Your Home Emergency Supply Kit

The time to prepare for a hurricane is well in advance, before you hear the warnings from your local media. Be sure to inventory your Home Emergency Supply Kit. In the COVID-19 environment, it is recommended that you add cloth face masks, hand sanitizer, and cleaning supplies to your kit.

Many hurricane supplies are tax free May 29 through June 4. 

HOME EMERGENCY SUPPLY KIT

Keep items in an airtight bag and put your disaster supply kits into one or two easy-to-carry containers such as a plastic box with lid and handle, a duffel bag, or a backpack. Update your kit each year and rethink your needs at that time. Check off supplies when added to your kit:

  Food and water
  Manual can opener
  Utensils
  First Aid Kit
  Flashlight
  Battery-operated Radio
  Batteries – AAA, AA, C, D, other
  Cash in small denominations and coins
  Unscented liquid household bleach (for water purification)
  Personal hygiene articles: toilet paper, Handi-wipes, soap, feminine supplies

  Sturdy shoes

  Heavy gloves

  Warm clothes, a hat, rain gear

  A local map

  Extra eyeglasses, hearing aids, other vital personal items

  Plastic sheeting, duct tape, utility knife (for covering broken windows)
  Tools including pliers, a shut-off wrench (for turning off utilities, if needed)

  Blanket or sleeping bag
  Extra keys to your house or vehicle

  A copy of important documents and phone numbers
  Paper towels, aluminum foil
  Fire extinguisher

  Paper, pencils, pens
  Various sizes of plastic bags for waste and sanitation
  Diapers and other items for babies and children (if needed)
  Special-needs items for family members with mobility problems, such as an extra

  cane or manual wheelchair in case there is no power for recharging
  Tent or tarp for shelter
  Matches in a waterproof container
  Pet supplies – food, litter, disposable waste bags, pet medication (if needed)
  Plastic storage container
  Signal flare
  Needles and thread

FIRST AID KIT

  2 pairs of disposable gloves
  Sterile dressings and gauze bandages

  Cleansing agent – soap and antibiotic towelettes
  Antibiotic ointment
  Adhesive tape – 2-inch width
  Eye wash solution, eye drops
  Scissors and tweezers
  Over-the-counter medicines (aspirin, pain reliever, laxative, anti-diarrhea, antacid)
  Daily prescriptions (insulin, heart medicine, asthma inhalers)
  Prescribed medical supplies (glucose monitor, blood pressure equipment)

WATER

Store one gallon of water per person and per pet per day
Seal containers in a food grade plastic container, label w/date, store in cool, dark place

Rotate water supplies every 6 months to prevent bacteria in microscopic container cracks 

Keep a small bottle of unscented liquid bleach to purify water. Add eight drops of bleach to one gallon of water. Shake or stir and then allow to stand for 30 minutes.

PET CARE

For each pet, get a carrier or crate for the pet to stand up turn around inside.
Have a leash or muzzle on hand to help control your dog.
Newspapers, plastic bags, cleansers, and kitty litter and disinfectant available for waste
Sufficient amounts of pet food, water, and special medications on hand

Be sure your pet’s rabies, other vaccinations are current. The collar needs a license tag.
Gather your pet’s ID and medical records and store in a waterproof package.
Include a recent photo of you and your pet with a description and copy of current vaccinations.

Ask local shelters if they provide emergency shelter or foster care for pets in a disaster.

  

FOOD

Store enough emergency food to feed your family for at least three days:

  

Ready-to-eat canned proteins or meats, fruits, vegetables
Canned or boxed juices, milk, soup
High-energy foods such as peanut butter, jelly, crackers, granola bars, trail mix        

Hard candy, sweetened cereals, candy bars, cookies 

Dried foods (avoid high salt content

Instant meals that do not require cooking or water
Portable propane stove and propane bottles
Vitamins
Protein or fruit bars, nuts
Storage sacks with zipper storage bags and utensils such as a picnic knife