In an emergency, it pays to be prepared—and for homeowners, that means having the essentials readily accessible at a moment’s notice. Keep your emergency kit stocked with these necessities:

- Battery-powered smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, plus extra batteries
- Battery-powered or hand-crank NOAA weather radio with tone alert, plus extra batteries
- Blankets
- Candles
- Cell phone with charger adapter and extra battery
- Compass
- Extra shoes
- First-aid kit
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- Flint, lighter or waterproof matches to start fires
- Garbage bags
- Hand-crank light with solar charger
- Laminated area map
- Landline phone that operates without electrical power
- Manual can opener
- Manufactured fire logs or firewood, for heating and cooking
- Medications
- Moist towelettes
- Non-perishable food for at least 10 days
- One gallon of water per person per day for at least 10 days, for drinking and sanitation
- Pet supplies
- Plastic ties
- Sleeping bags
- Special needs items for children, seniors or people with disabilities
- Warm clothing, including gloves, hand warmers and hats

For more information on preparing for emergencies, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website at www.cdc.gov, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) website at www.fema.gov, or the American Red Cross website at www.redcross.org.

Source: Enviro-Log, Inc.

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