An effective way to ensure your family’s safety during hurricane season is to construct an emergency hurricane kit. This kit should include all of the materials that you may need if forced to evacuate during a hurricane. One of the most common mistakes many homeowners make is to consider a hurricane to be a “worst-case scenario”. In reality, being prepared for a hurricane can go a long way towards ensuring that you and your family are safe. Here are a few simple tips that will help you to construct a hurricane kit for your family.
Hurricane Kit Step 1 – Gather your supplies.
Your kit needs to contain items that can provide for the food, water, shelter and medical needs of your family for at least three days. In addition to this, the kit should be constructed in a way in which it can be easily transported during evacuations. Here are some of the basic supplies you will require for your family hurricane kit.
Food
To ensure that your family has enough emergency food in your hurricane kit, begin by estimating how many calories each person in your family will require for a three-day period. The most space-efficient way to store enough food for each person is to purchase vacuum-sealed emergency food rations. These rations are designed to be high-calorie and non-thirst provoking, as is best for emergency situations.
Water
Since storing water in your emergency hurricane kit can add a significant amount of weight, it may be more efficient for you to instead include water purification items in your kit. To purify water, you have several options. You can purchase iodine tablets, iodine crystals, a hand-operated water filter, or an electronic filter. Depending on your budget, you may want to invest in a high-quality water filtration device.
Shelter
Most hurricane kits have an emergency shelter that can be used in the event you have to leave your home. There are some two-to-three person tents that are designed to be space-efficient, which can be easily included in your emergency kit. If you are on a budget, you can purchase a simple plastic “tube” shelter for under $20. Be sure to include enough emergency blankets for all members of your family.
Medical
This is perhaps one of the more complicated areas of your family hurricane kit. It’s difficult to know which items will be useful in the event of an emergency. To help guide you in selecting items for your kit, it’s best to choose to include items that will aid in some of the most common medical conditions that can occur during a hurricane. This includes bruising, broken bones, dehydration, difficulty breathing and other physical injuries. Items such as splint material, electrolyte solution, bandages, antibacterial ointment and pressure-activated cold packs are very important.
Other Items
There are several other items that it can be beneficial to have in your emergency hurricane kit. This includes a flashlight or lantern, a hand powered radio, candles and waterproof matches, among other items.
Hurricane Kit Step 2 – Choose a container for your kit
It’s essential to remember that your kit needs to be easily portable in the event of an evacuation. Because of this, it is best if you assemble your kit in a duffel bag with durable carrying straps. If you wish to waterproof the items in your kit, you can seal them individually in plastic bags.
Hurricane Kit Step 3 – Place your kit in an easily accessible area.
Since your kit needs to be designed for “grab-and-go” situations, it’s best if you place your kit in an area where it can be accessed at any time. Common spots for emergency hurricane kits include coat closets, on top of bookshelves, in a small floor-level cabinet and even in the trunk of your car.
Related posts:
- How to Keep your Family Safe during a Hurricane During inclement weather conditions, safety must be your first priority....