Last week we talked corded phones for their usefulness during power outages (and their general, overall cuteness). You all brought up great ideas for what you should keep stashed in case of emergencies, like Sharon, who keeps a battery-powered weather radio or Holly, who keeps everything from water to flashlights to full meals.
Courtesy of Emergency Supplies Blog
No matter how safe you may feel in your neighborhood, you can never predict when disaster will strike. It’s vital to have both an emergency kit and a plan, and to be sure you and all your family members — even children — know how to use the items in the kit and understand your family’s disaster plan.
What you keep in that kit may differ a little depending on your family’s specific needs — like extra medications or supplies for common weather emergencies in your area — but here are several items the most basic emergency kit should have:
- Bottled water
- At least 3 days worth of food
- First-aid kit
- Glowsticks AND Flashlights (don’t forget batteries!)
- Blankets
- Battery-powered radio
- Emergency contact info
- Copies of important documents
- Change of clothes
- Extra set of car and house keys
- Spare set of contacts/glasses (I would be doomed without mine)
- Paper and pen
Make sure to store your kit in a safe place where it won’t get damaged, but that it’s not so out-of-sight that you can actually get to it if there is a real emergency. A good idea is to establish an escape route, then put your supplies somewhere along that path. It also never hurts to keep a separate stock of supplies in your vehicle. Remember, when it comes to you and your family, you’re always better off safe than sorry!
For more advice on emergency-preparedness see: Preparing a Disaster Plan
And for more on surviving homeownership:
Lazy Homeowners Rejoice! Home Maintenance Made Easy
Every home should have an emergency kit. Just plain smart.
This was a good blog and everyone should take notice of it for emergencies.
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Don't forget can opener.
I store the NEW batteries in my items in the device, such as the flashlight or battery operated candles and put one in upside down… This saves time and stress. You know you have what you need. Plus I have a safe that has is in a central area and is portable. It contains vital paperwork, ID’s, etc. It can go out the door for evacuation or in the basement for emergency