To all of my readers on the East Coast who have been devastated by Hurricane Sandy, my prayers and thoughts are with and your families at this time. Thankfully, my family and I were blessed to have not been directly affected by the storm. In fact, we never even lost power in our area. However, Ava kept asking, “Mommy, what’s that sound?” when she heard the strong winds slamming against our windows. Other than her slight jitters, we survived the storm trouble free.
While we were spared Mother Nature’s wrath this time, one can never be too prepared when disaster strikes. According to the American Red Cross, here are a few things everyone should have on hand (in an easy-to-carry kit) in case of emergency:
* Water — one gallon per person, per day (at least a three-day supply)
* Food — nonperishable, easy-to-prepare items (at least a three-day supply)
* Flashlight
* Battery-powered or hand-cranked radio
* Extra batteries
* First aid kit
* Medications (seven-day supply) and medical items
* Multipurpose tool
* Sanitation and personal hygiene items
* Copies of personal documents (like passports, house deed, birth certificates)
* Cell phone with chargers
* Family and emergency contact information
* Extra cash
* Emergency blanket
* Map(s) of the area
Does your family have an emergency kit readily available? If you’d like information on how to help those affected by Hurricane Sandy please visit RedCross.org.
