In the wake of the Haiti earthquake disaster, it prompted me to write an article about being prepared for natural disasters. Even unnatural for that matter. We usually never know when a disaster will strike, and if we can somehow foresee it coming (tornado, hurricane, fire), we never had a complete idea on how bad it’s going to be and how long it will last. Taking some preventative measures can really help in the event that there is some unforseen emergency where you will need supplies, food and money. You do not need to have an excessive amount of items, but you want to make sure you have enough to get you through the worst first few days.
Here are some pointers on what to prepare in the case of an emergency:
- For your disaster supply kit, you should have enough essential water, non perishable food and supplies to last for a minimum of three days. The more days you prepare for, the better. This kit should be in an easily accessible and designated area in case you have to evacuate your home quickly. Ensure everyone in the home knows where the kit is kept.
- In addition to food and water, you should set aside some items for sheltering. Something that will last for about one to two weeks.
- Set aside some clothing determined by your climate for each member of the family. If you live in a colder climate pack warmer clothes. I believe you should have at least 2 changes of clothing available. One set for warmer weather and 1 set for colder weather such as long pants, a sweater, socks, shoes, a jacket, hats, gloves and mittens. You do not have to spend a lot of money on these items. You can find this type of clothing at any thrifty store, as you will not be too concerned about your appearance as much as you are its usefulness. Also, store a few blankets and some sleeping bags for warmth and/or bedding.
Here are some of the other basic items you should have on hand:
- Battery powered flashlight & radio – extra batteries as well
- First Aid Kit
- Matches
- Cooking Utensils (aquire at the dollar store or thrift store)
- If possible, have documentation available such as ID’s, passports, VISAS, anything that you will need to prove who you are.
- Money
- Medication – prescribed medication, hearing aids
- Infants/Babies – forumla, diapers, baby bottles, blankest
Think about the necessities your family will need on a daily basis. As I said, you do not need to spend a lot of money on these items. You can find a lot of them at the dollar store or any thrifty store. You do not need to buy all the items at one time, but make sure you set a deadline for when to complete your preparation. Buy some storage boxes to store all the items in such as plastic storage boxes that are deep and sturdy. Don’t overpack anything as you do not want it to be too heavy to carry. If need be, buy 2 boxes.
