My husband and I live on the East Coast and being prepared for emergencies is an important part of our lives. Just in the past 3 years we have been hit by two hurricanes, one earthquake, one major blizzard, one tornado and several snow & ice storms.
Often times when these bad weather events move into our area, we lose electrical power, phone service and of course, all of our stores close down. We have learned over the years that we need to be prepared for these types of emergencies and we have put together our own Emergency Preparedness Kit.
Here is what we have in our emergency kit:
* one week supply of non-perishable foods + manual can opener
* one week supply of bottled water
* one week supply of OTC and prescription medications
* copies of bank statements & emergency paperwork
* cash money (dollar bills and coins)
* 5 surefire flashlights
* two extra warm blankets
* battery-operated lanterns with 10 packs of batteries
* extra keys to our car, truck, house, safety-deposit box, etc.
* emergency contact list (family phone numbers, doctors, etc.)
* solar charger (to charge up our cell phones and computers)
* basic first-aid kit
* battery-operated radio
* disposable cups, paper plates, bowls and utensils
* compact fire extinguisher
* flares, lighter and 4 packs of matches
* and a few other things
All of our emergency supplies are neatly packed inside two large Rubbermaid totes and we keep them readily available at the top of the stairs in our attic. Every 6 months we re-evaluate our supplies and refresh them as needed.
Are you prepared for an emergency? If so, what kind of supplies do you keep in your emergency preparedness kit?
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Thank you so much for posting this very important and informative list. Unfortunately, I have never done my emergency plan yet but after reading this I am going to start one. I will go over the list to make sure i have everything that is needed if an emergency ever presents itself. Thanks again for posting this and I hope you and your family have a happy, safe and healthy weekend!!
Your list is an excellent one. I think it is important to mention that if you already have batteries in the lanters/flashlights, you have to check them after a while and perhaps change them.
I thought I was prepared until I read your list. I am going to add some things plus put it all together in a container. I am not as organized as you are. This has got me thinking to be prepared. I add chocolate to my being ready as a treat will help.
thanks for this great article.
i am so unprepared!
Your list is an excellent one. I’m sorry to say I have to get cracking here. I haven’t updated anything and that’s not good living on the East Coast.I’ll be updating our Emergency box this weekend. Thanks Shelly.
Carol L
Thanks ladies for your comments! Great suggestions! To survive an emergency, you definitely need to be prepared…as prepared that you can get!
It seems now a days you can never be prepared enough. Your list is very exemplary! I should really take notes and make a more organized and comprehensive emergency preparedness haul! That’s smart to put all of this in sturdy plastic containers and have them within immediate reach. And even more props to regularly checking and making sure that all items are safe and there’s enough to keep the family going for as long as needed.
One thing we do to prepare for an emergency is making sure we’ve got water on hand. Not drinking water–water to flush the toilets. We’re rural, so when the power goes out, we have no running water. We keep several old cat litter jugs full of water, just in case.
My daughter just made a couple basic winter travel kits for my husband and I. We just had a big snowstorm and are about to have another. She packed food, first aid, Kleenex, flashlight, batteries, tea lights, matches, water, blanket, wool socks, extra hat and gloves, and a shovel and scraper. She packed snacks of protein and sugar for quick energy. For hydration water and fruit cups…we could always drink the juice if needed. A tin can to burn the candles in or for necessity of a bathroom. You never want to need any of this but it is important to have. Make sure you have basic tools, maps, and your cell phone car charger in your vehicle, too. Hopefully, it will all stay untouched by all of us. Stay safe!