When a hurricane or other natural disaster strikes there is always the possibility of being without electricity or clean water for days or sometimes weeks.

Having a disaster or emergency supply kit is crucial. A disaster supply kit is a collection of basic items that members of a household may need in the event of a disaster.

FEMA recommends that every disaster supply kit should have 6 basics.
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• Water
  • Store at least 1 gallon of water per person per day for up to 2 weeks (family of 5 needs 70 gallons).
  • "Watersafe can help you meet that requirement."
• Food
  • At least a 3-Day supply of ready-to-eat non-perishable food for each person
  • Manual can opener for canned foods
  • Select foods that require no refrigeration, preparation or cooking and little or no water. If you must heat food, pack a can of sterno.
  • Select food items that are compact and lightweight. Avoid foods that will make you thirsty.
  • Choose salt-free crackers, whole grain cereals, and canned foods with high liquid content.
• First Aid Supplies
  • Essential medicines including:
    • Eyeglasses and contact lenses
    • Sterile adhesive bandages in assorted sizes
    • 2-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6)
    • 4-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6)
    • Hypoallergenic adhesive tape
    • Triangular bandages (3)
    • 2-inch sterile roller bandages (3 rolls)
    • 3-inch sterile roller bandages (3 rolls)
    • Scissors
    • Tweezers
    • Needle
    • Moistened towelettes
    • Antiseptic
    • Thermometer
    • Tongue blades (2)
    • Tube of petroleum jelly or other lubricant
    • Assorted sizes of safety pins
    • Cleansing agent/soap
    • Latex gloves (2 pair) Sunscreen
  • Non-prescription drugs
    • Aspirin or nonaspirin pain reliever
    • Anti-diarrhea medication
    • Antacid (for stomach upset)
    • Syrup of Ipecac (use to induce vomiting if advised by the Poison Control Center)
    • Laxative
    • Activated charcoal (use if advised by the Poison Control Center)
• Clothing, Bedding and Sanitation Supplies
  • Include at least 1 change of clothes and shoes per person
    • Jacket or coat
    • Long pants
    • Long sleeve shirt
    • Sturdy shoes or work boots
    • Hat, gloves and scarf 
    • Rain gear
    • Thermal underwear
    • Blankets or sleeping bags
    • Sunglasses
  • Sanitation
    • Toilet paper
    • Soap, liquid detergent
    • Feminine supplies
    • Personal hygiene items
    • Plastic garbage bags, ties (for personal sanitation uses)
    • Plastic bucket with tight lid
    • Disinfectant
    • Household chlorine bleach
• Tools
  • Mess kits, or paper cups, plates and plastic utensils
  • 2 coolers - one for food and one for ice
  • Emergency preparedness manual
  • Portable, battery-operated radio or television and extra batteries
  • Flashlight and extra batteries
  • Cash or traveler's checks, change
  • Nonelectric can opener, utility knife
  • Fire extinguisher: small canister, ABC type
  • Tube tent
  • Pliers
  • Tape
  • Compass
  • Matches in a waterproof container
  • Aluminum foil
  • Plastic storage containers
  • Signal flare
  • Paper, pencil
  • Needles, thread
  • Medicine dropper
  • Shut-off wrench, to turn off household gas and water
  • Whistle
  • Plastic sheeting
  • Map of the area (for locating shelters)
• Special Items
  • For Baby
    • Formula
    • Diapers
    • Bottles
    • Pacifiers
    • Powdered milk
    • Medications
      
      
  • For Adults
    • Heart and high blood pressure medication
    • Insulin
    • Prescription drugs
    • Denture needs
    • Contact lenses and supplies
    • Extra eye glasses
    • Hearing aid batteries
      
      
  • Important Family Documents
    • Keep these records in a waterproof, portable container.
    • Will, insurance policies, contracts, deeds, stocks and bonds
    • Photo IDs, passports, social security cards, immunization records
    • Bank account numbers
    • Credit card account numbers and companies
    • Inventory of valuable household goods, important telephone numbers
    • Family records (birth, marriage, death certificates)
    • Photocopies of credit and identification cards
      
      
  • Cash and coins
    
  • Entertainment--games and books

(Source: www.fema.gov)

In an emergency, having a supply of clean water is a top priority, for drinking, food preparation and hygiene.

• Store at least 1 gallon of water per day for each member of your family (including pets) for up to two weeks.

In an emergency, drink at least two quarts of water a day, 3-4 quarts a day if you are in a hot climate, pregnant, sick or a child. If supplies run low, never ration water. Drink the amount you need today and look for more tomorrow.

How and Where to Store Water

• In a cool, dark place in your home, each vehicle and your workplace.
• Preferably, in store-bought containers.
• Alternately, in food-grade quality containers (such as Watersafe) made for storing water and available from sporting goods and surplus stores and other retailers.

• Store-bought water past the expiration or "use by" date on the container.
• Containers that can't be sealed tightly.
• Containers that can break, such as glass bottles.
• Containers that have ever held any toxic substance.
• Plastic milk bottles and cartons. They are difficult to clean and break down over time.

Do

• Change stored water every six months.

(Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)