Prepare, plan and stay informed

A huge thanks to Alison at risencrazy for the reminder that September is 'National' emergency preparedness month. 

For the past two years or 'merged' family of 8 have been living in a small 3 bedroom apartment, and while this should be NO excuse for not being prepared, we are not, especially for living in a state that gets hurricanes, tornadoes, tropical storms, and flooding often.  In fact southern Alabama is currently being hit with a tropical storm and there is a potential hurricane (Lee) in the Gulf of Mexico as I write this. 

I am disappointed to say and admit, our family is in no way prepared!  Each person should have a minimum of 72 hours worth of food and water.  Times that by 8 and it looks like Eric and I need to get a start on our preparations.

At ready.gov they recommend the following:

Basic Emergency Supply Kit:

• 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
• Dust 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
• 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. You can use the Emergency Financial First Aid Kit (EFFAK) developed by Operation Hope, FEMA and Citizen Corps to help you organize your information.
•  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

As I look over these lists, I realize we have many of these items, just not centrally located within our house, so this should be an easy project.  We have a pretty good homemade first aid kit, but are in need of some additional items.


So I admitted we are NOT prepared, now the question is "Are YOU?"