Emergency Preparedness Program Part 2:

 In the event you and your family are stuck at home when the electricity goes out, due to a storm, or emergency, it is always good to be prepared.  Your home emergency plan should consist of all the items in your mobile kit, plus more essentials in case you're stuck for a week or so without electricity.  Here is a suggested list to think about when creating that "At home" emergency kit.

Generator to protect that food in your freezer and fridge. A generator can also be used to charge cell phones, laptops, rechargeable batteries for small items. (Never use rechargeable batteries for emergencies, they don't last as long as normal batteries.)

Batteries for flashlights, plus extras.

Fire Extinguisher - every kitchen should have one of these, but it is good to have an extra on hand should there be a fire produced during a storm. Two is better than one in an emergency.

Cash and change - if you're without power, so will those stores around you that might be open. ATM machines will not be operational either, so please have cash readily available for emergencies.

Food - dry and canned food to last you at least 1-2 weeks if necessary.

Cereal - dry

Camping stove, or BBQ Gas Grill to cook on. Try not to use your indoor stove if it is gas. You never know if there is a break in the gas line in your area.

Water - 1 Gallon per person per day for personal hygiene and cleaning. Buy additional for cooking too.    Buy 1 case of water (24 bottles) per person for three days. Don't forget to save those 3-liter soda bottles to be used to fill up with water for the animals.

Snacks: Dried nuts, peanut butter, jelly (individual packets if possible), granola bars, saltines, dried fruit

Drinks: Canned juices, or individual drink packets to use in water bottles. Best suggestion is buying a few tall 1-liter bottles of water to use with packets. Try to stay away from carbonated drinks if possible, during an emergency because they will make you thirstier.

Dry Milk that requires water to use for cooking or cereal. Powdered creamer for coffee or tea.

Sugar in plastic container.

Tools: Pliers, wrench and screwdriver. Be sure to turn off all utilities, especially gas during an emergency. If there is a break in the line it could cause hazardous results to your home.

 

 

If you're in a flood zone, you might consider investing in one of those inflatable boats to ensure you can vacate via water.  (Plus they come in handy on those hot days if you don't have a pool - inflate and fill with water to cool off, then deflate, dry off and restore until needed again.)

 

The photo's depicted in this post are just examples to help give you a visual. We hope that those who are prepared for any emergency never have to use your emergency kit.