The following article written by Joelle Alex, Lockport Illinois Real Estate Specialist, speaks of a topic of which we are becoming all too familiar in many of the areas across the United States. Emergencies ...
We've definitely been facing a large number of storms, floods, tornadoes, and more for which an Emergency Storm Kit is an essential.
Please take the time to gather the items suggested upon this Top 10 List and place them in the "safety area" of your home, business, or property. By planning ahead, you will keep yourself and those around you more safe and able to deal with what nature hands you.
You know a storm is coming, what do you do first? Do you know where your emergency kit is? Do you even have one? Here are a few things you should gather and prepare in an easy to carry, but more importantly, easy to FIND backpack or cooler before a BIG storm is on its way.
- EMERGENCY MEDICAL KIT → Including basic first aid supplies, bandages, a form of anti-bacterial, an over the counter pain reliever and any prescriptions that are imperative for survival, such as asthma inhalers, etc.
- BOTTLED WATER → 3 Gallons per person is suggested
- BLANKET → 1 Per family member
- FLASHLIGHT → 1 Per family member
- SMALL BATTERY OPERATED RADIO → To track the status of the storm in the event the electricity should go out.
- NEW BATTERIES → Enough to replace the batteries in all of the flashlights and the radio one time and if possible an extra cell phone battery could come in handy.
- SNACKS → Non-perishable and canned foods such as tuna, vegetables, etc. Items with a long shelf life and flip-tops are best.
- MULTI-PURPOSE TOOL → A handy tool like a Swiss Army knife, which typically include multiple tools such as a blade, scissors, can opener, corkscrew, file and screwdriver, would come in handy for several possible situations.
- DISPOSABLE PRODUCTS → Include toilet paper, disposable plates, cups and utensils.
- ADDITIONAL CLOTHING → 1 fresh change of clothing, appropriate for the current season, per family member. A Spring/Summer kit should also include a raincoat where a FALL/WINTER kit should include warm coats, gloves, scarfs, hats and additional socks for each family member in addition to the 1 set of fresh clothing per person.
Planning ahead is key! You should prepare your emergency kit in advance long before a storm is on its way. Many people dash out as the storm is on the horizon, only to find bare shelves at the stores. The most popular items go very quickly in an emergency situation. Putting your kit in a cooler with wheels and a handle will make transporting the items easier.
Something else to think about when planning ahead would be preparing an emergency phone list of people you may want to check in on or contact for help. Also, a specific place where all of the member of your family could plan on meeting safely in the event of a separation during a storm that may force you to leave your home.
Preparing for a "potential" disaster which may or may not ever happen may seem pointless when there is no disaster in sight, but without proper planning and preparations you could be left holding nothing but your favorite coffee cup and the TV remote if a disastrous storm does hit! It has been said that "Failing to plan is planning to fail!" I am not going to be the one to test that theory...are you?
Joelle Alex | REALTOR ®
Lockport IL Real Estate Specialist
Direct: 815.955.5749If you or someone you know is in the market to buy or sell a home or propertyin Lockport IL or any of the surrounding areas please call me directly at 815.955.5749!
Joelle Alex | REALTOR ®
Lockport IL Real Estate Specialist
Direct: 815.955.5749
Gene Mundt, Sr. Vice President
Personal NMLS #216987
The Federal Savings Bank
1823 Centre Point Circle, Naperville, IL 60563
Skype! 630-219-1316
Gene, thanks for posting. It seems that no one evey thinks of these things until they need them.
Gene - Thx for reblogging - great advice! Out here on the left coast, we're heading into not only fire season but snake season as well. It's been at least a year (maybe longer) since I have seen our emergency kit. I'm thinking hubby has it out in the garage somewhere. Probably should find out where it is and what's in it.
Hope you had a wonderful Fathers Day Gene. :)
Damon: Exactly why I found Joelle's post of such importance. I hope you and all that read this post act immediately. Stay safe, Damon ...
Gene
Donne: Thank you so much for your sentiment ... it's much appreciated! I hope you and your furry friends treated your hubby well.
We in the midwest don't have quite as many nature and weather-related issues to deal with as you on the coast, but we still have severe flooding and our midwest tornadoes... a pretty mean one-two punch at times. (One reason so many of our homes have basements and bathrooms located right smack in the middle of the home.) No matter the locale and/or emergency faced, I hope the time is taken to prepare and stay safe.
Gene
Thanks I will pass this on to my clients also. great post.
Terri: What a great idea to pass it on to your clients! I think I'm going to borrow that idea Terri!! Thank you for letting me know of your brilliant idea ...
Gene
ABSOLUTELY GREAT Post!
Just think...Katrina. You can not wait for FEMA, local authorities ect. to come. They will be overwhelmed with trying to maintain / restore basic order and public safety.
You (we) must take an active roll in our families' preparedness.
Why do we buy car insurance, homeowner's insurance, life insurance...JUST IN CASE. Disaster preparedness is no different.
Thanks for bring this to light.
Thank you for the kind and informative words! And, you're 100% correct. We cannot always rely on others. Sometimes the help we need is to be found within ourselves.
Gene
AMEN Gene!