Emergency supplies

Quote The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Ready Campaign has outlined the top 10 items for a basic emergency supply kit: water, food, a radio, a flashlight, a first-aid kit, a whistle, moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties, a wrench or pliers, local maps and personal items. More information is available at www.ready.gov. -- Linda Shepard, Rochester Post, April 10, 2008, p. 17A

Supply checklist

Consider including the following in your emergency supply kit:

• water (enough for 3 days)
• food (ready to eat, won't spoil, enough for 3 days)
• radio (battery powered)
• flashlight
• extra batteries for the radio and flashlight (another option is the new, wind-up appliances)
• first-aid kit
  • aspirin, other painkillers
  • sprain, wrap bandages
  • 4" square bandages and tape
  • antibiotic cream
  • soap
  • other??
• whistle or air horn
• moist towelettes
• garbage bags and plastic ties
• wrench or pliers
• local maps
• at least one change of clothes per person
• at least one blanket or sleeping bag per person (consider including an emergency "space" blanket too)
• key family documents in water proof container (might want to have extra copies in a ziploc bag with the emergency supplies)

Also include something to provide comfort, like a stuffed animal for a child or a game for amusement, especially during a bad weather season, when you might be in the basement or shelter for awhile.

Special needs

Are there any special things that people in the home will need?

• diapers for infants
• prescription medicines

  especially any medication that might be needed during a stressful event, like an asthma inhaler or heart medication

Other things to have handy

• phone numbers

Related

• safety
• batteries