Spring is the time of year when we start to think about severe weather and worry about what we would need to do in case of a tornado or other severe weather issues. Do you have an emergency kit in your house that would keep you going until emergency services could get to you or until utility services would be operational again? Read about preparation details here.
What do you need to keep in an emergency kit? FEMA recommends the following:
Consider having 2 kits: one for everything you’d need in order to stay where you are and make it on your own for a period of time, such as a couple of days worth of clothing, decent walking shoes, medications etc.
The other should be a lightweight, smaller version you can take with you if you have to leave your home.
Water – one gallon of water per person per day for at least 3 days for drinking and sanitation;
Food, at least a 3-day supply of non-perishable food and a can opener if kit contains canned food;
Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both;
Flashlight and extra batteries;
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;
Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation;
Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities;
Local maps;
Pet food, extra water and supplies for your pet or service animal;
Copy of prescriptions, copy of ID and other important documents.
Emergency kits should be checked at least twice a year, so try to co-ordinate that with Daylight Savings Time changes. Once you have a kit put together, it is easy to keep it up to date.