Making your Emergency Survival Supply Kit
You should create a kit with emergency survival supplies that may be needed during and after disasters such as hurricanes. Here are some of the items that you kit should include:
- Cash or travelers checks. Without power the ATM's and Pay-At-The-Pump services will not be operating.
- Battery operated radio and spare batteries
- A flashlight for each person and spare batteries
- A week supply of water, at one gallon per person per day
- Fire extinguisher
- At least a week's supply of non-perishable food, plus a non-electric can opener, paper plates, plastic cups and utensils. Good choices are bread, crackers, peanut butter, canned fruit, raisins and other dried fruit, canned beans, beverages such as fruit juices and milk in cans or boxes, canned soup, granola bars, cold cereal, instant coffee, hard candy, tea bags, cookies, and seasonings.
- Plenty of plastic containers to hold the dry foods, spare batteries, duct tape, and matches
- A four week supply of prescription medications
- First aid kit
- Raingear
- Trash bags
- Matches (in a water proof container)
- Pet food (if you have pets)
- Insect repellent
- Charcoal
- Ice and cooler
- Plastic tarps
- Unscented, regular strength bleach (such as Clorox) or other water purification aids
- Books and games for any children
- Sunscreen
- Camera and film. You will want to take pictures of your house, interior and exterior, for insurance purposes. Store in a water proof container.
- Toilet paper
- Paper towels
- Moist towelettes
- Duct tape
- Sewing kit
- Hat and work gloves
- Sunglasses
- Waterproof container for important documents. These documents should include your children's immunization records as well as passports, wills, insurance policies, deeds, contracts, stocks and bonds, social security cards and birth certificates.
- Bedding or sleeping bags
- Extra clothing
- Paper and pen
- Basic tool kit
- Personal hygiene and toiletry items. Don't forget the soap, toothbrushes and toothpaste.
- Cleaning supplies including disinfectant, towels, buckets, mops, etc.
Special Needs Items
As you put together your Emergency Survival Supply Kit, be sure to take in the “special needs” of family members. These individuals include infants, the elderly and persons with disabilities or serious illnesses.
- For Baby:
- Formula (Preferrably pre-prepared)
- Diapers
- Bottles
- Powdered milk
- Baby food
- Medications
- Moist towelettes / baby wipes
- Diaper rash ointments
- For Adults:
- Ask your doctor about storing prescription medications such as heart and high blood pressure medications, insulin and other prescription drugs.
- Denture needs
- Contact lenses and supplies
- Extra eye glasses
- Walking canes, walkers, etc.
- Oxygen tank