Your home must have the basics first, such as, smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, carbon monoxide detector and a family plan for getting everyone out of your home if an emergency occurs. You can print this page and use it as a checklist for preparing your home.
Item
Complete?
Electricity and lights
Generator, along with the necessary stored fuel.
Power converter, to be kept in your vehicle with its supplies.
Lighting, battery-powered flashlights/lanterns or other sources of light.
Heat
A back-up heat source for your home.
Extra warm clothing, heavy coats, boots, gloves, hats, etc.
Sleeping bags for each member of the family rated to 0 degrees F.
Food and water*
Enough for all members of your family for a minimum of three days.
Extra water for flushing toilets.
Food, enough food for your family for at least three days.
*If you can, set aside a fourteen-day supply of food and water for your family you will be much better prepared.
Have a three day supply of food, water and other supplies you can take with you in very short notice in the event you are required to evacuate from your home.
Communications and staying informed
CB, FRS or amateur radio, etc.
Radios - such as: AM/FM/TV, battery-, solar- or crank-powered shortwave radio(s).
Police/fire/EMS or weather scanner.
Medical supplies
Have extra prescription medicine and over-the-counter drugs and medicine that your family uses on a regular basis.
First aid kit, a good kit with manual for yourself or the entire family.
Vehicle supplies
Good, inflated spare tire, jack and tire wrench, jumper cables, small tool kit, flashlight, duct tape.
A blanket for each person in the vehicle.
Miscellaneous
Pet supplies, with food and pet first aid kit
Have an extra amount of cash put away that you can get to even if the power is out. Put away a small amount each week until you have the amount you’ll need.
