A Common-Sense Emergency Plan
Find out how to build an emergency kit for any disaster, natural or man-made. Plus, we'll guide you to the most reliable information on the Web.
By Erin Burt, Contributing Editor, Kiplinger.com
March 19, 2003
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Disasters happen. And despite the code oranges and runs on bottled water, plastic sheeting and duct tape, you are more likely to be the victim of a natural disaster, than a man-made one. In either case, A cool head and good ol' common sense are your best protections.
Evacuation kit
There may come a time when you have to leave your home quickly. Creating a grab-and-go survival kit with food, water and supplies to last at least three days will help hold you over until your situation stabilizes.
You can buy a basic, pre-made 72-hour kit for a family of four at The Red Cross Shop for $89 to $118. More comprehensive kits cost between $50 and $175 per person at other online retailers like Emergency Essentials and Emergency Preparedness Center.
You might be able to assemble your own kit at a lower cost with items around your house and a few extras.
For portability, pack your 72-hour kit in a backpack or duffel bag. Store individual items in resealable plastic bags to block moisture and keep things organized. You should include a first-aid kit ($5 to $15 at most drugstores) sanitation items and foods that pack well, like beef jerky, dried fruits, nuts, boxed juices, peanut butter, high-energy bars and vitamins.
Sporting goods stores like REI and Camping World are good resources for survival supplies like a battery-powered radio, emergency blankets and hand warmers. For a complete list of recommended items, see the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) checklist.
Whether you buy a pre-made kit or make your own, personalize it with an extra set of house and car keys, a pair of prescription glasses or contact lenses, medications and other special items for pets, infants or elderly family members.
If you have to evacuate, be sure you also have key financial documents handy, too. See Financial Emergency Kit for a list of what you should include and more steps to secure your finances.
Get a tune up
If the need arises to evacuate, you'll want to make sure your car is reliable. Keep up-to-date on maintenance and repairs, and never let the fuel dip below half-tank before refilling.
Although you should grab your 72-hour kit before evacuating, an emergency car kit can come in handy in case disaster strikes on the road. In addition to jumper cables, flares, flashlight and tools, include a first aid kit, blankets, a shovel, tissues, drinking water and nonperishable food like fruit juice and energy bars.
In the glove box, make sure you have regional and local maps with evacuation routes highlighted. And toss in an old cell phone-even if it doesn't have a service carrier, you may still be able to use it to dial 911 (check with the phone manufacturer to make sure).
Stock up
There's no need to stockpile a horde of supplies in your basement, but FEMA recommends that you keep enough food and water in your home to sustain your family at least two weeks.
For each day, store one gallon of water per person. But you needn't buy pricey bottled water. At about $1.50 to $2 per gallon, you could spend over $100 to hydrate four people for two weeks. Instead, FEMA suggests you bottle it yourself in empty plastic soda containers. Before filling, sanitize the bottles with a solution of one part bleach to ten parts water. If your water is treated commercially by a water utility, you don't need to treat the water before storing it. Store the water in a cool, dark place and change the water every six months.
Stock up on canned goods, dry mixes and other foods that store well. (Don't forget a manual can opener.) Collect food you normally eat, so you can rotate it into family meals-instead of buying a 50-lb bag of oatmeal that may spoil before you ever use it.
And you don't need to spend hundreds of dollars at one time to fill your cupboards. Spread out the cost by purchasing a few extra items each time you go to the store, or buy a little extra when favorite items are on sale.
Prepare your family
Organization is the key to your safety and for knowing what to do in an emergency.
Establish an evacuation plan and select a meeting place. Pick two locations for your family to meet: Right outside your home in case of a sudden emergency, and outside your neighborhood in case you can't return home.
Learn what to do in specific events. The Department of Homeland Security details instructions for protecting yourself in the event of biological, chemical, nuclear and other terrorist attacks. Check with your local emergency management agency (directory) or your state's department of homeland security or public safety administration (directory) for instructions specific to your region.
You might find it helpful to collect information in a three-ring binder for quick reference. In addition to the guidelines from the Department of Homeland Security and instructions from local leaders, get a copy of FEMA's "Are You Ready? A Guide to Citizen Preparedness." It details how to prepare for natural and man-made disasters. The American Red Cross's "Terrorism: Preparing for the Unexpected" is also helpful, and includes a primer on first aid.
And it's always a good idea to learn basic emergency skills. Everyone in your home should know how to operate a fire extinguisher, turn off gas and electricity, and perform CPR and other first aid.