Hurricane Season: Seven Basics for Emergency Kits

Okay, folks, it's peak hurricane season, again. Nobody in a hurricane-prone area should be caught off-guard. If you live anywhere along the East or Gulf coast, you should be ready with a 72-hour emergency kit for you and your family now. And, don't forget your pets. Even if you don't live in a hurricane area, keeping an emergency kit on hand at all times is just smart because you never know when trouble will come.

Do you have these basics for your home? The American Red Cross recommends:

1. Keep at least a three-day supply of water per person. Each person requires one gallon per day for drinking, food preparation and sanitation or 3 gallons for 3 days for each person. 
2. Store at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food. Select foods that require no refrigeration, preparation or cooking, and little or no water. Don't forget a manual can opener.
3. Assemble a first aid kit for your home and one for each car. Do not forget your prescription drugs or specialized medical equipment or supplies. 
4. Include other necessary tools and supplies for daily living, sanitation, and clean-up during recovery in your evacuation kit. This should include cash since ATMs will not work without electricity, and banks will be closed. Include at least one complete change of clothing and footwear per person. Also, take bedding or sleeping bags if you must evacuate to a shelter. 
5. Assess the special needs of family members with special requirements, such as infants and elderly or disabled persons. Plan ahead, especially if they will need specialized care or continuous electricity for medical equipment. 
6. Include entertainment items to pass the time and provide psychological relief during the storm. Board games and other games that don’t require batteries or electricity. Books, travel board games and a deck of cards are good choices.
7. Keep important financial and personal records in a waterproof, portable container. Take these with you if you have to evacuate. Before the storm, make copies or scan them onto a computer disk and send them to a trusted friend or family member who lives in another part of the country. Make a list of important phone numbers, including friends and family members. 

Remember your pets. Do not leave your pets behind.

1. Plan ahead as to where your pet will be sheltered. This may include accompanying you to a pet-friendly shelter; most require advanced registration and proof of vaccinations. Kennels outside evacuation zones are another option; make reservations early. Make reservations early if you hope to stay at pet-friendly hotels or motels. Arrange foster care of your pets with friends or family members, if needed.
2. Make sure your pet has current tags on its collar and carry proof of rabies vaccination and a recent photograph of your pet. Put the phone number of a friend or family member on the tag, too, in case your pet gets loose and is found by someone.
3. Keep pets in sturdy, secure pet carriers throughout the storm, even if you remain in your home. Keep them on leashes or harnesses when they are out of the carrier.
4. Pack a minimum of a week's supply of food, water, and other provisions, such as medication or cat litter.
5. Talk to your veterinarian about tranquilizers for your pets, especially if they have a history of becoming highly stressed during storms or when traveling. Include toys or comfort items for your pet, too. 

Store your kit in a convenient place known to all family members. Keep a smaller version of the supplies' kit in the trunk of your car. Keep items in airtight plastic bags. Change your stored water supply every six months so it stays fresh. Review your kit and family needs at least once a year. Keep the items that you would most likely need during an evacuation in an easy-to carry container," such as a covered trash container, a camping backpack, or a duffle bag.

For more information, go to
http://www.hurricanesafety.org/hurricanesafetychecklists.shtml