Monday, November 30, 2009

Stash Some Cash for Emergencies

Many things that we take for granted are not available when there is no power. ATM machines may not work. Grocery and other stores, if open, may not be able to accept your credit or debit card. Cash could be the only acceptable means to make a purchase. Some experts say you should have at minimum $150.00 in cash stashed away. Realizing this may not be possible for everyone, any amount is good to start with. Take $1.00 dollar a week and place it in an envelope in your emergency kit. In just a little time, you will have some cash stashed away for use in emergencies.

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Emergency Supplies for your Pet

Think about your pet. Can your pet tolerate the cold for a period of time? Is your pet on special medications or a specific diet? If lost, could your pet be identified? These are things that must be considered when gathering supplies for your pet. An emergency supply list for your pet may include:

• An additional leash with collar, and identification tag for your cat(s) and/or your dog(s)
• Verification of rabies and other vaccinations, registration paperwork, or adoption papers placed in your family emergency kit
• Pet sweater or blanket, especially if your pet can not tolerate cold temperatures
• A supply of prescription medication
• Special dietary food, if needed
• A crate or carrier appropriate to your pet’s size

Consider micro-chipping and enrolling your pet in a recovery database. Talk to your veterinarian for more information. If you have unusual pets such as birds, lizards, fish, etc., talk to your veterinarian or local pet specialty store for advice on protecting them during emergencies.

Monday, November 16, 2009

Emergency Supply Kits

Emergency Supply Kits
During an emergency, a small kit containing important emergency items will make any situation easier to handle. This kit can be developed for different situations depending on what you and your family need to better survive an emergency. Determine the type of kit to make, then look around the house for supplies that you already have on hand. The following is a list of emergency supply kits that are simple to create using just a few items:

•Sanitation kit – moist towelettes, garbage bags, toilet paper, waterless hand cleaner
•Breathing protection kit – dust masks, plastic sheeting, duct tape
•Cooking kit – waterproof matches, a manual can opener, paper plates, plastic utensils, a small pot or pan, portable grill or camp stove (never use indoors!)
•Lighting kit – windup flashlight, car cigarette lighter rechargeable lantern, extra batteries, or light sticks
•Basic tool kit– hammer, wrench, utility knife, screwdriver, nails
•Medical kit- extra prescription medication (or a list of medications, doses and prescribing doctors), band-aids, pain relievers, antacids, vitamins, first aid kit
•Communication kit – phone with cord (landline phone), prepaid calling card, car charger for cell phone, important contact numbers

Other emergency items may include a whistle to signal for help, battery-powered radio, local maps and important documents, such as insurance policy numbers.

Monday, November 2, 2009

November- Getting Emergency Supplies Month



You have probably heard of a "72 hour kit" or a "disaster supply kit", but what does that really mean for your household? Disasters are stressful times. By taking a few minutes now to think about what you would need in a disaster you save a lot of anxiety and inconvenience later on.


THE GOAL: Be prepared to handle emergencies without outside assistance for 72 hours.
Do One Thing (choose one thing to do this month)

Gather your emergency supplies in an accessable place.
Stash some cash in case ATMs and credit card machines are not usable in a disaster.
Create an emergency supply kit for your pet.
Have at least one regular phone that is not cordeless.