Emergency Preparedness
Hurricane season has already begun! Ever since Katrina and New Orleans years ago, we are all on alert for the worst. Our family is vigilant about hurricanes due to Ike as well. We were without power for 14 days!
With this in mind, here is our family preparedness check list. Not sure where to start? I suggest baby steps! Organize your papers first in a fireproof safe. Make a plan depending on whether you are staying or going. Take it step by step to be ready.
Emergency Preparedness Checklist
Prepare and check when daylight savings time begins and ends!
Communicate your family plan to another family friend or relative.
For paper documents, place originals in safe or safe deposit box and carry copies with you.
| Social Security cards | Bottled water ( 1 gal per day per person) | ||
| Insurance policies (Life, Home, Auto, and Flood) | Snacks | ||
| Passports | Travel food | ||
| Drivers License | Ice | ||
| Immunization records | Paper towels | ||
| Medical records | Toilet paper | ||
| Medication | Hand sanitizer | ||
| Birth certificates | Candles | ||
| Checkbooks | Garbage bags | ||
| Credit cards | Tool kit | ||
| Debit cards | First Aid Kit | ||
| Will | Safe deposit box list and keys | ||
| Legal documents | Tarp | ||
| Valuables (jewelry and keepsakes) | Matches | ||
| Computer back up/ thumb drive | Rope | ||
| Cash ($500 suggested minimum) | Old quilts and blankets | ||
| Photos | Pet supplies | ||
| Family phone book | Kids: Card and board games | ||
| Tax copies | Battery operated TV | ||
| Document carrier or safe | Battery operated radio | ||
| Batteries | Walkie talkies | ||
| Flashlights | Flips flops/extra shoes | ||
| Duct tape | Video camera & tapes of home | ||
| Propane tanks filled | Cooler | ||
| Cars filled up | Can Opener | ||
| Gas in cans | |||
| Cell phones and chargers |
Here are some amazing websites for preparedness too!
Hi Ellen,
What a great post and so timely too. I especially liked that you first prioritized putting your documents in a fire proof box. Sometimes that can be the most important step.
Please let your readers know that if they are looking to get prepared quickly and easily, they can find ready-made emergency kits, free emergency preparedness plans for family and pets and a resource libarary at my store: Ready Set Go Kits (http://www.readysetgokits.com).
Also, Ellen, I’d love to hear more about your experience during Hurricane Ike, would you be interested in granting an interview for my blog? http://www.readysetgokitsblog.com
Many thanks,
Amy