The news is littered with reports of flu pandemics, hurricanes, rampant wild fires, floods, electricity blackouts, and tornadoes. Even if it hasn’t happened to you personally, it is likely that you know someone whose life has been touched by unexpected disaster. While we must never live in fear, it is important to prepare for the worst even when we are hoping for the best. An Emergency Preparedness Kit is simply a collection of items designed to ensure the safety and health of you and your family in the event of a disaster which comprimises your food, shelter, or access to clean air and/or water.
To make these preparations easier, many sites are offering efficient kits that promise to keep your family healthy, safe, & fed for up to 3 days in the event of an emergency. Ready.gov offers comprehensive information and includes the following handy list that every family should have on hand:
- Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
- Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
- Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- First aid kit
- Whistle to signal for help
- Dust mask, to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
- Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
- Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
- Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food)
- Local maps
- Cell phone with chargers
While it may seem pessimistic to think about the possibility of your family living through an unlikely disaster, we must all at least be prepared. If you prepare, and nothing happens, the worst that could happen is you and your family have an extra stash of canned beans and corn to get you through next winter.
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