Building Your Family’s Emergency Kit the Right Way | SERVPRO® of Western Dutchess County

6/28/2018 (Permalink)

Call 845-831-3600 if you'd like help building your emergency kit!

In 2017, over $306 billion in damage was declared that directly correlated to natural disasters. Emergency situations happen now more than ever, and being prepared is a sound investment in safety and peace of mind.

At SERVPRO®, we’re committed to educating the community about emergency preparedness. That’s why we’ve assembled tips on how to pack a natural disaster kit for the whole family, so you can have everything you need until help arrives:

Food and Water: When deciding how to pack food and water rations, it’s recommended to set aside a 72-hour supply per family member. Not sure what to include? Shelf-stable items like granola bars, trail mixes or nearly anything you might find in a store’s camping section are filling, require no preparation and don’t take up much space. If you have pets, the same 72-hour rule applies to their food and water as well.

Tip: Canned foods and dehydrated dinners are great, but typically require the use of a camping stove or water heater to prepare.

Stay Comfortable: Remember your emergency kit is for the worst-case scenario—meaning you might be dependent on it for anywhere from a few hours to a few days. Things like pillows, blankets and extra clothes might not seem important, but you wouldn’t want to go several days without them. Keep the living space sanitary by packing practical items like hand sanitizer and paper towels as well.

Tip: Pack cards, books and puzzles for the kids (and adults!) to pass the time with.

Odds and Ends: The odds and ends regularly get overlooked, but are often the handiest items. Remember the first-aid kit, as well as any prescription medication, copies of important documents, and cash or travelers’ checks. Additionally, survivalist tools such as flashlights, headlamps, a Swiss Army Knife and duct tape are useful for many situations, with the added benefit of taking up almost no space.

Tip: Forgetting something? Make note of everything your family uses in a three-day period—chances are, if they use it, you should pack it.

If you need help with disaster preparedness or recovery, SERVPRO can help. Contact our Western Dutchess County location today to get connected with our team of professionals.