While a zombie apocalypse is unlikely, there are plenty of truly frightening natural disaster events such as tornadoes, hurricanes, blizzards or earthquakes that are not only plausible, but possible. The idea of being stranded in your own home, potentially without power, food or drink, access to emergency services, or access to stores and gas stations is unfathomable for many people. We are a nation surrounded by endless creature comforts every day, every hour.
These trying times can turn tough fast if you don’t have a plan in place. Preparing for the unexpected can be a comforting endeavor. Ensuring that your family has adequate supplies to get through the period of time following a catastrophic event is a proactive effort well spent.
Devising an emergency plan and stockpiling necessary resources that will see you through several days of limited access to consumer goods, services and mobility may seem unnecessary and radical to some, but think Hurricane Katrina.
Imagine every store, gas station, utility company and even many municipal facilities shut down indefinitely while an entire region recovers from devastating weather consequences. Ask anybody who has “weathered the storm,” and he or she will vouch for the benefits of a back-up plan.
Ready for Operation Preparation? Here’s a good starting point. Keep resources stocked in a safe place where they will remain dry and unaffected should your home be damaged or destroyed. Think about how you can transport these resources should you have to relocate for a period of time or indefinitely. Try to envision every potential obstacle, danger and challenge you may face.
If you live in a region where tornadoes are more likely, plan for that event first, but be prepared for others. Likewise, if you regularly face the threat of hurricanes or blizzards, prepare for those events and then others. If you have small children, elderly family members, family members with disabilities and/or pets, plan specifically for their needs to ensure that you leave no one without essential, life-sustaining needs.
Build your emergency preparedness kit carefully and thoughtfully and be sure to include these seven must-haves for every kit. Don’t hesitate to include additional supplies that you may deem necessary. Be thorough and work together as a family to plan for any future disasters.
Seven Must-Haves in the Event of a Natural Disaster
Many of these items may seem like no-brainers, but if you forget them or allow them to expire, you will be left in dire straits very quickly following a catastrophic event.
• Food and water supplies: Plan to have one gallon per person per day on hand and plan for several days -- a week if possible. Food needs to be easy to prepare or ready to eat and should not perish. (Think canned goods.) Be sure to keep a can opener and any other utensils needed to eat in your kit as well. Formula and baby food are essential if you have a baby or toddler who requires this type of sustenance.
• Health and safety supplies: Stock an extra first aid kit and stow it with your emergency items. Make sure it’s stocked with items such as bandages, antiseptic cleaner, hydrogen peroxide, rubbing alcohol, analgesics, pain relievers, tweezers and any other over-the-counter remedies you typically use in your household. If anyone takes prescriptions, keep a seven-day supply in the kit along, with any associated paperwork and necessary medical supplies, such as syringes for diabetics.
• Blankets: Keep emergency blankets wrapped in small, portable bundles so you can take them with you, should you need to relocate for a short or extended period of time. Keep them in a place where they will stay dry in the event of water leakage.
• Personal care items: Keep a stock of toothpaste, toothbrushes, soaps and any other desired personal items in the kit so that you can maintain personal hygiene if you’re relocated or your home is damaged or destroyed. Moist towelettes can be a temporary way to keep clean. If you have a baby or toddler, be sure to pack diapers and wipes.
• Electronic supplies: Flashlights with appropriate batteries on hand may prove invaluable if you lose power for any period of time. Keep a battery or solar-powered radio in your kit as well so you can keep up with news in the region if you lose other sources of communication. NOAA radio is an ideal way to maintain contact with weather and storm news before, during and after the natural disaster strikes. Keep cell phones close by and ready to pack into the kit and consider purchasing extra charges or solar chargers to keep stored at all times.
• Tools: Pack essential tools in the kit, such as a multipurpose tool, hammer, knives, axe and any other frequently used tools that may help with repairs or escape needs, should you become trapped in a damaged home. A wrench and/or pliers may be needed to turn off utilities if necessary.
• Additional supplies: Keep copies of personal information in your kit in case you become incapacitated and other people need to access such data. Your emergency contact information, health insurance cards, extra sets of keys and any other pertinent personal data may come in handy. Keep a map of the area and extra cash in the kit as well. Pack a whistle and flares to signal for help. Dust masks and plastic sheeting may be helpful after a tornado, earthquake or explosion to handle the debris in the air. Add garbage bags and twist ties.
This list is not exhaustive, and you may find that there are other items you need to include or eliminate some of those found on this list, based on your family's needs. Personalize your kit, but follow this list as a guideline to ensuring that you are completely prepared to survive any type of natural disaster and keep your family safe and nourished.
Consider working with neighbors to devise a neighborhood plan that will allow families to pool resources and check on elderly or disabled residents, should an emergency situation arise. Share ideas on how and where to stow emergency kits and gather ideas for your own kit by asking others what they keep on hand for such a situation. Working together as a community helps ensure the most positive outcome for everyone involved. Be prepared and be safe.