Be prepared for Emergency

Emergency - things to consider to be prepared

It sure seems that the weather conditions around the world have been strange.  With earthquakes & Tsunamsis in Japan, the tornado outbreak in Mississippi and Alabama - life can change in a second.  Hard to think about that.  We live in the tornado alley - but we realize that a tornado normally isn't on the ground for a long eriod of time.  Those in Alabama - were so different.  Today - we have so many ways to be informed of severe weather. We have the overhead warning systems & the NOAA Weather radios - that are awesome! Thank God we have those systems in place! 

Have you ever considered being prepared for an emergency?  Having things available to help you get thru a few days if needed?  We all have experienced electricity outages - especially if you have ever lived thru an ice storm. You understand how important it is.  Several years ago in one January - here in Kansas City, we had a horrible ice storm that knocked out power for a week for some.  I found that the things we had on hand - made those days much more bearable. So I thought i would share with you some of those things.  Plus I've read several articles over the last few months discussing how to be better prepared.  Infact, several of my online list serves - there has been this discussion.  It's been a rude awakening of how many really haven't had to think about this in the past.  The following list comes from ready.gov & other sources. 

Recommended Items to Include in a Basic Emergency Supply Kit:

• 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 plus a stick up battery powered light.
• 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
• household bleach, rain gear, small plastic bowls
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
• Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food)
• Cell phone with chargers, inverter & solar charger etc 
• Candles with a lighter or matches
• extra blankets & pillows
• battery powered stick up lights.  Great for emergency use!
• Those glow sticks that are used during Halloween. Some even have flashlights on them.
• have some cash - potentially might not be able to get to ATM's, internet could be unavailable for the area etc
• some personal hygiene products: soap, diapers, baby wipes, etc.  might consider having a backpacked packed for each member of the family
• medications for you and your family normally takes
• if have pets:  have lease, collar, bowls, some food in ziplock bag, id tags
• a plan - if you are seperated from family - where to meet

What about your personal documents?   Have you ever thought about getting them scanned and keeping them on a external hard drive.  It might be something to consider for "one of those days" projects.  External hard drives have come down in price over the last year or so that it's so affordable.  Items to consider scanning, birth certificates, medical records, credit card info, passports, medications, proof of address, insurance paperwork, photos of the interior of the home.

Consider having a weather radio.  We can't see weather conditions at night.  So it could give you the extra time to help you stay safe!

Don't procrastinate - it's important you can help your loved ones and have a plan together. We hope you never have to use them!!