Let's Get Ready

The tragic events that are playing out in Japan over these past two weeks have really started me thinking about the safety of my own family. You hear people in Japan speaking of only being prepared for the most possible disaster that could happen, rather than preparing for a worse case scenario.  We are seeing right now what can happen when you prepare for only a probable disaster.

Living in New England, we don't really think too much about natural disasters.  We don't have any strong earthquakes; tornadoes rarely, if ever happen; we do get the occasional hurricane, but never one of Katrina strength.  We are very complacent about our safety here.  As the saying goes "it will never happen here."

Well, can't it?  We are told all the time while it is rare for catastrophic natural disasters to happen here in the Northeast, they have happened in the past, and will probably happen again.  With that in mind, I have decided to prepare our family by putting together an emergency kit.  With the help of www.ready.gov, I am on my way to at least having the supplies and a plan ready in case it is ever needed (knock on wood).

Please, consider doing the same for your family.  Isn't it better to be safe than sorry? I challenge you to put a kit together and then post the photos to the blog!

I will post photos of our emergency kit once I get it together.

• Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
• Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Whistle to signal for help
• Dusk mask, to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
• Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food)
• Local maps
• Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger

Additional Items to Consider Adding to an Emergency Supply Kit:

• Prescription medications and glasses
• Infant formula and diapers
• Pet food and extra water for your pet
• Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container
• Cash or traveler's checks and change
• Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container.
• Emergency reference material such as a first aid book or information from www.ready.gov.
• Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person. Consider additional bedding if you live in a cold-weather climate.
• Complete change of clothing including a long sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes. Consider additional clothing if you live in a cold-weather climate.
• Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper – When diluted nine parts water to one part bleach, bleach can be used as a disinfectant. Or in an emergency, you can use it to treat water by using 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water. Do not use scented, color safe or bleaches with added cleaners.
• Fire Extinguisher
• Matches in a waterproof container
• Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
• Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils, paper towels
• Paper and pencil
• Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children