I have been thinking of writing an emergency kit post for awhile now. Basically since I opened this blog the words emergency kit have been on my mind. This article will detail a “quick kit” not a detailed and sustainable emergency kit. Nothing that is expected to sustain you for 2 weeks but something that we can throw together quickly now with a small bit of money or items that we currently have around the house so that we are prepared now.
3 Day Quick Kit
- Water – 1 gallon per person per day. Expect to have a 1/2 gallon for personal hygiene and food preparation and a 1/2 gallon for drinking per person. Also think about what your pets might need in terms of water as well.
- Food – Non perishable – easy to prepare (don’t forget a spare can-opener). You can keep rotating your supply of canned goods, dry mixes and other staple items on your shelves.
- If you have a baby – Make sure you have their supplies stocked up. Extra large can of formula that you replace every other week when you run out of your open can and just always have one or two as a backup. Diapers and baby food.
- Flash Light
- Extra Batteries
- Battery Radio – Put on your shopping list a NOAA weather radio.
- First Aid kit – They sell these little things all over the place.
- Multipurpose tool
- Sanitation and personal hygiene items – AKA – TAMPONS Ladies!!! Wouldn’t want to be snowed in during a blizzard and have Aunt Flo come knocking on your door!! Stock up after each visit at-least have a box in reserves!!
- Family Emergency Contact info. If your cell phone dies do you know your moms number? Maybe you know your moms but do you know your uncles or your grandma’s?? Keep a current and up to date list of your families phone numbers. (P.S. I know that if our cell phones have died many of us have lost connection to the outside world. This is why you should purchase the NOAA weather radio, they will keep you up to date on what is going on.)
- Maps of your area!! Google Earth and MapQuest might not be assessable to you. If you have a GPS then your car will take care of the charging for you. It is a good idea to have a map of your area so that if roads are blocked by debris or barricades you can figure out how to get to where you need to go.
- Pet Food!!
Here is a bit more info on the NOAA Weather Radio. I believe that every home should have one of these. From the NOAA site: “Working with the Federal Communication Commission’s (FCC) Emergency Alert System , NWR is an “All Hazards” radio network, making it your single source for comprehensive weather and emergency information. In conjunction with Federal, State, and Local Emergency Managers and other public officials, NWR also broadcasts warning and post-event information for all types of hazards – including natural (such as earthquakes or avalanches), environmental (such as chemical releases or oil spills), and public safety (such as AMBER alerts or 911 Telephone outages).”
This is a quick kit list it is not inclusive but will get you started so you have all of your supplies in one spot. I will be adding to my emergency kit series within the next few weeks. I hope this short list has given you some ideas on how you can prepare for being snowed in or stranded at the house for a few days.
If you have any items or suggestions please feel free to share!
-Jess
Mama’s Prepared…Kinda!!
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