Home Emergency Preparedness Tips

Food and Water

• After an emergency, you may not have access to food and water for days. The Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, recommends that families have at least three days of food and water on hand in case of emergencies. The minimum recommendations are 1 gallon of water per person per day for drinking and washing and enough non-perishable food for three days, but you can keep a larger amount of supplies on hand.

  The American Red Cross recommends a two-week supply in the home. You should plan on keeping food items that you can prepare without power or gas. Plastic forks, plates and cups should be included in your kit. Keep your food supplies in a duffel bag in a safe place and keep an eye on food expiration dates. Include high-energy foods such as peanut butter and energy bars.

Plans

• An emergency plan ensures that all members of the family know what to do in the event of a disaster. The plan should include an emergency contact number that all family members can use to communicate in the event the family is separated.

  Your emergency plan should include evacuation procedures in the event of natural disasters such as hurricanes, floods, fires or earthquakes. Determine in advance the situations that will cause you to leave your home and seek shelter elsewhere.

  Give each member of the family a responsibility or job during the emergency. Choose a place for the family to meet near your home during emergencies such as fire, and outside of town in case of evacuation. Practice the plan with the family twice a year to ensure everyone remembers what to do. Plan where you will stay in case of evacuation, such as a hotel or motel, with family or in a shelter.

First Aid

• Your emergency kit should contain first aid supplies and a seven-day supply of medication for all members of the family. Include blankets, sanitation supplies and personal hygiene products for everyone in the household.

Miscellaneous Items

• Include batteries, candles, flashlights and a battery-operated radio in your emergency kit. Keep insurance paperwork, medication lists, medical information, birth certificates and passports together so you can grab them and go in the event that you have to leave your house in a hurry. Keep your cell phone charger and phone with you for emergencies as well. Your kit should also include one change of clothing for everyone in the family.

Cash

• Keep cash on hand in your home in case of emergencies, including power outages. Banks and credit cards may not provide you with accessible cash if power is out. The amount of money you keep on hand depends on your emergency plan. For example, if your plan is to leave the home for a hotel or motel, you may want to include enough money to pay for your shelter.

Pets

• Don't forget to include your pets in your emergency plan. You should map out hotels and motels that allow your pets, or find a shelter or family member who can take in your pets in case of emergency. You should have enough food and water in your emergency kit to take care of your pet for a minimum of three days.