Power Went Out—Emergency Kits for the Home

September 13, 1:51 AMHome and Living ExaminerAndrea Campbell

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When Hurricane Gustav ripped through the gulf coast just recently, I can’t say we suffered anything similar to the folks south of us, but here in Arkansas we did receive four days of constant rain and a powe
outage for 72 hours. And three days-plus without power is a drag. Living by candlelight, with not much better light sources during the day due to gray skies, it gave me a lot of forced time with which to think: what do you need for emergencies and what should you have on hand?

I did some preliminary checking and found some great information. One of the most helpful is the Red Cross checklist (see links below). And I also located several companies that sell emergency kits for a variety of situations, venues, and numbers of people. We should all have some basic supplies on hand and experts suggest enough to survive for at least three days if an emergency occurs.

You can easily compile your own kit (although one company has a kit that can be packed into a makeshift toilet)! Just add certain supplies to your regular shopping list and within a few weeks, you should be able to duplicate—and better—the supplies according to your own family’s special needs. You might even want to make up packages for different venues, have one for the house, one for your car, one where you work, or put one in a locker somewhere; food for thought.

Here are some suggestions for a Basic Emergency Supply Kit:

• Water: for drinks and sanitation, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days
• Food: a three-day supply (or more) of non-perishable food (read this as canned or with preservatives that don’t require refrigeration)
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio: and a NOAA Weather Radio (http://www.noaa.gov/) with tone alert (include extra batteries for both)
• Flashlight: and extra batteries (there is also a hand crank flashlight on the market)
• First aid kit
• Whistle: to signal for help
• Dust mask: to help filter contaminated air
• Plastic sheeting and duct tape: for a makeshift shelter or as protection against the elements
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags, and plastic ties: for personal sanitation
• Wrench or pliers: to turn off utilities
• Can opener: for food and other tools such as a Swiss army knife, etc.
• Local maps

I think it’s probably a good idea to go beyond the basics and think one step further in the process. For example: at home, I have a supply of candles, a few hurricane lamps that burn oil, matches in a ziplock bag, an extra watch, id. and prescriptions.
 

Additional Items to Consider Adding to an Emergency Supply Kit:

•  Glasses: both prescription and sunglasses
•  Infant formula and diapers
•  Pet food and extra water for your pet
•  Important family documents: copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container (there is an Emergency Financial First Aid Kit developed by Operation Hope, FEMA and Citizen Corps to help you organize your information)
•  Cash or traveler's checks and change
•  Emergency first aid book or information from www.ready.gov
•  Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person. (I suggest you consider having wool socks, which go a long way to helping keep feet dry and warm)
•  Complete change of clothing including a long sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes (include sweaters etc. for colder climates)
•  Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper: When diluted nine parts water to one part bleach, bleach can be used as a disinfectant. Or in an emergency, you can use it to treat water by using 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water. Do not use scented, color safe or bleaches with added cleaners.
•  Fire Extinguisher
•  Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
•  Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils, paper towels
•  Paper and pencils, including books, games, puzzles or other activities for children

You can also buy emergency kits for other threatening situations such as an emergency escape ladders for threats of fire.

Continue to check the links listed below for ideas on other items to stock, storage considerations, how and when to replenish items, notes on water treatment and more.

The more you study, the more you may be able to keep your family safe, dry, and calm during an emergency situation.

http://www.ready.gov/america/getakit/checklist.html

http://www.redcross.org/services/prepare/0,1082,0_91_,00.html

http://www.kits4disastersurvival.com/emergencyhomekits

http://www.quakekare.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=3