It is common for disasters and emergencies to occur suddenly. If you have to evacuate quickly due to a hurricane, flood, or wildfire, it may not leave you with ample time to gather essential items for your family.
To ensure that you have what you need and to alleviate stress and uncertainty in a crisis, follow these tips to assemble an emergency kit for your family in advance.
Preparing your emergency kit
You can gradually add items to your emergency kit. Begin with the essentials, and consider adding extras at a later time.
It should be considered that certain children may require specific food, supplies, and information, while thinking in a sequential manner.
First, collect these items that should have been gathered.
Food and water
For a duration of three days, each person will require approximately one gallon of water daily.
Examples of non-perishable food items that do not require cooking include granola bars or specially dehydrated foods. It is advisable to purchase an additional 1 or 2 such items in advance for sampling purposes. This can assist in preventing children from succumbing to the temptation of consuming them prematurely, when there is no emergency. It is recommended to pack enough of these food items to last for a duration of 3 days.
Supplies are to be thought about in a step-by-step manner, without adding or removing information while keeping the same meaning.
It is recommended to discuss with your pediatrician the possibility of obtaining a two-week supply of medications, particularly prescription medications.
include adhesive bandages, antibiotic ointment, and elastic bandages.
Blankets are an item used for keeping warm and comfortable, typically made of a large piece of fabric or material.
Each person should have at least one complete change of clothes, including shoes.
If necessary, please bring diapers or baby wipes.
If you require pet food and supplies, they are available.
Duct tape is a tool commonly used for various purposes and has great versatility due to its strong adhesive properties. It is a multipurpose adhesive tape that is made from a cloth or scrim base material and coated with a layer of high-quality adhesive. The adhesive used in duct tape allows it to adhere firmly to a wide range of surfaces, making it useful for tasks such as binding, sealing, and repairing. Additionally, duct tape is known for its durability and resistance to water and weather conditions.
Pocket knife or multi-tool can be approached step by step by thinking.
The text below discusses the topic of a cell phone charger: The device responsible for powering up a cell phone is known as a cell phone charger.
Toilet paper and similar hygienic items.
Plastic bags/trash bags that can be sealed again.
If available, set up a weather/emergency broadcast radio that can be operated by hand-cranking. If a hand-crank version is not available, make sure to have an extra set of batteries for backup. Arrange the setup in a location where your family can easily hear the messages broadcasted by the radio.
should be rephrased step by step, without adding or removing any information.
Consider storing printed copies of key information in a water-resistant bag.
Cards for health insurance.
A list containing the names of all medications currently being taken by every family member, including the specific details regarding their strength and dosage.
Without adding or removing any information, the text could be rephrased as follows: Important medical records, including an emergency information form that was completed with the assistance of a pediatrician, and a list of allergies for every member of the family.
Contact information for your pediatrician as well as other doctors or health care providers.
To assist with family reunification in case of separation, it is important to have recent photographs of all family members, including pets. Additionally, it is recommended to have a photo that captures all members of the family together. These photos can also be shared with your out-of-area contact for extra safety.
You should include these 10 other items in your kit:
- Flashlight.
Extra batteries for the flashlight are also a good idea. If your power is out and you have no way to charge your phone, you might need to rely on a flashlight to get around at night.
- Whistle.
A whistle can help you signal for help if you are stranded and need search and rescue to hear you.
- Dust Mask
Depending on the emergency, you may need a mask to help protect you against contaminated air.
- Local Maps.
If you need to evacuated but have no power or access to the internet, you may need to rely on a paper map to find your way to safety.
- Manual Can Opener.
Your emergency kit is probably made up of canned food, which lasts for a long time. If you don’t have power, you’ll need a way to open these cans.
- Battery-powered or Hand Cranked Radio.
A radio will help you receive updates on the disaster and any known safety risks.
- Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children.
Disasters can be stressful. If you have fun games or activities that your children can do when the power is out, this can help them cope with the stress.
- First Aid Kit.
Conditions during and after a disaster can vary dramatically. You may need to provide immediate care to an injured family member.
- Supplies for your pet.
Your pet is a member of your family. You will want to have enough of their supplies to several days, as well as a favorite toy to comfort them.
- Wrench or pliers.
These tools can come in handy if you need to turn off utilities. Visit ready.gov/safety-skills to discover more valuable skills that can be useful in emergency situations.
In addition to having these supplies at home, you should also think about having a compact emergency kit either stored in your car or easily accessible in case you are forced to evacuate from your home and require a prompt departure.
After assembling your kit, make sure to keep it up-to-date by replacing expired items and reevaluating your needs annually.
What to keep in mind as you build your disaster emergency kit
When considering the steps, it is important to keep in mind that it may not be necessary to purchase many new items. Instead, you could already possess these items but they may not be consolidated in one location, readily available in case of a disaster. In case you do not have these items, simplification can be achieved by:
Begin by purchasing one or two additional cans of food during each shopping excursion and put them aside.
To ensure you maintain the same meaning, you can rephrase the text step by step as follows: “Check thrift or discount stores for non-perishable items and other supply items.”
When considering gifts for special occasions, it is advisable to include emergency supplies in your list of desired items. For instance, stocking-stuffers like batteries and flashlights can be excellent choices.
Storing your emergency preparedness kit
If you don’t have enough space inside your home, consider storing your kit in the trunk of your car. Find a large bin or duffel bag and write down the contents of the kit on a piece of paper, also ensuring it is saved on your phone. Keep it in a location that is easily accessible.
Make sure to regularly review the contents, at least every 6 months, by setting a reminder in your phone or on your calendar. Keep in mind that certain items such as food, water, batteries, and medications may require replacement.
