PrintCreating an Emergency Supply Kit
The Department of Homeland Security’s website: Ready gives guidance to Americans on readiness for all types of emergencies. The section focusing on hurricane preparedness includes this engaging video to catch the viewer’s attention.
Please watch the following short video on hurricane preparedness from Ready - Hurricanes.
Video: When the Waves Swell (1:30)
Narrator: When the waves swell, the wind blows, and rain starts to pour you'll ask yourself, how prepared or unprepared are you? Did you board your windows? Protect you home? Secure loose objects so they won't blow away? Bring large items in, and low items up? If you're properly prepared it will help in a big way. Does your family have a plan? Do they know what to do? Is your emergency kit packed waiting by the door for you? Just because you're not on the coast doesn't mean you're okay. Heavy winds and flooding can wash things away. When a hurricane is near, you need to stay safe. Turn on the radio, wait for updates. Only leave your home if told so. Grab your bag and go, go, go. Now if you're home and the heavy wind blows, get away from the windows. Watch out for flooding and protect yourself. You may be without power for a couple days, but your emergency kit should help you to stay. Once the storm is gone and it is safe to go home, be cautious of what's going on. If water is in your path you have to turn back. Dangerous electricity and things you can't see can hurt you very badly. So before the waves swell, the wind blows, and rain starts to pour get prepared. Make a plan, and protect yourself each and every way. America's PrepareAthon. Be smart. Take Part. Prepare. Get started today. Go to ready.gov/prepare
A basic emergency supply kit suggested by ready.gov includes the following recommended items to prepare in case of evacuation:
- 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 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
- Manual can opener
- Paper local maps
- Cell phone with chargers, inverter, or solar charger
I am adding a couple of items to this list from the article in the Tampa Bay Times linked below:
- Camping equipment – Sleeping bags, pillows, and propane stove
- Plenty of cash to tide you over a period of no power for digital payment transactions
- Prescription medications and medical records if health conditions warrant
- Personal documents such as government ID, passport, birth certificate (latter should be stored in a dry box in a safe place if not included in evacuation kit)
Emergency Supply List
Building an emergency supply kit is an important hurricane preparedness activity. Go to Ready and find a document called Emergency Supply List. This is a list that helps you build an emergency supply kit. The document identifies recommended basic items and additional items for adding to the kit. Answer the questions below, identifying the items listed either as a “basic item” or an “additional item” based on this document.
Learning Check Point
Check all that apply for each question