Hurricane Emergency Kit & Supplies
1. Fill up the bathtub and have a “bucket” ready to use to flush the toilets should the electricity get shut down or the water go off.
2. Cash – credit cards and checks will be useless during a disaster ATM will not be working
3. Make sure to have an old fashioned “land line” phone. The current digital phones require electricity, they will not work. Most times a good old fashioned phone and land line works
4. Peanut butter, crackers and soup — if all else fails you can eat that — Don’t waste money on food you know your family will not choose to eat.
Make sure you pick items with higher protein values and low salt.
5. Water… Lots of water to drink and use to brush your teeth, etc.
6. All your important papers in plastic gallon ziplock bags — Keep Birth Certificates, SS cards & Passports w/current bank statements and House Insurance information.
Keep them in a separate area so they can be taken with you, if you have to evacuate.
7. Candles and/or a couple of hurricane lamps. Flashlights AND batteries — An AM/FM Radio and batteries (one that includes a NOAA Radio is best)
8. If there is a possibility of the electricity going out, do not open the refrigerator unless you have to. A couple days ahead you can freeze gallon jugs of water.
Use a cooler to keep people from going in and out of the freezer or refrigerator, so you will not loose the bulk of all your food supplies.
Move items you just need to keep “Chilled” to the coolers and items that you will be able to use up within 12 hours.
9. PACK a “Go” Bag and/or a Grab & Go Kit Emergency Supplies and Important Info Bag.
“Go” Bag is all our stuff we can’t live without for a week.
You would be surprised what you can forget if you wait.
10. IF YOU LEAVE YOUR HOME, be sure to call your next of kin or relatives or leave them a note. Just in case they come looking for you they can find you if you cannot get back.
Advise from the professionals/ this come from our good friend Kay at HISG
Preparing for Disasters: Having a Plan is Essential
See the HISG website pages for all kinds of information and specifics:
http://hisg.org/training-and-models/articles/supplies-home/
or http://ow.ly/eOXI8
• Grab & Go Kit — Make sure you have the following items in a specific bag ready to go:
1. First aid kit, including prescription medications, dentures, extra eyeglasses, and hearing aid batteries.
2. Disaster Supplies Kit basics and Evacuation Supplies Kit. (Special Papers and Items you cannot forget – Birth Certificates & Important Papers, etc)
(See Items 5 and 6 for detailed information about emergency kits and supplies)
3. A change of clothes and a sleeping bag or bedroll and pillow for each household member.
4. Car keys and keys to the place you may be going.
Make sure everyone in the family has the friend’s or relative’s home number or address — this should be a pre-designated meeting places
Preparing a “Go” Bag
As we reinforced in our last Article, it may become necessary to evacuate from your home immediately. In other words, “sheltering in place” may not be a viable option. In these types of scenarios, it might be necessary to survive away from your home for up to 72 hours or longer without assistance. Being prepared for these kinds of immediate evacuations may mean the difference between life and death.
Therefore, it is necessary that you have everything you need to survive for at least 72 hours in a quickly accessible bag that can be brought with you anywhere. Get a sturdy backpack (CORDURA is a preferred fabric- look for double stitching and durable zippers).
Add the following (as your situation may dictate):
• First Aid Kit – a decent well-stocked kit, including a couple of weeks’ supply of any prescription medications you need. Also include pharmaceutical grade crazy (skin) glue.
• Sewing Kit. Include in this non-waxed floss and a U-shaped leather needle.
• Female Hygiene Pads – these absorb blood – can be used as a bandage if needed and also are sanitary product items if needed.
• Cash – credit cards and checks will be useless during a disaster
• Clothing – cotton is useless once it gets wet (often from sweat). Consider wool
• Blankets – to keep you warm. Consider a Mylar emergency blanket, which is lightweight and packs up small.
• Crank style Flashlight and snap lights such as glow-sticks.
• Whistle – good for locating people in a crowd, at night, or in low visibility conditions. Devise an easy-to-remember signal with family members and loved ones, so that they can recognize your whistle and make their way toward you. Add a lanyard or chain so it’s always with you.
• Crank style weather / AM-FM Radio.
• Food – remember previous article.
• Water – to drink
• Means to purify water (iodine, chlorine, filter, UV light source etc.)
• Goggles – protect your eyes! Best if heavy-duty “soft side” vinyl with ventilation, fogless lenses, and adjustable strap.
• Lighter and matches – don’t use matches (waterproof cases)
• Other Fire starting aids, such as a magnifying glass, magnesium “fire starters”, info to build primitive fire starting devices, similar devices as the need arises. Cotton balls soaked in petroleum jelly are very useful.
• Rope – has endless uses, choose various sizes (rubber bands, too)
• Crow Bar- in case the emergency has caused your path to be blocked.
• Big trash Bags – poncho, cut open to make a tent
• Multi-Use knife/tool.
• Signal Mirror and Flares
• Duct tape
• Plastic sheeting
• Copies of passport, driver’s license, insurance, and any other important documents
• Maps and GPS/Compass
• Toiletries.
• Identification
• Keep a note pad and a pen in case you need to leave a note for family to let them know where you went or where to meet.
• At least one wallet size photo of your immediate family, children, or pets. This is crucial in case you get separated and need to enlist the help of others to find your loved ones.
• Gel antibacterial hand wash (non rinse) available at any pharmacy and most supermarkets and convenience stores, for cleaning hands and even wounds.
• A Comfortable sturdy pair of shoes and a pair of socks.
• A pair of leather work gloves.