Storms and Catastrophes
Many experts recommend the following list of items be kept on hand in the event of an extended power outage. This is a minimum list of items. Your unique circumstances and needs may dictate more items. These items should be readily accessible and easily portable in the event you are evacuated from your home for any reason.
FOOD
Canned and/or non-perishable foods and a non-electric can opener (3 to 10 day or more supply is recommended)
A heat source for cooking such as a Coleman Stove
Pot for cooking/heating food or boiling water if necessary
WATER
Bottled water – A MINIMUM of 1 gallon per family member, per day (i.e. 4 people for 10 days would be 40 gallons)
A portable water filter (i.e. Brita, Pur, etc) for water needs above bottled water on hand.
LIGHT
Working Flashlight – Preferably one in each room of your house and one in each car/truck
Candles (be careful!)
POWER and COMMUNICATION
Generator or Invertor
Portable radio – Preferably one with a Weather Band on it AND Extra batteries
SAFETY
Fire extinguisher
FIRST AID
Essential prescription medications for several days and a First aid kit/first aid book
A kit containing a MINIMUM of the following:
- Two pairs of Latex or other sterile gloves if you are allergic to Latex
- Sterile dressings to stop bleeding
- Cleansing agent/soap and antibiotic towelettes
- Antibiotic ointment
- Burn ointment
- Adhesive bandages in a variety of sizes
- Eye wash solution to flush the eyes or as general decontaminant
- Thermometer
- Prescription medications you take every day such as insulin, heart medicine and asthma inhalers. You should periodically rotate medicines to account for expiration dates.
- Prescribed medical supplies such as glucose and blood pressure monitoring equipment and supplies
- Your preferred pain reliever
- Anti-diarrhea medication such as Imodium
- Antacid
- Laxative
- Scissors
- Tweezers
- Tube of petroleum jelly or other lubricant
SHELTER
Blankets
Plywood or plastic to cover windows
A wrench to turn off utilities
SOME OTHER VALUABLE ITEMS
A tarp
Waterproof matches and/or a lighter
A supply of cash in the event you are displaced from your home and the bank/ATM’s are not accessible
Paper and Pencil
Personal Hygiene Items
Paper plates, cups, towels, and plastic utensils
Unique Items such as denture needs, contact lenses, spare eye glasses,
Several days change of clean clothing – VERY IMPORTANT!
IMPORTANT PAPERS
Keep a copy of important insurance documents along with a list of telephone numbers that you think you’ll need in the event of an emergency
The more you prepare in advance, the less you have to be victim and one of the masses at the stores when disaster strikes!
Be safe out there !
For more information about Meramec Valley,
or to find an agent near you, visit
https://meramecvalley.com/for-an-agent-near-you