Last year, we had over two feet of snow... right about this time of year. Unheard of in Connecticut! Fortunately the forecast this week calls for sunny skies!
But... I recall spending eight days away from home, at our in-laws, because power was out across about ninety-five percent of the state (yeah I just made that stat up but I think it's close!).
We were lucky. Other people spent 8-10 days without power, water, showers... nobody I knew was ready for that kind of natural disaster!
September was National Preparedness month... and in a recent GE Generator Systems survey, 55 percent of Americans are NOT prepared for emergency situations! This is the time to create an emergency kit and a communications plan!
We keep our kits packed and in the car - this way, we're prepared whether on the road or at home! One of our kits is this Red Cross Ready-to-Go Emergency Preparedness Kit - a backpack full of all the essentials:
- Flashlight and batteries
- Radio and batteries
- An emergency blanket
- 12 packages of drinking water
- Small expandable water container
- A food bar (it's more like a giant block!)
- A breathing mask
- Poncho
- Whistle
- First aid kit in a zipper pouch
- Duct Tape (I'm not sure any kit is complete without this!)
- Hygiene kit with washcloth, toothbrush/paste, soap, shampoo, deodorant, lotion, tissue, comb
You could certainly make your own kit, but I recommend purchasing a ready-made kit for a quick and easy path to preparedness. I priced out making my own kit and really, once you figure in the backpack, there's not much saving doing it yourself. Especially beneficial in a pre-made kit are the sealed water packages, because they are rated to last about 3-5 years. Regular water bottles are not good to keep that long because your water will start to taste like plastic.
This kit is a great starter kit, in a sturdy backpack. There's plenty of space inside to add your own items, and it gives peace of mind for the upcoming winter storm season.
Items you should add include:
- Medications
- List of contact names/numbers
- Cash
- Copies of important personal documents
- List of "other things to grab" if you have to evacuate quick (valuables, heirlooms, change of clothes, etc). You don't want to be hemming and hawing if you have to leave in a hurry.
Keep your emergency kit handy either in a front closet, or right in the car, where it can double as a roadside emergency kit too!
What other things would you add to an Emergency Kit for Families?
Thanks to GE Generators for sending a kit for review and offering a giveaway! All opinions are 100% my own.
Luckily I haven't experienced a natural disaster, but I did get caught on a freeway during an ice storm several Novembers back. I left work at 5:00pm and didn't get home until 2:30am. Luckily my gas lasted that long!
Luckily I haven't experienced a natural disaster, but I did get caught on a freeway during an ice storm several Novembers back. I left work at 5:00pm and didn't get home until 2:30am. Luckily my gas lasted that long!
My husband and I actually got stranded in the mountains before we were married. His truck got stuck and it was snowing. We were so not prepared to hike down the mountains with nothing but the clothes we were wearing and sweatshirts! It was one cold, dark walk! This kit would have really been helpful. I am just glad we ran into someone who was able to help us get out of the mountains safely.
My husband and I actually got stranded in the mountains before we were married. His truck got stuck and it was snowing. We were so not prepared to hike down the mountains with nothing but the clothes we were wearing and sweatshirts! It was one cold, dark walk! This kit would have really been helpful. I am just glad we ran into someone who was able to help us get out of the mountains safely.
Thankfully I have never been involved in a realy emergency but it's good to always be prepared and I feel that nobody can ever be prepared enough so it's best to be extra prepared!
priscillavbenavides@yahoo.com
Thankfully I have never been involved in a realy emergency but it's good to always be prepared and I feel that nobody can ever be prepared enough so it's best to be extra prepared!
priscillavbenavides@yahoo.com
I haven't had to use this sort of kit, yet, but living in Southern California, it is just a matter of time before an earthquake hits our area, and a kit like this would be a lifesaver. Thanks for the reminder about the importance of being prepared for anything!
I haven't had to use this sort of kit, yet, but living in Southern California, it is just a matter of time before an earthquake hits our area, and a kit like this would be a lifesaver. Thanks for the reminder about the importance of being prepared for anything!
