Take simple steps to prepare for a disaster to protect yourself and your family. Tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, floods and other natural disasters all disrupt the basic services that we count on -- electricity, water and gas -- for thousands of people each year. A disaster kit partnered with a disaster shelf or closet centralizes those items that make living through a disaster bearable. Outfit your family's survival kit gradually each week to spread the impact on your budget over an extended time. Don't wait until the last minute, or you will be paying high prices for everything you need. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Designate a location to gather the survival supplies. Use a shelf in a closet or basement to store the large items. The intent is to keep everything in one place so if disaster strikes, you know exactly where to find your supplies. Rather than purchase expensive containers, visit a dollar store and buy inexpensive plastic crates. Assemble the survival supplies in a location accessible to everyone, including the children, and tell your family members the location and purpose.
2. Recycle your children's old backpacks. Each individual in the family should have a backpack of his own. If you don't have old backpacks, watch the fall sales and pick up one for each family member cheaply. The least expensive backpack you can find will do. In the event you must evacuate your home, each individual puts a change of clothing, underwear and socks in his backpack, along with personal items -- books, electronic devices, medications -- and keeps it with him.
3. Stock the family survival shelf with water. Plan for a gallon of water per person per day. Prepare for at least three days -- a seven-day supply is better. This is a large amount of water and the primary reason you need a shelf to accumulate supplies. Visit a discount or dollar store to buy plastic gallons of water.
4. Stock nonperishable food. If your electricity goes out, you'll lose refrigeration and the ability to cook. Canned foods store well, as do peanut butter, crackers, packaged snacks and granola bars. Keep these foods with your emergency water supply, but rotate them every few months to keep the freshest foods available. You can buy most of these supplies in store brands. Add a manual can opener, plastic utensils, paper plates and trash bags. If you lose water, you won't be able to wash dishes.
5. Assemble your own first aid kit in a waterproof container. Include gauze, antiseptic wipes, acetaminophen tablets, bandages, tape, peroxide. If you anticipate an emergency, fill prescriptions and gather medications in one area for rapid evacuation.
6. The American Red Cross and the Federal Emergency Management Agency make specific recommendations for the contents of survival kits. They include flashlights, batteries, matches (for adults), cash, copies of important papers, battery-operated radios, cellphones and chargers and games, as well as baby supplies and pet supplies, if applicable. Each week, place one or more of these items on your shopping list to slowly build up your family's survival kit.
7. Refuel the car before any anticipated emergency. If you must evacuate, fill the car with the personal backpacks, food and water from your emergency shelf, blankets and pillows and suitable outerwear for the season.
Tags: your family, family survival, dollar store, must evacuate, shelf closet, survival supplies, with personal
