How-To

Create an Emergency Kit for your Family

Be Prepared!

True or not, it certainly seems there are more natural disasters today than ever before. Torrential rains, hurricanes, flooding, tornadoes, and snow storms along the eastern seaboard seem to make headlines every year. If one of these struck in your neighborhood, would you be prepared? Do you have everything you need in case of a fire, flood, earthquake, tropical storm or other emergency?

The Boy Scouts aren't the only ones preaching the idea of being prepared. The Red Cross, the federal government, and your local emergency officials all suggest you prepare a survival kit for you and your family and stow it in a safe, dry place. So what should go inside your kit?

Preparing an Emergency Kit

Survival experts will tell you there is not one perfect emergency kit. Your kit should be tailored to the personal needs of you and your family, particularly any medical needs. Aside from prescription medications, everything you need for your kit can be purchased at a sporting goods, discount, drug or grocery store.

Here are a few things you should keep in mind when preparing your kit:

1. All items should be packed inside individual, sealable plastic baggies to keep them dry.

2. If the medications that you take have a shelf life, always keep the newest medication in the kit. As you finish your medication, use the one in your kit and replace it with new medication.

3. Inventory and repack each kit quarterly. Make seasonal adjustments and try to keep the kit small and light.

4. Pack supplies in backpacks and include enough for three days for each adult and child.

5. Do not include weapons, toxic chemicals, or controlled drugs (unless prescribed by a physician.)

6. It is always a good idea to pack an additional emergency kit of first aid supplies, flashlight, water and such and keep it in the truck of your car, just in case.

Your kit should also include:

Flashlight
Flashlight with extra batteries, to find your way if the power is out. Until you are certain that there are no gas leaks, do not use candles or any other open flame for emergency lighting.

Battery-powered radio
Battery-powered radio to provide news about the emergency that may change rapidly as events unfold. You also will be concerned about family and friends in the area and radio reports will give information about the areas most affected. Also keep extra batteries. Or use a hand-cranked radio, which is cheaper than a battery-powered one; some even feature built-in flashlights and chargers for cell phones.

Plastic sheeting and duct tape
Plastic sheeting and duct tape for sheltering-in-place verses evacuation.

Food
Your kit should include enough non-perishable food to sustain you (and your family) for at least three days (three meals per day). Choose foods that require no refrigeration, preparation or cooking, and little or no water such as ready-to-eat canned meals, meats, fruits, and vegetables; canned juices; and high-energy foods such as granola bars, protein bars, etc.

Water

Keep at least one gallon of water per person available, or more if you are on medications that require water or that increase thirst. Store water in plastic containers such as soft drink bottles. Avoid using containers that will decompose or break, such as milk cartons or glass bottles. Rotate your water every few months by using it to water your plants and then refilling with fresh water.

First Aid Supply Kit
First Aid Supply Kit, as recommended by the Red Cross, a first aid kit at a minimum should include: absorbent compress 5X9" dressing, assorted sizes of adhesive cloth tape (5 yards/17quot;), antibiotic ointment packets, antiseptic wipes, packets of aspirin, non-latex gloves scissors, roller bandage 3", sterile gauze pads and first aid instructions in a booklet.

Additional tools and supplies
Paper plates and cups, plastic utensils, non-electric can opener, personal hygiene items including a toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, brush, soap, contact lens supplies, and feminine supplies, plastic garbage bags and ties (for personal sanitation uses), at least one complete change of clothing and footwear, including a long—sleeved shirt and long pants, as well as closed-toed shoes or boots. If you wear glasses, keep an extra pair in your kit. You may also want to keep some cash and a credit card in your kit.

Click here for a Red Cross checklist that can be downloaded. The Red Cross also sells kits. For more information, check out their online store at www.redcross.org. The online store at www.lifesecure.com sells many different emergency kits for home and office. Click here for fascinating tips from a wilderness EMT.

Admittedly, no one likes thinking about disasters. But by preparing well you can create peace of mind. Consider it like your other insurance policies—something you will never actually need but are glad to know you have, just in case.