JACKSONVILLE, Florida — Do you and your family have enough food, water, and supplies to last for several days in case a storm or other tropical system knocks out the power in your neighborhood?
Before Tropical Storm Idalia hits the First Coast, We’re On Your Side is making sure you know what to put in your storm kit.
The American Red Cross lists two kinds of storm kits: a “Go-Kit” and a “Stay-at-Home Kit.”
You use a Go-Kit if you have to leave your home, either because of a storm (there are no evacuation orders for our area for Idalia yet) or because of damage that makes your home unsafe to live in.
With a Stay-at-Home Kit, you’ll have everything you need in case the power goes out, the streets flood, or shops, banks, and pharmacies close.
What a Go-Kit should have:
- Three days worth of supplies that you can carry with you
- One gallon of water per person, per day for three days
- Non-perishable, easy-to-prepare food items (three-day supply)
- Manual can opener
- Disposable plates and utensils
- Paper towels
- Toilet paper
- Pet food and supplies
- Flashlight and batteries
- Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
- First aid kit
- Medications (seven-day supply in a child-proof container) and other medical supplies (hearing aids with extra batteries, glasses, contact lenses, syringes, etc.)
- Multi-purpose tool
- Extra clothing, hat and sturdy shoes
- Blanket or sleeping bag
- Sanitation and personal hygiene items
- Baby supplies (bottles, formula, baby food, diapers)
- Copies of personal documents in a waterproof container (medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies)
- Family and emergency contact information
- Cash
- Backup batteries and charges for your devices (cellphone, CPAP, wheelchair, etc.)
- Emergency blanket
- Maps of the area
- Extra set of house keys and car keys
- Games and activities for kids
What to include in a Stay-at-Home Kit:
- Two weeks’ worth of supplies
- One gallon of water per person, per day for two weeks
- Non-perishable, easy-to-prepare food items (two-week supply)
- Manual can opener
- Baby supplies (bottles, formula, baby food, diapers)
- Disposable plates and utensils
- Paper towels
- Toilet paper
- Pet food and supplies
- Flashlight and batteries
- Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
- First aid kit
- Medications (one-month supply in a child-proof container) and other medical supplies (hearing aids with extra batteries, glasses, contact lenses, syringes, etc.)
- Copies of personal documents in a waterproof container (medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies)
- Cash
Stay tuned to our website Usacharged for more updates.
