September is National Preparedness Month. Does your family have a plan should disaster strike? FEMA reports that thousands of people are affected by disasters each year. Right here in my small town in Pennsylvania we had a tropical storm come through a few years ago that flooded tons of homes. It was a horrible. And a real eye-opener. You just never know.
I’ll admit that while we have things on hand here and there that we’d rely on should we lose power for an extended period of time but I don’t really have it all organized, nor have I inventoried it lately to see what’s missing. My mission this month as part of the Project Envolve program was to get my act together and make sure my family has a plan and the supplies we need should we have an emergency. I’ve got some great tips to share to help your family get your ducks in a row, too.
How to Create an Emergency Preparedness Kit
This isn’t too hard really. You don’t have to guess at what to include; you just need to gather it up! Check out this list to start your emergency preparedness kit to get started. Here are the things I made sure we have in ours:
- Nonperishable food items and a can opener.
- First aid kit
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- Pet food, litter, medications.
- Cash
- Wet wipes and hand sanitizer
- Bottled water (one gallon per person for 3 days)
- Blankets
- Emergency Contact info (print and fill out the forms here)
- Battery operated radio
If you have a baby you’re going to want to make sure you have diapers, formula, etc. And don’t forget any medications you may need. It’s also a good idea to know how to operate your garage door if you lose power. That garage door opener won’t work anymore, so practice before you need to.
Creating an Emergency Plan
This is a really important piece of the pie. Having all the supplies on hand is important but there is a possibility your family won’t all be together at home when disaster hits. So download these forms and fill them out. Remember you may not have access to that online address book of phone numbers and if you’re like me, you won’t know a number in the world when your cell phone dies.
Our emergency plan including writing down important phone numbers: family, friends, and neighbors, plus our work and school information. We also decided on a meeting place in our neighborhood and one local spot that’s not quite as close to home. I think it’s a good idea to keep copies of these forms in your car and in your home.
Remember these tips:
- Make sure everyone in the family knows where your emergency plan and kit are located.
- Practice your plan!
- Have the number of your electric company so you can get updates.
- Have an out-of-town place to stay (with a friend or relative) should you need to leave your home. Don’t forget to have a plan for your pets or anyone with special needs.
And stay safe:
- Stay away from downed power lines.
- Don’t use a gas oven or range to heat your house.
- Unplug electronics that could be damaged when the power comes back on.
- Use flashlights instead of candles to avoid a fire hazard.
- Never run a generator inside where exhaust fumes can accumulate.
- Keep all electrical items away from standing water like a flooded basement.
Fighting Cabin Fever
The struggle is real. The few times we’ve been without power for a few hours my kids are bored to tears. You don’t realize how much you rely on all things electric until it’s not available. My kids like to play board games, Play-Doh, Legos, puzzles, and build blanket forts. We’ve even been known to pitch a tent in the middle of the living room floor and pretend we’re camping out! Here are a few more ideas for staving off cabin fever:
- Coloring books
- Reading
- Flashlight tag
- Pictionary on a dry erase board
- Deck of cards
- Crafts, like making a pasta necklace
- Freeze dance
- Hide and seek
So what should you do next?
There is a ton of useful information on emergency preparedness here. Take the time to create your emergency preparedness kit and your emergency plan. You never know when you’re going to need this stuff and when the time comes, you’ll be so glad you have it.
Maralea says
When our kids were younger and still at home we did have an emergency preparedness plan. My husband and I don’t currently have one, however, I am going to start one. Great review and lots of great tips!
Esther says
I have things around here but not a complete list of emergency items all stored together. It is something that is on my to do list. I’m hoping I get around to creating a kit before I really need it.
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Sus says
Yes- we have one but need a couple more things including a weather radio.
Linda Kish says
We don’t have anything. I do keep my medications around so I won’t run out. I suggest not running your cars until they are on empty because the gas stations would have long line in case of emergencies too.
Ashley Kolpak says
Unfortunately, we don’t really have a plan, other than always keep cell phones charged, gas in the grill, and containers of water. Our power is always going out during storms, this would be a great kit to have!!
Crystle Monahan says
My family doesn’t have much of a plan in place, which is weird because although we deal with few disasters in these parts, we’ve been hit by one before that left us maybe 4 weeks without power.
I have been trying to come up with a list of things we’d need in an emergency, at least a power outage one, and I didn’t know about everything listed here. Very good to know, thank you!
