Here in Texas, April marks the period when weather can get rough across the state. Who could forget last year’s severe weather events, floods, and tornado outbreaks?
Those storms may have taken some of us by surprise, but not this year. This year we’re getting prepared for Mother Nature’s possible wrath. One of the most important steps anyone can take is putting together a home emergency kit.
These kits contain vital tools and medical supplies that can help you and your loved ones get through a natural disaster. Here’s a look at what we’re including in our home emergency kits.
Essential Items Every Home Emergency Kit Should Have
Emergency kit items tend to fall into one of three categories: survival, medical and tools.
SURVIVAL SUPPLIES
- Water – one gallon per person, per day (The Red Cross recommends that people have at least three days worth of water for an evacuation.)
- Nonperishable food – At least enough for three days per person.
- Whistle
- Emergency blanket
- Waterproof matches
MEDICAL SUPPLIES
- First aid kit
- First aid book
- Medications
- Medical documents
- Surgical masks
- Hygiene items
- Glasses or contact lenses
- Hearing aids with extra batteries
TOOLS
- Flashlight
- Battery-operated radio
- Batteries
- Multi-purpose tool
- Two-way radio or walkie-talkies
- Cell phone with charger
- Extra set of car and house keys
- Maps of the local area
- List with emergency contact information
- Work gloves
- Manual can opener
If you have a baby or pets, you’ll need to pack extra supplies for them as well.
It’s also a good idea to include a few creature comforts, especially if you have kids. Items to consider adding to your emergency kit include:
- A deck of cards
- Coloring books and crayons
- Books or magazines
- Crossword puzzles
- Word search puzzles
All of your emergency kit supplies should be kept together in one place. It’s a good idea to put as much as possible in a single backpack or bug-out bag that makes it easy to grab and go.
One Thing You Have to Consider When Putting Together a Home Emergency Kit
Every area has their own unique environment that comes with unique risks. For example, in Texas our emergency preparedness kits don’t need to factor in the possibility of earthquakes. Likewise, people in California don’t have to worry much about tornadoes.
This influences what you’ll need to prepare for and any extra supplies that should be included in your emergency kit. When in doubt contact your state Department of Safety for suggestions that are tailored to your area.
There isn’t an emergency kit for making a move, but at Square Cow Movers our team can help you plan and prepare for a move in Central Texas or the Denver metro. Use our handy online form to receive an instant moving quote, or give us a call for immediate assistance!
Original Source: https://squarecowmovers.com/putting-together-complete-home-emergency-kit/