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Home Preparedness

Home Preparedness
Is Your Household Prepared?
In case of disaster you should have supplies to survive three or more days without outside assistance. You should put together your basic supply kit now, because in case of a disaster you may not have time to gather or shop for items.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency recommends having: One gallon of water per person per day for at least three days; A three day supply of nonperishable food; Hand cranked or battery powered radio and an NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both; Flashlight and extra batteries; Whistle in case you need to signal for help; Dust masks, plastic sheeting, and duct tape to shelter in place if air is contaminated; Moist towelettes, garbage bags, plastic ties, and hand sanitizer for personal sanitation; Wrench to turn off utilities if necessary; Manual can opener; Basic first aid kit; And, local maps. If you have pets that are sensitive to temperature extremes, how will you keep them safe if utilities are interrupted?

Your kit should reflect the needs of your household. For example you might need to include prescription medicines and glasses, baby food and diapers, feminine and personal hygiene items, pet food and extra water. It should also reflect the time of year. For example include sleeping bags or warm blankets when the weather is colder, and insect repellant in warmer times. Be sure to include sunscreen, sun glasses, lip balm, rain gear, and change of clothes. Household chlorine bleach is useful to disinfect surfaces (nine parts water to one part bleach) and to treat water (sixteen drops bleach per gallon of water). Do not use scented, color safe or bleaches with added cleansers.

You should have important family documents like insurance policies, identification, and bank account records in a waterproof portable container. You will want some cash or traveler’s checks and change. You will need paper and pencil, mess kits for food, and books, games, puzzles or other activities for kids. A compass, fire extinguisher, and matches in waterproof container could be useful.
Make a plan with your family before a disaster. Where will you meet? What is a secondary meeting location in case the first is unavailable? How will you leave messages for each other? Remember that in disasters when cell phone capacity is overloaded, text messages have a better chance of getting through.

Planning ahead can save lives.
Posted on 10/29/2020