September is Emergency Preparedness Month. What should you do to prepare for an emergency when you need to stay in your own home? What do you need in case you are without electricity or other utilities for a few days? Creating an emergency kit can help to provide your family food, water and supplies in case you need to shelter in place for a few days. Here are some tips for creating your family emergency kit. Remember when creating your kit you should aim to provide for your family for 72 hours:
1. Water -- Have one gallon of water per person and family pet per day (minimum of 3 per family member).
2. Food -- You won't need to stock up on canned goods if you regularly maintain a well stocked refrigerator. On Day 1 of a power outage, you can cook and eat the food in your refrigerator. On Day 2 you can cook and eat from the food in your freezer. Try to avoid opening the freezer if you do not have power until you need to.
3. Communication -- If you have a land line phone, make sure you have a phone that plugs directly into the phone line and does not require electricity to make calls. If you are a cell phone only family, look for a hand crank or solar charging options at local electronic stores.
4. First Aid & Sanitation -- Make sure you have basic first aid supplies such as band aids, disinfectants, gauze and pain relievers on hand in a First Aid kit. You may want to consider taking a basic First Aid class from your local Red Cross. Also, a supply of wet wipes can come in handy to help keep hands and bodies clean.
5. Light -- Look for glow sticks or kerosene lanterns. Be sure to always follow safety precautions when using kerosene. Check online or a your local camping store for either solar or hand crank lighting options.
6. Other -- You may want to also consider stashing cash in small denominations. Check with your doctor or children's pediatrician about obtaining extra doses of important medications for family members. Consider purchasing a tent to have on hand in case your home becomes unsafe.
Having a kit prepared and a plan in place for you and your family can make emergency situations seem a bit less daunting. These suggestions are just the basics to get your kit started. For more information about emergency preparedness check out your local Red Cross or visit the FEMA website.
2012 Original Work
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