Monday, March 26, 2012
Be Prepared – Create an Emergency Kit You Can Grab and Go
In a disaster, you don’t want your children hungry, thirsty, and dirty because you didn’t think to pack an emergency kit. Of course, no one likes to think about it, but it’s really a simple thing to get a backpack ready for every family member. Then you know you’re prepared, even for the worst.
Keep one emergency kit in your car. You may be far from home when an emergency occurs and these items will become your lifeline if you’re stranded. Pack enough essential survival supplies to last 3-5 days. This amount is recommended because packing too much will make it impossible to carry, and you won’t have time to sort it at the last moment.
Here are items you should consider including in your emergency kits:
Identification and copies of important papers - Current family picture with names, contact numbers (designate someone far outside your area as your primary contact), immunization and health records, social security number, birth and marriage certificate, banking/credit card phone numbers, will, insurance policies, etc., also some extra cash in small bills and coins.
Tools - Matches or lighter, scissors, can opener, spoon, fork, pocketknife, duct tape, sewing kit, battery powered radio, flashlight, extra batteries, small cook stove, a pot, large sheet of plastic for shelter if you don’t have a tent, thin emergency blanket, and a small trowel for burying human waste.
Clothes - Long sleeve shirt, sweat pants, three pairs of underwear, two pairs of socks, jacket, poncho, and walking shoes tied to the outside of the pack.
Water - A gallon per person per day is recommended, but children can only carry 3-5 smaller bottles. Water pouches are available online for easier packing, however they can be punctured. Another option is using water purification tablets, although you’d need to find a water supply to use them.
Non-perishable food that requires no cooking and very little water - MREs (Meals Ready to Eat) are best because of long storage life. Check out camping supply stores or order online. Avoid foods that make you thirsty. If there are special dietary needs, including baby food, research online to find good suggestions. Nuts, dried fruit, and energy bars are okay, but you’ll have to remember to rotate them out, or they’ll be too stale to eat. Include comfort food like chocolate and if you’re used to a lot of caffeine, make sure you have some with you or you’re going to have a huge headache.
Medical supplies - Pack a week’s supply of prescriptions (put it on your calendar to rotate new ones into the kit every 6 months so they don’t expire). Also include a first aid kit - various sizes of adhesive bandages, ace wrap bandage, antibiotic ointment, pain relievers, anti-diarrhea medication, and laxatives.
Hygiene - Toothbrush and paste, chap stick, soap, hand sanitizer, deodorant, sunscreen, shampoo, comb, razor, flushable wipes, washcloth and towel.
Paper products - This includes toilet paper, paper towels (remove inner cardboard tube for easy packing), feminine products, and diapers. Add a deck of cards, small notebook and 4-5 crayons to keep kids busy.
Put things in Ziploc bags as there’s a real likelihood the packs will get wet. As you fill each backpack, create a spreadsheet. List items under each category and color code what needs to be rotated every 6 or 12 months. That way you don’t have to unpack everything – only that specific Ziploc bag.
In disaster situations, being prepared makes all the difference. Don’t forget that this March we’re offering an additional 10% off on all handyman services. Simplify has qualified handymen who can get your Silicon Valley house prepared for any emergency.
Call us for a complimentary consultation and we’ll be happy to talk about how we can help you be prepared.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment