Making a Survival Kit

How to Prepare Your Emergency Hurricane Kit

Have you prepared your emergency hurricane kit? Here comes the hurricane season again, arming yourself with the right tools and knowledge is necessary. Last year only 3 major hurricanes hit the US, but the damage was massive. 11 billion dollars worth of properties were damaged and at least 350 people lost their lives. Preparation is the best defense to this type of disaster and being ready with your disaster supply kit is the most important component of your survival. What kind of preparation have you made so far? Do you have an evacuation plan? This are the questions you must answer. We all know that protecting our home during the hurricane season is one of the most difficult task to do before a hurricane strike. Besides this, the preparation of an emergency hurricane kit must also be done. Updating your list from time to time before the hurricane season is the best answer to this. Usually, we only remember to update our list before the last minute. Having the right tools and preparation is not enough, we should be time cautious as well. Usually, there are several types of emergency hurricane kits available for sale in the market this are nice to have but, making sure that they fit your needs should be done as well.

What are the contents of your emergency hurricane kit?

These are the basic contents of an emergency bags, you should adjust these contents to the number of person in your household and their special needs. Listing down the materials that you need in advance (at least 2 weeks before the hurricane season) gives you more time in preparing and updating your plans and emergency hurricane kit. Be sure that you have all your basic needs in your kit at all times.

Water – Being the most important content of your emergency box, you should include enough for the members of your household. The National Hurricane center suggests 1 gallon per person per day, which is enough for drinking and personal hygiene. Make sure that the water you include in your emergency hurricane kit is potable and enough to last everyone for 72 hours or more.

Food – When choosing a variety of food for your emergency hurricane kit choose foods that are easy to prepare, requires no refrigeration and are low in salt. He best are canned meat, fruits and vegetables. Also add food that are good sources of energy like granola bars, dried meats. Since food expires, make sure that you update your list quarterly and check on the expiration dates of each one.

Clothes – One set of clothes (including footwear) should be included in your emergency hurricane kit. Choose clothes that can provide adequate heat but are comfortable enough. If an infant is in the house, make sure that there are disposable diapers included in your kit and extra clothes as well.

First aid kit – Include items like gauze, tapes, scissors, antibacterial cream and wound disinfecting solutions. Also include some over the counter medicines like aspirin, anti-diarrhea etc. It is best that you also keep activated charcoal in your emergency hurricane kit in case of poisoning.

Other supplies – Pack your emergency hurricane kit with vigilance in mind. If you have included canned foods, include a manual can opener in your kit. An emergency radio should also be included, flashlights, fresh batteries and all medical paraphernalia a family member might need. Also include matches, whistles, flares and materials for entertainment in case a child member is present.

Include all your important documents in your emergency hurricane kit place them in a water proof container.

Plan ahead, include identification in all your kits and let someone know if you are evacuating. You should have an outside of the state contact and your children should know what to do and who to contact when they get separated from you.

Is your emergency hurricane kit all you need?

The answer is no, you should prepare other things, your house, your insurance and your pet if you have one. Your preparation should not end when you have completed your emergency hurricane kit. This is just the beginning. Plan your evacuation plan if the need arises, rehearse this with family members and adjust it as you see fit. Listen to the news and be on the know. Include all family members with the preparation. You should have enough practice to make everything perfect. Talk to your insurance agent and check if your coverage is enough. Trim down trees and bushes near your house. Tie down furniture outside your house to prevent it from hitting your house. Make sure that all shutters are properly installed. Listen to your emergency radio at all times.  If the emergency does happen, use the contents of your emergency hurricane kit wisely.