We had high winds go thru about 5 years ago and knocked down alot of large trees. They took out the power for about 3 days until it was restored. This kit would have been so helpful!
We had high winds go thru about 5 years ago and knocked down alot of large trees. They took out the power for about 3 days until it was restored. This kit would have been so helpful!
I actually need this right now!!! I'm on the east coast and we are expecting the hurricane tomorrow!!
I actually need this right now!!! I'm on the east coast and we are expecting the hurricane tomorrow!!
The worst emergency we have experienced was having the electric go out during a blizzard. It stayed out for two days. We also had a tornado hit several miles from our home. We were the lucky ones.
The worst emergency we have experienced was having the electric go out during a blizzard. It stayed out for two days. We also had a tornado hit several miles from our home. We were the lucky ones.
Thankfully we haven't been in anything serious to need one of these but it would be so great to own one. I like the idea of including some emergency cash in there too.
Thankfully we haven't been in anything serious to need one of these but it would be so great to own one. I like the idea of including some emergency cash in there too.
We live near Hartford and the Oct. storm wasn't tooooo bad mostly because it wasn't really cold out yet. (Yes we were one of the unlucky ones w/o power/heat/HW, etc.) It was the big storm that followed (was it Jan or Feb?) that was just awful... so cold. I piled as many blanket on the bed as possible and our little family huddled together at night trying to stay warm.
Living in DFW there have been many tornadoes passing by me. Luckily we've never been in a direct hit though.
Living in DFW there have been many tornadoes passing by me. Luckily we've never been in a direct hit though.
I live in Southern California. Earthquakes are a fact of life here. We have an emergency kit for the house but not one for the car. We've been without power for several days before. One thing that needs to be in the kit for us is water! Lot's of water!
I live in Southern California. Earthquakes are a fact of life here. We have an emergency kit for the house but not one for the car. We've been without power for several days before. One thing that needs to be in the kit for us is water! Lot's of water!
Yes, we have.
Yes, we have.
Living in New Hampshire I have been in several Nor'Easters that have left us without electricity as well as a tornado and a few hurricanes while living in other states. It stinks!!
Living in New Hampshire I have been in several Nor'Easters that have left us without electricity as well as a tornado and a few hurricanes while living in other states. It stinks!!
We haven't had a real emergency where we would need this. Although when I was a kid there were some hurricanes where we were out of power for quite a while. For my kids, I would want an extra epi-pen and benadryl for my daughter who has a peanut allergy.
Marysa {at} marysa {dot} com
We haven't had a real emergency where we would need this. Although when I was a kid there were some hurricanes where we were out of power for quite a while. For my kids, I would want an extra epi-pen and benadryl for my daughter who has a peanut allergy.
Marysa {at} marysa {dot} com
We got stuck in a snow drift last winter- my husband decided to check out a nearby lake, never mind that those roads were not plowed ( summer campers): Somehow, we managed to roll out and get back to the main road. Yes, we could have used an emergency kit then.
We got stuck in a snow drift last winter- my husband decided to check out a nearby lake, never mind that those roads were not plowed ( summer campers): Somehow, we managed to roll out and get back to the main road. Yes, we could have used an emergency kit then.
I haven't been in a serious emergency, but we do get a lot of earth quakes in my area in California. I would include rope.
I haven't been in a serious emergency, but we do get a lot of earth quakes in my area in California. I would include rope.
We've never really had an emergency where we would need the whole kit! 🙂 We've had hurricanes that knock out power for a couple of days but usually either one of my parents or my in laws still had electricity so we just bunked with them until ours came back! Just this spring, we had a freak hail storm and didn't have power for a couple of days - we stayed with my mom! LOL
We've never really had an emergency where we would need the whole kit! 🙂 We've had hurricanes that knock out power for a couple of days but usually either one of my parents or my in laws still had electricity so we just bunked with them until ours came back! Just this spring, we had a freak hail storm and didn't have power for a couple of days - we stayed with my mom! LOL
i haven't had a need for it but always best to have the a kit ready
i haven't had a need for it but always best to have the a kit ready
We've had some bad floods here before. Thankfully none that really affected us. And we do get tornadoes. Again, thankfully we haven't experienced damage. {I feel like I should be knocking on wood}. This would be great to have on hand. I've been meaning to make a kit but never get around to it.
