In the US areas located near the Atlantic Hurricane Basin, hurricanes are unfortunately common. Residents in Florida, Mississippi, South Carolina and others know to be ready and prepared for those few months a year in case the weather can stir up and become damaging and potentially deadly. But when you have a Hurricane Preparedness Kit - it could potentially be a life saver. These kits bring together all of the major needs to be ready for a hurricane. Here is what you need in yours:
The Basics
- Water: You need a minimum of one gallon of fresh, clean water per day per person
- Food: You want to pack at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food. Some great examples would be granola bars or beef jerky. *Pack a can opener to open canned foods.
- First Aid Kit: You need to be ready to handle the basics - cuts, scrapes, and burns.
- Flashlight: A flashlight is a necessity and can come in handy at any moment. It is also necessary to pack extra batteries.
- Radio: A battery-powered or hand crank radio is actually crucial for staying up to date on weather information. Pack extra batteries for this tool as well.
- Multi-Tool with Wrench and Pliers: Necessary for turning off utilities such as gas and water systems.
- Chargers: Keep your phone charged so that you can communicate with emergency services when it matters most. Car chargers and wall chargers are needed.
- Change of clothes: Wet clothes can cause hypothermia, so make sure to have an extra set of clothing for each person.
- Signal Whistle: Necessary incase alerting officials to find you and your family.
- Local maps: in case your phone is unable to work in the area that you are, local maps are necessary so that you can locate where you would need to go for safety or to alert the officials where you are incase of needing rescue.
- Blankets/Sleeping Bags: These are a must for keeping your family members warm and safe - hurricane weather is often quite cold and very windy.
- Important Documents: Keep copies of your most critical documents with you in a sealed bag or waterproof container.
- Gasoline: Gasoline shortages are common among hurricanes so it's important to have a full gas can ready to go.
- Cash: Can come in handy in all kinds of circumstances. A few hundred dollars would be smart to have on hand. Keep in a bag or waterproof container.
- Medication: Any medication that your family takes as well as the basic OTC medications such as pain relievers, antacids, and cold medicine.
- Feminine Hygiene Products: Necessary for any female
Next Steps
- Towels: Clean things up, dry things off, and keep warm with towels.
- Disposable dining ware: Paper plates and plasticware can help with eating on the road.
- Kids entertainment: Packing a few small toys, books, paper and crayons is great to keep kids distracted from the crazy and scary experience of a hurricane.
- Hand Sanitizer: Great for quick sanitation when clean running water isn't around
Shelter
- Plastic Sheet and Duct Tape: Necessary for sealing off doors and windows to prevent water entering
- Plastic Garbage Bags: Great for many applications and can easily be rolled or folded into a tight area of your bag to take up minimal space.
- Fire Extinguisher: Critical for protecting you from a fire while sheltering in place
- Cleaning Supplies: Critical for cleaning up spills and bathroom waste if necessary
These are all necessary to have in your Hurricane Preparedness Kit. Ritz Safety offers hundreds of options and help for hurricane preparedness and hurricane clean-up. Contact us TODAY - WeCare@RitzSafety.com