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 Storm
Survival
Kit
When you're collecting the supplies that will see you through the storm, make sure you have enough of everything for at least two weeks. Keep those goods in a place familiar to all family members. Keep them in airtight containers or sealed plastic bags.
Everyone's survival kit will be just a little bit different, depending on your personal needs. However there are some basic items that should be included in any survival kit, including
- Clean containers for storing drinking water. Plastic gallon milk jugs are not recommended; they leak easily and do not seal well. Instead, use "Food-Grade" plastic containers that have screw caps, such as 2-liter soda bottles.
- Figure you will need 6 2-liter bottles, (3 gallons), of water per person per day -- 4 2-liter bottles. (2 gallons). for cooking & sanitation and 1 to 2 2-liter bottles, (1 gallon), for drinking, per day.
- Gallon-size freezer bags for making ice. Freeze as many as you can before the storm arrives.
- 2 to 4 gallons of household bleach, without any scent, or 2 percent iodine to purify water.
- Tools, including hammer and nails, ax or hatchet, crowbar, screwdrivers, pliers, duct tape and masking tape, a drill with screwdriver bits and adapters to install bolts, extra fasteners and bolts for shutters, knife, handsaw, hacksaw, staple gun & staples, iron garden rake, shovel.
- A few tarpaulins, canvas of various sizes and/or a roll of or 6-mil plastic sheeting can be invaluable, as is rope, heavy cord or alternatively a spool of builders twine. Get 100 feet or more, it can be useful in many ways. As a clothesline, for example, or tying down a tarp over a broken window or hole in the roof. These are also good for making tents, if necessary.
- A flashlight for each family member, with extra batteries.
- Radio or battery-powered television with extra batteries.
- Fire extinguisher, several if possible or at least one of each class - gas, chemical and water.
- Lantern, with extra fuel.
- Matches: Wooden kitchen matches are best. Keep them dry, in a plastic bag or a plastic film container.
- A charcoal or gas grill with a supply of fuel so that you can cook if you are left without electricity or gas. (Never use such a grill inside.)
- Fuel for your generator or chain saw.
- Sterno or camping stove, with extra fuel
- Oven mitts, for handling hot cookware.
- Eating utensils: Save water you would use for washing by using disposable plates, plastic knives, forks & spoons, and use pre-moistened towelettes for clean-up. Have a two-week supply of paper plates, paper towels and moist towelettes.
- Hand-operated can opener.
- Soap with a covered plastic container. Tightly sealing liquid soaps work best.
- Toiletries and personal care items
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Deodorant
- Sunblock and Sunscreens
- Shampoo, Conditioners are not recommended, you are trying to conserve water use
- Toilet paper: Keep it in plastic bags to keep it dry, expect to use more than normal, so get a little extra.
- Disinfectant.
- Needle and thread.
- Extra prescription medications, enough for a month.
- Mosquito repellents, if possible the six to eight hour mosquito coils.
- Disposable diapers and wipes.
- Cat litter: for your cat or for soaking up spills.
- A month's supply of food for your pets.
- Garbage bags, several boxes, with ties, to collect refuse and store goods to keep them dry.
- Large plastic trash cans with sealable lids work well for the storage of most items. As alternatives, try duffel bags, camping backpacks or waxed cardboard boxes, such as seafood boxes.
- Safety razor blades, for stripping wire, cutting boxes, etc.
- Tent(s), large enough to sleep your entire family, or two or more tents that total enough sleeping area to sleep your entire family.
- Whistle or air horn.
- BB gun or Pellet rifle for dealing with rodents. Wildlife and strays will be looking for food and shelter after the storm too.
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Last Revised: October 05, 2006 11:53 PM. |
