With all the hurricane disasters happening, here are a few helpful hints to prepare yourself for in case emergencies arise...

Each household should have its own personal emergency kit. Here are some ideas:

• WATER - store cases of distilled water in gallon jugs in basement or garage. Water purification tablets can also be bought from sporting goods stores Two tablets usually purify a quart of water.
• ICE- keep bags in freezer and replace occasionally for freshness. Large ice blocks can be made by filling plastic containers and storing in freezers.
• PLASTIC COOLERS – for storing cooked food and other perishables, including medicines.
• BATTERIES - have a large supply of rechargeable batteries and regular batteries to use around the house.
• TRANSISTOR RADIOS – keep track of news of emergency updates.
• FLASHLIGHTS AND LANTERNS – lanterns that burn propane or butane are better than battery powered units. Also light sticks that burn for about 12 hours is another good idea. Solar powered lanterns and radios are also a good idea.
• COOKING APPLIANCES - food can be kept longer if cooked. Purchase a small charcoal fired grill if you don’t have a propane fueled grill.
• MATCHES AND CANDLES – keep them dry by storing in plastic or vacuum sealed bags.
• DRIED FOOD – beef or turkey jerky, dried fruits, energy bars, cereal bars, trail mix are some suggestions.
• FIRST AID KITS – include pain relievers, large bandages, basic first aid supplies such as alcohol, neosporine, cotton bandages, bandages of all sizes, scissors, inhalers, prescription medicines, anything based on needs of your family.
• LARGE PLASTIC STORAGE BINS – with locking tops are perfect for storing supplies in utility rooms, garages, basements. Store them high on shelves so they’ll stay dry during flooding.
• VACUUM FOOD SEALER – can protect important items, including matches, medicines and cell phones along with dried foods.
• GASOLINE POWERED GENERATOR- can supply power to a small refrigerator or recharge a cell phone.
• COPIES OF YOUR IMPORTANT PAPERS – make copies of drivers licenses, social security cards, ATM cards, credit cards and any other valuable papers that will be needed if your house is damaged by flood or fire. Have these also in plastic air tight bags in safe place that you can get to readily.

Here are websites that offer advice for what to do in emergencies:
The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Web site (www.fema.gov) has dozens of brochures on how to prepare for everything from flooding to fire. To read an emergency preparedness guide, go to the web site and click on “Education and Training” at the top of the page.

Also, www.AceHardware.com has information on creating a family disaster plan.

It’s not nice to think about but it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Related Links:

Federal Emergency Management

Ace Hardware's Natural Disaster Preparedness Guide