We've had some bad floods here before. Thankfully none that really affected us. And we do get tornadoes. Again, thankfully we haven't experienced damage. {I feel like I should be knocking on wood}. This would be great to have on hand. I've been meaning to make a kit but never get around to it.
Thankfully, we have not needed this, but we do live in a hurricane prone area.
Thankfully, we have not needed this, but we do live in a hurricane prone area.
No, I've never needed anything like this before, but we just moved to California and I felt my first (very tiny) earthquake the other day. This would be nice to have!
No, I've never needed anything like this before, but we just moved to California and I felt my first (very tiny) earthquake the other day. This would be nice to have!
Waiting for a hurricane to come through one day...
Waiting for a hurricane to come through one day...
I have never needed one before, but with two kids. . I think it is always great to be prepared!
I have never needed one before, but with two kids. . I think it is always great to be prepared!
never needed anything like this yet, but you never know!
never needed anything like this yet, but you never know!
ive came upon car accidents or have accidents with cuts an falls with the grandkids where medical supplies were needed
ive came upon car accidents or have accidents with cuts an falls with the grandkids where medical supplies were needed
Thankfully, no. Power lost during storms is the most I've had to deal with. I will put more of these items in my car.
Thanks for the contest.
Thankfully, no. Power lost during storms is the most I've had to deal with. I will put more of these items in my car.
Thanks for the contest.
Totally don't have one of these but need one!
Totally don't have one of these but need one!
When I was a teenager we lived in Hawaii, in a rural area, right on a cliff! There was a huge hurricane and it was really scary! Luckily we didn't suffer any huge damage but the electricity was out for days and it was rough!
When I was a teenager we lived in Hawaii, in a rural area, right on a cliff! There was a huge hurricane and it was really scary! Luckily we didn't suffer any huge damage but the electricity was out for days and it was rough!
I have not needed to use a kit, other than bandages and gauze & some alcohol.
I have not needed to use a kit, other than bandages and gauze & some alcohol.
I haven't thank God! But I live in an earthgquake zone and we are overdue for a big one. I need to be more prepared.
I need to add more water and snacks in the bag.
I haven't thank God! But I live in an earthgquake zone and we are overdue for a big one. I need to be more prepared.
I need to add more water and snacks in the bag.
havent been in an emergency where it was needed... but you never know! better be prepared!
havent been in an emergency where it was needed... but you never know! better be prepared!
I've read other ER kit listings and one I found useful is flat diapers! Baby or not they are SO useful for many things. Wrap food, an injury, spills, oh ya and its a diaper too!
I've read other ER kit listings and one I found useful is flat diapers! Baby or not they are SO useful for many things. Wrap food, an injury, spills, oh ya and its a diaper too!
I would be sure to have extra bottled water too
I would be sure to have extra bottled water too
Thankfully i have not!
Thankfully i have not!
We have been in severe storms, but nothing more than that.
We have been in severe storms, but nothing more than that.
The kit would have been nice when my daughter had a large jewelry chest drawer cut her head.
The kit would have been nice when my daughter had a large jewelry chest drawer cut her head.
I have been very fortunate to have not been in a serious emergency that required such a handy kit.
I have been very fortunate to have not been in a serious emergency that required such a handy kit.
I've never been in an emergency situation where I would need something like this and pray I never am, but I would want to be prepared during winter driving!
I've never been in an emergency situation where I would need something like this and pray I never am, but I would want to be prepared during winter driving!
Not a scary emergency or anything, but living in Florida we do get a lot of hurricanes and I've definitely been without power for several days. Emergency kits are essential.
Not a scary emergency or anything, but living in Florida we do get a lot of hurricanes and I've definitely been without power for several days. Emergency kits are essential.
This is a great kit! You never truly realize how much you depend on electricity and water until a disaster hits and you don't have it!
This is a great kit! You never truly realize how much you depend on electricity and water until a disaster hits and you don't have it!