Key Takeaways
Although she was never a Boy Scout , Lisa Andrews experience the meaning of the group ’s motto " be prepared . " She has to be . She live in Florida during hurricane season . Andrews , who work at a local aesculapian center in Delray , travels the area talking to people to check that they ’re prepared for the worst Mother Nature has to put up . Not only does she address of a tempest ’s potential hazards , but she also emphasizes that each household train a violent storm natural selection kit [ source : DiPino ] .
seduce sure there are decent supplies of water , nonperishable foods , battery and medicines can make a tempest a bit easier to weather , Andrews says [ source : DiPino ] . While the itinerary of hurricanes and nor’easters can be predicted , other storms often blow up out of nowhere , catch masses by surprise . In no time , you’re able to be out of power , out of food and out of luck . That ’s why a storm preparedness kit is essential .
When Hurricane Irene took aim at New England in 2011 , I went into subsister mode . I made sure I had enough body of water for drinking and flushing the toilet . I made certain my grille worked , and that we had plenty of methamphetamine hydrochloride and coolers quick to go . I had candle , matches , dog-iron solid food and biscuits , quat food for thought and toilet paper . I even go away out and buy a chain meet before the storm shoot .
What I did n’t have was an emergency storm outfit . I did n’t have any bombardment for the 10 flashlights I apparently roll up over the years , nor did I have enough tinned food . Luckily , the power never live out in my neighbourhood , although the Ernst Boris Chain saw came in handy . expert say a tempest outfit is essential because you might call for to survive on your own in an emergency . Your accelerator , water , sewage discourse or telephone service might not work after a tempest [ generator : FEMA ] .
That ’s why you need to be prepared . Experts say you should have enough food for thought , water and other supplies for at least 72 hours . Moreover , you should keep your natural selection kit in a safe place that is coolheaded and ironical . And if you already have a outfit , make certain it ’s up - to - date [ source : FEMA ] .
If you ’re making a kit , we ’ll tell you the 10 indispensable items you need to include in it next .
10: Water
Water is in all likelihood the most important chemical element of any survival kit , and the hard to store . After a storm , you might not have a drop cloth ofwater to drink . Your regular source of drinking pee could be compromised because of pollution . There might not be any electricity to run your well ’s water pump . When the pee is n’t flowing , there ’s nothing to drink , nothing to bathe in and nothing to flush toilets .
TheFederal Emergency Management Agency ( FEMA)recommends storing at least 1 Imperial gallon ( 3.8 liters ) of water per person per day for drinking and sanitisation design . Children and breast feeding mothers might need more . If you live where it ’s warm , have additional water on hand . Bottled water in it ’s original container is best , and do n’t open it unless you ’re going to use it . verify you put the bottles in a cool , dark blank space [ source : FEMA ] .
Be careful when storing your own tap weewee . check that the container you use are specifically design to hold water system . you could buy these container at a camping supply store . Wash each container with dishwashing grievous bodily harm and rinse well before filling them up . If you ’re going to use 2 - l charge plate washing soda bottle , make certain you disinfect the bottle with a teaspoon of non - sweet-smelling atomic number 17 bleach merge with a quart of water . Rinse the bottle out well . close up the top tightly with the bottleful ’s original ceiling [ source : FEMA ] .
9: Food
tinned vegetables and soup , boxed cereal grass , peanut butter , crackers and other nonperishable food should be part of your kit . Once again , the expert say memory board at least a three - daytime supply . Make certain that the food in your emergency kit are foods your family , especially children , will eat . Do n’t pack salty collation , or other foods that will make you thirsty . Also , ensure you have a manual of arms can opener [ origin : FEMA ] .
All foods should be in covered container . preparation and eating utensil should be clean . Throw away any food that is exposed to contaminatedflood water . If it smells , swell or looks rancid , throw the food out . Do n’t permit drivel pile up indoors .
preparation during an emergency is an graphics form . check that you fire up the charcoal grills and gas encampment stoves outside . Some commercially give the axe food can be eaten cold , powerful out of the can . If you need to wake the solid food inside the can , make certain you get rid of the recording label , then rinse the outside of the can with one partbleachto 10 parts urine . Oh , yeah , start the can before heating [ source : FEMA ] .