The main things we need are things we don’t have spares of (for example, several gallons of drinkable water and a can opener.)
Thanks for this healthy reminder that I should be working on this project before disaster strikes!
Heather S. says
This is really sad but no I don’t have an emergency preparedness kit! I really should put one together!
Jessica To says
I usually try to prepare something when they are calling for a bad snow storm. I have to make sure I have candles and flashlights so this kit would be great.
Tami says
We have one and did not miss anything, but this was a reminder to replace
the batteries in everything. Thanks
Nancy Johnson Horn says
We didn’t have much of a plan during Hurricane Irene (we fled to my inlaws in Port Jervis, NY) but somewhat of a plan during Hurricane Sandy (we had food and water, as well as flashlights). While we were very lucky, having a plan would be a better idea!
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tammy shelton says
Yes, we have one because we live in Florida where there is sometimes a chance of Hurricanes.
Debra says
What a great list. I have to admit that I need to get one of these together since we live in Tornado alley (aka Dallas)!!
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Divina says
Thank you for the post! We have a kit but this reminded me to check if food, batteries and other perishables are still okay.
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samantha wagner says
We have one but we could use a few more items like a couple more flashlights and I would like a weather radio.
Leigh Anne Borders says
We prepared some emergency kits after the two ice storms we had last year down in the South. Your article points out a few items we need to add.
Kimberley Thomas says
I keep batteries,food,water jugs,cash,blankets,flashlights,radio ,first aid kit are all part of my emergency pack
Jenni E. {Sweet Pennies from Heaven} says
I would have never thought about the fact that not all of us might not be together in the event of an emergency! Thank you for sharing those printable forms!!!
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Lee S says
I need one as I do not have a kit.
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Melissa Willard says
No we don’t have one but because of all the great ideas from here I will start one now. Thanks!
Darla Peduzzi says
No, we don’t have one, but this made me think of what a good idea would be to make one!
Dawn Cook says
no we do not have one, after reading this i may start one!!
Stephen Gordon says
Have never thought to be honest. But your charts are outstanding. I do replace batteries often. Thanks for the chance .CHEERS great tips.
Deena Martin Bailey says
No. I need just about everything!!
mary mcmenamy says
we have one but the light with battery is a fab idea and i need a fire intiquesher
Jessica says
At this time we have been working on gathering some of the things for our emergency kit.
Mary Beth Elderton says
I admit that now that I am away from the gulf coast and the kids are grown, Hubz and I have slacked a bit on being prepared. However, now that we are back in a house after some apartment hopping, I have been working recently on getting things together.
Angela Williams says
We do not have an emergency plan or anything but we will start now! Thanks! !
Katherine H says
We really don’t have a kit or a plan, but I have been telling my family that we need to work on this.
Cassandra Eastman says
This is such a great idea, we don’t have a prepardness kit right now. I’ll definitely have to make one though!
Marisa says
We do not have a specific emergency preparedness plan. Hope to start one soon.
Zach Pq says
We don’t have a plan but that is a good idea. I’ll bookmark and check back later to check out the links and put one together.
Sheila K. says
We always keep an emergency preparedness kit (and check it yearly) because living in South Florida we have to deal with our annual hurricane season! We can always use more flashlights, batteries, lanterns, and canned goods for the kit!
Hideki Yamada says
We only have flashlights, matches, lighters, and blankets. We need a lot more, like water and freeze dried food.
Tedd says
Always have your emergency kits ready and have enough stocks of clean water to drink.
John says
According to FEMA it is one gallon of water per person PER DAY, not per three days. Your info graphic only provides the amount of water needed for a family of four for one day.
Lester Goodwine says
I also have matches – lighters, candles, Led flashlights, a few IKEA crank flashlights, cyclist headworn lights , solar panel chargers from thinkgeek.com (or other “gadget stores”), antibacterial wipes and hand sanitizer, bottles funnels, Rope, large tarp, good length of chain /locks / tools lockable tool bench and chest, strap with wench for latching down things, extra gas tank for our grill, lots of assorted ziplock bags, garbage bags, folded grocery plastic bags, and considering a small windmill, first aid kit, water filter, various camping supplies, plastic zip ties, Duct tape, masking tape, super glue, transparent packaging tape, cellophane wrap, assorted Tupperware styled tubs, plastic storage bins with lids, life preservers ,inflateable raft, 4 adult/person tent, small utility trailer. Compound bow and arrows, amazon also has a “bug out bag” as do some survival companies i’ve checked out.