Essentials
• Flashlights and extra bulbs
• Clock (wind-up or battery-operated)
• Battery-operated radio
• Extra batteries
• Toilet paper
• Matches (Look in camping stores for waterproof matches)
• Scissors
• Plastic garbage bags
• An inexpensive rabbit-ears television antenna to use when cable goes out
• Working fire extinguisher
• Clean change of clothes, rain gear, sturdy swamp boots you would not mind throwing away
• Fully charged battery-operated lanterns. Don't use candles and kerosene lanterns. They are fire hazards.
• Map of the area
• List of phone numbers
• Copy of insurance policy
Emergency toilet
• Garbage can with tight lid
• Plastic bags for liners
• Disinfectant or bleach
• Deodorizer
• Extra toilet paper
Baby needs
• Disposable diapers
• Wipes
• Diaper-rash ointment
• Baby medicines
• Medicine dropper
• Extra formula, baby food
Food supplies
• Get enough nonperishable foods now to last two weeks. Then put them in a box and leave them alone. Note: Canned and other prepared foods that are salty or dry or high in fat or protein might make for good provisions, but they'll also make you thirsty.
• Water: 2 quarts to 1 gallon per person per day (get a week's supply); have extra for mixing powdered drinks
• Ice or dry ice
• Shelf-stable juice and milk boxes
• Canned and powdered milk
• Beverages (powdered or canned, fruit juices, instant coffee, tea
• Raw vegetables that don't need refrigeration (will last only a few days)
• Canned vegetables and fruits
• Dried fruits
• Prepared foods (canned soups, beef, spaghetti, tuna, chicken, ham, corned beef hash, packaged pudding)
• Snacks (crackers, cookies, hard candy, unsalted nuts)
• Snack spreads (peanut butter, cheese spreads, jelly)
• Cereals
• Sugar, salt, pepper
• Bread
• Dry and canned pet food
Kitchen supplies
• Waterless hand sanitizer
• Manual can opener
• Water purification tablets
• Bottle opener
• Matches in a plastic bag
• Pocket knife
• Camp stove or other cooking device and plenty of fuel. Use only canned fuel indoors - never charcoal or gas. Buy extra gas or charcoal to use in well ventilated space after storm has passed.
• Ice chests or coolers
• Paper plates, napkins, plastic cups, plastic utensils
• Disposable pans for cooking
• Plastic bags, jugs or containers for water and ice
Hardware
• Hand tools: hammer, screwdrivers to use now, shovel and pickax for after the storm
• Power screwdriver
• 4-by-8-foot sheets of plywood 5/8-inches thick to put over your windows
• Quarter-inch machine screw sockets and screws
• Plastic sheeting to cover furniture
• Rope
• Sturdy working gloves
• Duct tape to waterproof items
• Masking tape isn't strong enough
• Canvas tarps
• Nails. There are many kinds, so look over your home now and determine what you will need. A nail too small, the wrong shape or hammered in wrong will fail, and that will give the storm the breach it needs to get into your home.
Medical supplies
Drugstores will be mobbed just before a storm and closed for days after. Keep a two-week supply of prescription drugs. Your first-aid kit should include:
• First-aid kit and handbook
• Insect repellent sprays
• Citronella candles
• Insect bite lotion
• Petroleum jelly, for relieving itching
• Ointments for burns, cuts
• Antiseptic solution
• Sunscreen
• Extra over-the-counter medicine (for colds, allergies, cough)
• Aspirin, acetaminophen, antacid tablets
• Children's medicines
• Diarrhea medication
• Feminine hygiene items
• Incontinence supplies
• Rubbing alcohol
• Iodine
• Disinfectant
• Soap in plastic bags
• Moist towelette packets
Other supplies
• Medic Alert tags
• Thermometer
• Hypoallergenic adhesive tape
• Cotton-tipped swabs
• Sterile rolls
• Sterile adhesive bandages
• Sterile gauze pads
• Roller bandages
• Scissors
• Tweezers
• Needles
• Plastic sheeting
• Adhesive tape
• Safety pins
• Latex gloves
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