8: Battery-powered or Hand-cranked Radio
It fathom so last century . But once the power move out , there will be relatively few ways to recharge youriPads , jail cell phones , tablets , PC , laptopsand other electronic devices . That ’s why having a portable radio set – you know , the electronic transistor form – is essential . keep abreast of vital storm warnings , news and other selective information is critical during an exigency . During a storm emergency , the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ( NOAA ) will circulate weather condition and other information on its nationwide meshing of radiocommunication stations [ source : NOAA ] .
7: First Aid Kit
Every storm selection outfit should include first aid supplies to treat minor accidental injury . The outfit should contain bandages , antibiotic ointments , sunburn ointments and other supplies . If you take prescription drug medicine on a daily basis , make trusted you have enough in type you ca n’t carry to the drug store . Moreover , ensure you also admit enough medical supply , such as catheter and syringes . And do n’t block to stock up on nonprescription drugs , such as aspirin and anti - diarrhea medication [ author : FEMA ] .
6: Lighting
If thepower go out , you ’ll require to see at nighttime . That ’s whyflashlightsand camp light source are essential . Some companies even make a combining electricity / light / wireless that seems to be ready to hand when the electricity is out . These portable units are equipped with a atmospheric condition radio , detachable flashlight and a charge port that can power small electronics , such as portable cell phones . These devices come with a 12 - V rechargeable stamp battery [ source : Amazon ] . wax light and dry equal are also of the essence , just be careful using them .
5: Sleeping Bags/Blankets
Each someone should have a warm mantle . If you endure in acolder mood , then it ’s important to have additional bedding . Clothing should also be part of your menage storm emergency . check that you have a ended change of clothing for each mortal , which includes a long - arm shirt , long bloomers , jacket and authentic shoes . Once again , if you populate where it ’s colder , stash away extra clothing including hat and gloves . Also ensure everyone has a pillow , extra underwear and socks [ source : FEMA ] .
4: Sanitary Items
Toothpaste , potty newspaper , diaper , soap and other sanitary item should also be on your pinch tempest leaning . Some item might not seem crucial until you run out of them , such as contact lens solution , denture cream and womanly supply . Stick everything in a waterproof container [ source : My Great Home ] .
3: Utensils
You do n’t want to be eating bean out of a can with your fingers . Clean utensils and quite a little outfit will make life sentence a little bit loose after astorm roll through . To clean utensils , and any other surfaces , keep a bottle ofchlorine bleachand a music dropper in your outfit . By thin one part blanching agent with nine parts water , you will make a stark antimicrobic [ reference : FEMA ] .
2: Games and Other Activities
It ’s every parent ’s incubus . There ’s no index . That means there ’s no boob tube , novideo game , no succus to charge up junior ’s iPod . What ’s a parent to do when the kid are bored ? No emergency kit would be unadulterated , especially if you have tiddler , without panel games , puzzles , discolour book and other activity . Listen , it ’s hard enough make through a violent storm without a gaggle of kids clamoring at your heels . These point will make the go away a little less tough . Also , ensure you have pencils , theme and pen uncommitted .
1: Cash
In the aftermath of a storm , banks might not be open and ATMS might be shutter . One Word of God , well really four words : cash or traveler ’s checks . Before a storm hit , go to the depository financial institution orATM and call in money . After a tempest , some businesses might reopen even though they do n’t have any power . Without power , the clerk is n’t endure to be able to purloin your debit or reference cards . If you take to buy extra nutrient , fuel , or other item , having John Cash in your pocket is the only way you could transact clientele .
Frequently Asked Questions
Lots More Information
This might seem like a lot of thing to put in your kit . Most everything here you likely already have , if not , you need to fix . If you have intercourse a storm is brewing , gather all these items in a ironic and nerveless place . Place them in water - tight containers that you may easily access .
