare batteries, two flashlights, and a wall phone (cordless phones don't work in power outages, and cell phones may or may not). It's always in plain site and accessible, and can be pulled out and used, or tossed into the car, immediately.

One case of bottled water in the garage, and the rest in the basement. The basement is cooler, and things keep better there, but if we flood or need it quickly, the garage is a backup.

Food that is canned or pouched can be salvaged after a flood...if you need to remove the labels, use a sharpie or permanent marker to label the can.

I used to travel for work quite a bit, and I always had a travel bag pre-packed, so I keep it up.

[ShoppingCartDiva]

I live about 2 hours (I think) inland in North Carolina (1/2 hour east of Raleigh). Does anyone who lives in the area have any experience with this? I am from the midwest, so used to tornadoes, but have no idea what to expect if a hurricane popped up. Can it really affect me this far in?