As Hurricane Sandy batters the East Coast today residents are still hurrying to stock pile emergency supplies. When it comes to being prepared for a natural disaster it can be hard to know what you will need to ride out the storm. Here are a few things every home should have when a major storm hits.
Water
Safe drinking water is the number one thing that should be readily available when a storm arrives. Plan on having at least a three day supply of fresh water on hand; a good rule of thumb is one gallon per person per day.
Food
Should you lose the power for several days, you will need non-perishable food items at the ready. Canned goods, granola bars, dried fruits and nuts and boxed items will stay fresh for a long time without refrigeration and will sustain you until stores reopen.
Battery-powered radio
In the event of a power outage it is important to stay in touch with warnings and advisories. Keep a battery-powered or hand crack radio in your home so that you will not be disconnected from news and alerts.
Flashlight and candles
You don’t want to be left in the dark in case of a power outage. Keep flashlights and candles on hand so that you will be able to find your way around your home and reduce your risk of personal injury.
First aid kit
Accidents happen and they are even more likely to happen in the chaos caused by natural disasters. A well-equipped first aid kit should contain: antibiotic ointment, latex gloves, sterile bandages, cleansing towelettes or soap, adhesive bandages and eye wash solution.
If you know a storm is coming, it is also a good idea to keep all cell phone and laptop batteries at full charge to ensure maximum life if the power does go out. A little preparation ahead of time can be the difference between an inconvenience and an emergency once disaster strikes.
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