Thursday, Aug. 18, 2011

Dust off your disaster kits

There's no guarantee that this hurricane season will be as quiet for the East Coast as the past few seasons have been and we need to be ready. The American Red Cross urges everyone to dust off their disaster supplies kit and get better prepared now for a variety of disasters such as hurricanes, high winds, and the flooding and tornadoes that may accompany them.

A portable kit, stored in a sturdy, easy to carry, water resistant container should have enough supplies for three days.

Whether you purchase a kit or choose to build your own, your three-day kit should include:

· A three-day supply of water (one gallon per person, per day) and ready-to-eat non-perishable foods, such as tuna fish, peanut butter, crackers, canned fruit, juice boxes, etc.

· A manual can opener.

· A battery-powered or hand-crank radio, flashlight and plenty of extra batteries

· A first aid kit and reference guide

· Prescription and non-prescription medication items

· Copies of important documents, including birth certificates, insurance policies and social security cards.

· Cash. ATMs and credit cards won't work if the power is out.

· Special items for infant, elderly or disabled family members

· A change of clothes for everyone, including long-sleeved shirts, long pants and sturdy footwear

· One blanket or sleeping bag per person

· Emergency tools, including tools to turn off utilities

· An extra set of home and car keys

· An extra pair of glasses or contact lenses, extra batteries for hearing aids

· Pet supplies

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