The latest edition (2014) of the FEMA Emergency Supply List recommends the following items for a basic emergency supply kit:
- At least one gallon of water per person per day (people who go to Burning Man already know this by heart) for at least 3 days, for drinking and sanitation.
- At least a three-day supply of non-perishable food.
- A radio, either battery or hand crank-powered, and extra batteries. If you have one of those NOAA weather radios with a tone alert, even better.
- Flashlight with extra batteries (and if its battery receptacles are screwed up, fix them!).
- First aid kit.
- Whistle to signal for help.
- Dust mask, to filter contaminated air.
- Plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place.
- Moist towelettes, garbage bags, and plastic ties for personal sanitation.
- Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities.
- Manual can opener for canned goods.
- Local maps.
It also recommends these additional items, which you may or may not need, depending on your situation:
- Prescription medications and glasses.
- Infant formula and diapers.
- Pet food and extra water for your pet.
- Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container.
- Cash. (The guide also recommends traveler’s checks, but have you ever tried using one recently? Nobody knows what to do with them anymore.)
- Sleeping bag or a blanket for each person.
- Complete change of clothing including a long sleeved shirt, long pants, and sturdy shoes. This is no time to do the Florida “shorts and flip-flops” thing.
- Fire extinguisher.
- Matches in a waterproof container.
- Personal hygiene items.
- Mess kits, paper cups, plates, plastic utensils, and paper towels.
- Paper and pencil.
- Books, games, puzzles, and other activities. (The guide recommends these for children, but why should they have all the fun?)
Since this post is about lists, and since I want to include a song on every Hurricane Irma Report, here’s Hall and Oates:
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