What's in your kit?
The American Red Cross of Southwestern New York would like the residents in Allegany, Cattaraugus and Chautauqua Counties to be prepared for disaster at any time.
By building a kit, making a plan and staying informed, residents have a better chance of surviving a disaster. Making a plan and staying informed simply means having a plan of action in case of an emergency, as well as knowing what is going. But how do to build the kit?
Many organizations encourage nearly the same items in a disaster preparedness kit. Keep at least a three-day supply of water for each person - one gallon per person per day. When it comes to food, keep at least a three-day supply for each person of nonperishable, easy-to-prepare food. Pack a flashlight and extra batteries in case power is out in order to see in the dark. A battery powered or hand crank radio to stay informed during a disaster is encouraged. A first aid kid comes in handy during an emergency.
Here are some other suggested items to keep in the kit:
Extra clothing, hat and sturdy shoes;
Seven-day supply of medications and medical items such as hearing aids with extra batteries, glasses, contact lenses, syringes, cane;
Multipurpose tool;
Sanitation and personal hygiene items;
Copies of personal documents such as medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies;
Cell phone with chargers;
Family and emergency contact information;
Extra cash;
Silver-foil emergency blanket;
Map(s) of the area;
Baby supplies such as bottles, formula, baby food, diapers;
Pet supplies such as collar, leash, ID, food, carrier, bowl;
Tools/supplies for securing your home;
Extra set of car keys and house keys;
Rain gear;
Insect repellent and sunscreen; and
Camera for photos of damage;
For more information on building an emergency kit, visit www.redcross.org.