Hurricane season started on June 1, which means Jim Cantore’s suitcase is packed to leave at a moment’s notice for whichever way the wind is going to blow. Luckily, South Mississippi doesn’t usually experience bad weather until August or September, if past years are any indication. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t already have your Emergency Kit together come the beginning of the summer months. The season doesn’t officially end until November 30, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) projected this season to be particularly intense, but we’ve all heard that before. Better safe than sorry!
For those of you who have procrastinated, now is really the time to get your kit and other essentials together. The most important thing you can do is be prepared. Yes, it’s been 20 years since Hurricane Katrina came ashore along the southern Gulf Coast, and we’ve had no major storms since then, but you always hear someone say, “We’re due something!” and they could be right. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!
So, what do you need to pull together, just in case? The Red Cross provides the following list of six basic things you should stock for your home:
- Water
- Food (non-perishable)
- First-aid supplies
- Clothing and bedding
- Tools and Emergency supplies
- Special items
Place all of these items in an easy-to-carry container, such as a large, covered trash container, a camping backpack, or a duffle bag.
Food and Water
Water
- Store water in plastic containers such as soft drink bottles. Avoid using containers that will decompose or break. A normally active person needs to drink at least two quarts of water each day. Children, nursing mothers, and people who are sick will need more.
- Store one gallon of water per person per day.
- Keep at least a three-day supply of water per person (two quarts for drinking, two quarts for each person in your household for food preparation/sanitation – washing dishes, bathing, flushing toilets, etc.). If you are riding out the storm at home, fill your bathtub(s), large containers, etc. with water.
Food
Store at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food. Select foods that require no refrigeration, preparation or cooking, and little or no water. If you must heat food, pack a can of Sterno. Make sure you have a hand-held can-opener if your canned items are not flip top. Select food items that are compact and lightweight. Include a selection of the following foods in your Disaster Supplies Kit:
- Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits, and vegetables
- Canned juices
- Staples (salt, sugar, pepper, spices, etc.)
- High energy foods
- Vitamins
- Food for infants
- Comfort/stress foods
If you have meat in a freezer, you can grill it for the first couple of days, if it’s still cold or frozen. But after several days and it starts to thaw, don’t take the risk of it being contaminated, and throw it away. Charcoal and lighter fluid will be needed. You can also grill using a firepit.
First Aid and Non-Prescription Drugs
First Aid Kit
Assemble a first aid kit for your home and one for each car.
- (20) adhesive bandages, various sizes.
- (1) 5″ x 9″ sterile dressing.
- (1) conforming roller gauze bandage.
- (2) triangular bandages.
- (2) 3 x 3 sterile gauze pads.
- (2) 4 x 4 sterile gauze pads.
- (1) roll 3″ cohesive bandage.
- (2) germicidal hand wipes or waterless alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- (6) antiseptic wipes.
- (2) pair large medical grade non-latex gloves.
- Adhesive tape, 2″ width.
- Anti-bacterial ointment.
- Cold pack.
- Scissors (small, personal).
- CPR breathing barrier, such as a face shield.
- Insect repellant.
Non-Prescription Drugs
- Aspirin or non-aspirin pain reliever
- Anti-diarrhea medication
- Antacid (for stomach upset)
- Laxative
- Activated charcoal (use if advised by the American Association of Poison Control Centers)
Tools and Supplies
- Mess kits, or paper cups, plates, and plastic utensils
- Emergency preparedness manual
- Battery-operated radio and extra batteries
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- Cash and/or change
- Non-electric can opener, utility knife
- Fire extinguisher: small canister ABC type
- Tube tent (emergency shelter)
- Pliers
- Tape
- Compass
- Lighter or matches in a waterproof container
- Aluminum foil
- Plastic storage containers
- Signal flare
- Paper, pencil
- Needles, thread
- Medicine dropper
- Shut-off wrench, to turn off household gas and water
- Whistle
- Plastic sheeting
- List of local shelters
Sanitation, Clothing and Bedding
Sanitation
- Hand sanitizer
- Disinfectant wipes
- Cloth face masks (two per person)
- Toilet paper, towelettes
- Soap, liquid detergent
- Feminine supplies
- Personal hygiene items
- Plastic garbage bags, ties (for personal sanitation uses)
- Plastic bucket with tight lid
- Disinfectant
- Household chlorine bleach
Clothing and Bedding
Include at least one complete change of clothing and footwear per person.
- Sturdy shoes or work boots
- Rain gear
- Blankets or sleeping bags
- Hat and gloves
- Sunglasses
Special Items
Remember family members with special requirements, such as infants and elderly or disabled persons.
For Baby
- Formula
- Diapers
- Bottles
- Powdered milk
- Medications
For Adults
- Heart and high blood pressure medication
- Insulin
- Prescription drugs
- Denture needs
- Contact lenses and supplies
- Extra eye glasses
- Phone chargers
Entertainment
- Board games and other games that don’t require batteries or electricity, cards, coloring books/colors, books for adult readers and for children.
For Pets
In the interest of protecting pets, the Humane Society of the United States offers these tips for inclusion in your family disaster plan:
- Do not leave your pets behind.
- Securely fasten a current identification tag to your pet’s collar and carry a photograph of your pet. It’s important to include the phone number of a friend or family member on the tag so anyone who may find your pet is able to reach someone who knows you.
- Transport pets in secure pet carriers and keep pets on leashes or harnesses.
- Call hotels in a safe/host location and ask if you can bring your pets. Ask the manager if a no-pet policy can be lifted during the disaster. Most emergency shelters do not admit pets.
- Call friends, family members, veterinarians or boarding kennels in a safe/host location to arrange foster care if you and your pets cannot stay together. Make sure you have a copy of papers showing pets are up to date on vaccinations.
- Pack a week’s supply of food, water, and other provisions, such as medication or cat litter.
- Do not wait until the last minute to evacuate. Rescue officials may not allow you to take your pets if you need to be rescued.
- Keep a list of emergency phone numbers (veterinarian, local animal control, animal shelters, Red Cross, etc.).
Possessions and Documents
- Keep these records in a waterproof, portable container:
- Will, insurance policies, contracts, deeds, stocks and bonds
- Passports, social security cards, immunization records
- Bank account numbers
- Credit card account numbers and companies
- Inventory of valuable household goods, important telephone numbers
- Family records (birth, marriage, death certificates)
- Store your kit in a convenient place known to all family members. Keep a smaller version of the supplies kit in the trunk of your car.
- Keep items in airtight plastic bags.
- Change your stored water supply every six months so it stays fresh.
- Replace your stored food every six months.
- Re-think your kit and family needs at least once a year. Replace batteries, update clothes, etc.
- Ask your physician or pharmacist about storing prescription medications.
If you need medical attention, you can always turn to one of Forrest Health’s facilities in Picayune, Poplarville, Tylertown, Prentiss, Columbia, Richton, or Hattiesburg. For more information, visit forresthealth.org.
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