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Hurricane Guide 2006	Hurricane Preparation Guide 2006

Essentials for your hurricane kit

By JUDY STARK
Published April 16, 2006

Food and drink:

Drinking water: 1 gallon per person per day.

Nonperishable food supplies: enough to see you through the first few days. A severe storm can interrupt delivery of fresh food to stores. You need to be ready to feed yourself until stores restock and reopen.

Comfort foods to relieve stress (cookies, pastries).

Toilet paper, paper towels, plates and napkins, plastic tableware and drinking cups, wet wipes, plastic wrap, trash bags.

Two coolers: one for food, one for ice.

Manual can opener.

Health and safety:

Flashlight and batteries for each person in your household.

First aid kit with bandages, antiseptic, tape, compresses, pain reliever, antidiarrhea medication, antacid.

Medications for routine illnesses such as colds.

Liquid soap, hand sanitizer, wet wipes.

Water purification kit.

Two-week supply of vitamins, over-the-counter medications and prescription medicines.

Fire extinguisher.

Battery-powered clock.

Infant necessities: medicine, diapers, formula, bottles, wipes.

Supplies for the elderly or the ill: Depends, bed pads, medications, special foods.

Miscellaneous:

Cleaning supplies: mop, bucket, towels, disinfectant.

Camera or camcorder to record property and document damage for insurance claims.

Plastic trash bags.

If you evacuate:

Pillows, blankets, sleeping bags or air mattresses.

Folding chairs or cots.

Extra clothing and shoes.

Personal hygiene items: toothbrush, washcloth, deodorant, etc.

Food and water.

Earplugs. Shelters can be noisy, and someone sleeping near you may snore.

Prescription medications in their original containers. Shelters are not hospitals and do not have access to drugs or medicine. Bring what you need.

Books, handheld games, cards, toys, needlework, iPod.

Be sure you have . . .

Cash. If the power goes out, ATMs will not work and credit card networks will be down.

Ice.

Paperwork: insurance policy, identification, home inventory, medical insurance card.

Cell phone charger for your car; land-line phone - one that's wired to the wall, not wireless.

A full tank of gas.

[Last modified April 13, 2006, 16:15:18]