Tornado Safety and Preparedness

All-Weather Prep: Things to Always Have In Your Home in Case of Emergency

Help protect your family against potential weather disasters and emergency situations by compiling an emergency supply kit. Check your kit every few months to make sure nothing is out of date. Perishable items should be changed or replaced every six months.

When putting together your disaster supply kit, one of the first items to include is enough water for the entire family. Government agencies recommend at least three gallons per person per day as a rule of thumb. Store this in plastic, food-grade containers. And don't forget some extra water for sanitary use.

Keep reading to learn what other supplies you should have ready in case of emergency.

Food

You should have at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food that requires no refrigeration or preparation and little or no water. These are some suggestions of food items to keep tucked away in case of an emergency or severe weather.

Dry cereal
Peanut butter
Canned fruits
Canned vegetables
Canned juice
Ready-to-eat canned meats
Ready-to-eat soups (not concentrated)
Quick energy snacks, graham crackers

First Aid Kit

Just like food and water, you don't want to be stuck in a disaster situation without a first aid kit. It's a god idea to prepare one for your home and one for each car. Here's a list of items to consider as you put together your first aid kit.

Scissors
Thermometer
Tweezers
Needle
Sunscreen
Cleansing agent/soap
Latex gloves (2 pairs)
Tongue blades (2)
Moistened towelettes
Assorted sizes of safety pins
2" sterile gauze pads (4-6)
4" sterile gauze pads (4-6)
2" sterile roller bandages (3 rolls)
3" sterile roller bandages (3 rolls)
Triangular bandages (3)
Petroleum jelly or other lubricant
Sterile adhesive bandages in assorted sizes

Non-Prescription Drugs

Medical woes can strike in good weather and bad. Just as you have your medicine cabinet at home stocked with some essential over-the-counter drugs, stock your emergency supply kit with a variety of items you may need.

Laxative
Anti-diarrhea medication
Aspirin or non-aspirin pain reliever
Antacid
Activated charcoal (use if advised by the Poison Control Center)
Syrup of ipecac (use to induce vomiting if advised by the Poison Control Center)

Tools and Supplies

Whether you're stuck in a house without power or stranded in a car on an evacuation route, these tools and supplies can come in handy in emergency situations. Create a pack of tools for your home and for each car that may hit the road.

Whistle
Crowbar
Paper, pencil
Medicine dropper
Needles, thread
Signal flare
Assorted nails, wood screws
Plastic storage containers
Cash or traveler's checks, change
Tape, duct and plumber's tape or strap iron
Patch kit and can of seal-in-air for tires
Shut-off wrench, to turn off household gas and water
Aluminum foil
Plastic sheeting
Compass
Matches in a waterproof container
Pliers, screwdriver, hammer
Heavy cotton or hemp rope
Non-electric can opener, utility knife
Mess kits, or paper cups, plates and plastic utensils
Map of the area (for locating shelters)

Personal Hygiene and Medical Items

In an emergency situation, you could be in close quarters with other people for a prolonged amount of time. Make it more bearable by packing some basic personal hygiene items in your disaster supply kit.

Disinfectant
Soap, liquid detergent
Feminine supplies
Toilet paper, towelettes, paper towels
Plastic garbage bags, ties (for personal sanitation uses)
Household chlorine bleach
Personal hygiene items
Plastic bucket with tight lid
Insulin
Prescription drugs
Denture needs
Extra eye glasses
Contact lenses and supplies
Heart and high blood pressure medication

Clothing and Bedding

Disaster could strike during a hurricane in the middle of summer or in the form of a blizzard during colder months. Make sure your kit is ready for any type of weather situation (as is applicable to your location) and have the following items on hand.

Sunglasses
Hat and gloves
Blankets or sleeping bags
One complete change of clothing and footwear per person
Rain gear
Sturdy shoes or work boots
Thermal underwear

Baby Supplies

Have a newborn in tow? Don't forget to pack a baby bag with these essential items.

Formula
Bottles
Powdered milk
Diapers
Medication

Pet Supplies

The same goes for your pets. Make sure you have enough food, water and other supplies for each pet.

Food
Leash, harness or carrier
Records of vaccinations
Spill-proof food and water containers

Important Family Documents

Important documents should be kept in a flame-proof and water-proof location to begin with. Consider making that container portable so you can easily stow it in your car or emergency shelter when disaster strikes.

Important telephone numbers
Record of bank account numbers
Family records (birth, marriage, death certificates)
Inventory of valuable household goods
Copy of will, insurance policies, contracts, deeds, stocks and bonds
Record of credit card account numbers and companies
Copy of passports, social security cards, immunization records

Entertainment

Nobody wants to be stuck for hours (or days) on end, but be prepared in the event that you are. Have a stash of board games and books on hand in case the power goes out (or your battery dies) and you don't have access to your Netflix instant queue.