Essential Emergency Supplies for Families

Mother Nature is very unpredictable so it is best to always have an emergency kit on hand for your family. It is better to prepare in advance rather than waiting until the last minute to gather the essential items that you and your family may need to survive a disaster.

Lanterns and flashlights are useful during power outages. Candles can produce light if needed but they can be unsafe. Lanterns can provide a lot more light than a candle can and you do not have to worry about the risk of an accidental fire. The lanterns that use LED lights can last a long time, just make sure you have batteries to operate the lantern successfully!

Flashlights come in handy during power outages because they are small and can be given to each member of the family. Children love to have their own flashlight to use especially during a power outage because it makes them feel safe when the house is in darkness.

It is important to have an alternate heating source especially during the winter months because most home heating is ran off of electricity. You can purchase a kerosene heater to use as a back up source of heat if needed during an extended power outage.

You should routinely check to make sure your back up heating source is working properly before you might have to use it. You do not want to find out after the fact that it can not be used! If you are using back up heating sources make sure you also have working battery operated carbon monoxide detectors to keep you and your family safe!

A first aid kit should be available to accommodate every member of your family in case of an emergency. The kit should include peroxide, bandages, antibiotic cream, etc. You can also include any medications that you may need during an emergency situation.

In the event of a storm or other force of nature that may keep you indoors for a period of time without power you should have enough water and food for every member of your family. Each person should have about one gallon of water per day. You want to make sure that you have enough nonperishable food items such as canned goods, cereal, etc. It is important to have a manual can opener because the electric ones will not work if the power goes out! You also want to make sure that you have food and water for your pets.

If you receive your water through a well system you will need a backup plan for sanitation purposes. The well pump will not work without power. You will not be able to wash your hands, dishes, or flush the toilet. If you are expecting bad weather conditions that can threaten the power you can fill the bathtub with water to use for sanitation purposes.

Batteries are essential to your emergency supply kit. You need batteries for just about everything from flashlights to radios when you have a power outage. Do not wait until the last minute to purchase batteries for an expected storm because by the time you get to the store to purchase them there may not be any left! You should always have a stock of batteries on hand for your lanterns, flashlights, and emergency radios.