From time to time on Weather Wednesday we will step away from purely meteorological topics to address preparedness. This week we’ll discuss one of the most basic preparedness items, a personal or family Go Kit.
A Go Kit should be assembled and customized according to individual needs following some general guidelines from FEMA. Be sure to look under the tabs for additional suggested items.
Let’s look at some of the items which should be included:
Water, one gallon per person per day for three days for drinking and sanitation. For long term storage the crystal clear containers hold up better, but water and food stocks should be rotated out regularly.
Food, a three day supply of non-perishable food. If using canned food, be sure to include a can opener. Specialty meals designed for use by campers are also a good option. Check preparation instructions to be sure you have all of the necessary equipment.
Battery powered, hand cranked and/or solar powered radio capable of receiving NOAA All-Hazards Weather Radio and standard broadcast. Carry extra batteries.
Flashlight and extra batteries. Batteries will generally last considerably longer in LED flashlights.
Red Cross via FEMA
First aid kit. A good basic kit will suffice unless special needs are involved.
Whistle to signal for help. A small air horn is also a good addition, but you can’t beat a whistle for convenience. It takes less volume of air to blow a whistle than to yell which can be important if one is trapped by debris. A whistle or horn also has a better chance of being heard over heavy equipment.
Dust mask.
Plastic sheet and tape if asked to shelter in place.
Local maps. Remember, familiar landmarks may be destroyed in some disasters.
Cell phone with chargers, inverters, solar power, charging packs, etc. Note, avoid using accessories such as the built in flashlight which tend to run down the battery rapidly.
Prescription medications and glasses. Setting aside medication can be problematic so work with your physician and pharmacist to see what can be done.
Cash and change. If the power is out or communications lines down, ATMs will be out of service.
Copies of insurance papers, account numbers, etc. Do keep these in a special place in the kit so you can keep track of them.
Infant formula, diapers, pet food, etc if applicable. Include a leash for your pet and count their water needs as well.
Change of clothes. Err on the side of warmth and waterproof items.
A couple of items recent experience has shown to be very valuable. Sturdy shoes or boots. Sandals and flip flops are not at all useful when walking through debris. If you have identified a shelter area in your home, you might want to keep the spare shoes/boots there.
Bicycle helmets or hard hats may also be useful if easily accessible to your shelter area.
Remember a Go kit should be able to do just that, pick up and go, should the need arise. It is important to temperate the desire to plan for all contingencies with the practical need to perhaps carry the kit for some distance. Kits are also available from retailers, but make sure to customize to your needs.
