Disaster Supply Kit

Here in South Florida we are waiting yet again to see if we will be effected by the most recent Hurricane (Ike). We are not sitting idly, though. We are boarding up our homes, and laying in the most essential hurricane/disaster supplies.

One of the most important items to have is a good, portable cookstove. A charcoal or gas grill is also good to have on hand, with an ample supply of fuel. Be prepared to be without power for at least a week, maybe two weeks. Another essential item to have is a cooler to store some food items and ice.

Here is a list of food items to keep on hand in case of emergency or disaster. This list is good for any area of the country, whether you are snowed in by a blizzard, freezing weather, or wind storm.

• Bottled water
• Instant coffee
• Instant tea
• Powdered coffee creamer
• Powdered milk
• Pancake mix (the kind that requires water only)
• Cans of evaporated milk
• Soft drinks
• Eggs
• Bread
• Rice
• Saltine Crackers
• Wheat Thins
• Tortillas or Wraps
• Peanut butter
• Jelly
• Canned and jarred meats and fish, such as chicken, sardines and tuna
• Apples
• Oranges
• Bananas
• Other fresh fruit in season
• Raisins
• Dried fruit
• Canned fruit
• Applesauce
• Canned and bottled juice
• Cereal
• Peanuts, cashews, almonds, etc.
• Cheese
• Honey
• PowerBars or other meal replacement protein bars
• Cookies
• Marshmallows (Fun for the kids when cooking outside)
• Spaghetti
• Spaghetti sauce
• Packaged sliced deli meats (turkey, ham, etc.)
• Canned beans
• Rotel's Diced Tomatoes & Chile Peppers
• Canned soups
• Ready made baby formula
• Jars of baby food

In addition you should also have the following suppies:

• Prescription medications, at least a one week supply
• Contact lens supplies
• Anti-diarrhea medication
• Cold medications
• Tylenol or Motrin
• Antibiotic ointment (like Neosporin or Bacitracin)
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Rubbing Alcohol
• Insect repellent

And don't forget your pets!

• Pet food
• Pet prescription medications
• Treats
• Water for your pets

Other essential supplies to have on hand are:

• Battery operated lanterns
• Flashlights
• Batteries
• Candles
• Matches
• Extra cash (ATM's and store credit card machines don't work w/out power)
• Baby supplies - diapers, wipes, baby food and ready made formula, medicines, etc.
• Fully charged cellular phones
• Trash bags - the really big ones
• Mops and buckets for clean up
• Gallon size freezer bags - use them to make ice a few days before the storm is expected fill with water and freeze
• Tools - hammer, screwdrivers, ax or hatchet, pliers, etc.
• Household bleach
• Battery operated radio
• Telephone that does not need electricity to use (landline)
• Paper supplies - napkins, paper towels, toilet paper
• Paper plates and plastic eating utensils

This is by no means a complete list, but maybe it will help you get a good start on setting up your own disaster supply kit. Let me know if I have left something out.

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