Prepare Ahead for What You Will Need in An Emergency

[Adam's Apple]

http://post-gazette.com/pg/05252/568244.stm

Your survival kit, prepared in advance:
--Cash
--Fnancial documents (driver's license, Social Security card, copy of telephone or utility bill as additional forum of i.d., list of account numbers and passwords for bank and investment accounts, mortgages, loans, insurance policy numbers & contacts, a list of your possessions (could be a video or photos of your home and its contents)
--Medicines and medical records (health care cards)
--Irreplacable photos
--Legal documents (birth certificates, marriage certificate, passport, military records, adoption papers, titles to your home and vehicles, copies of wills & powers of attorney)
--Three day supply of food
--One gallon of water per person per dcay
--Flashlights and batteries
--Battery powered radio
--First aid kit
--Phone numbers of family and friends

Some people like to put the information on a CD-ROM for convenience.

Put everything in sealed plastic bags or a waterproof container.

As a backup, put copies in a safe deposit box or give them to a trusted friend or relative.

You can buy disaster supply kits for the home and work from the Red Cross through local chapters or online at www.redcross.org/services/disaster.

Some other ideas for your emergency kit: blanket, rain poncho and cell phone charger for the car. Keep in mind that your cell phone might not work, but text messages may still go through.

Some experts also suggest bringing along a few favorite toys for the kids, which can ease stress and the body's fear response.

For people with special medical needs, experts recommend keeping from three days to two weeks' worth of extra medications. You also should include a medical alert ID bracelet, a record of prescriptions and an electronic or paper copy of medical records.

And don't forget to include evacuation plans for your pets.

 

[GotZoom]

Don't forget Duct Tape.

 

[theHawk]

and a shotgun

 

[no1tovote4]

Don't forget Duct Tape.

I still have rolls of hundred mile tape from the military.

 

[ScreamingEagle]

What about some basic tools/utensils?

I'd include a knife and a can opener at least (really hate opening cans with a knife ).

Also, it seems people need a kit for not only home, but in their cars too in case you're stranded somewhere.

Also different emergencies may call for different items you might want to have available. There are all kinds of disasters: floods, fires, hurricanes, tornadoes, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, nuclear blasts, dirty bombs, bio-attacks, etc.

 

[Adam's Apple]

I think the article from the Post-Gazette was simply trying to get us to start thinking about the types of things we need to have on hand if we have to leave in a hurry. The actual title of the article was "Just Minutes to Get Out? Here's What You Will Need." Definitely you would have to have these items already collected together. There simply would not be time to think of all the things mentioned and collect them in a short amount of time. I had not thought about some of the things listed in the article. You always think about food, water, batteries, radio, flashlight, first aid kit, matches, etc., but the other stuff is important too to enable you to start over again if you should survive the disaster but everything you owned was destroyed. You're not going to be able to save everything, so whatever advance preparation you make will entail sifting things down to what is essential.