Planning a Disaster-Proof Gift

I don’t know about you, but over the past few months I’ve been thinking more about disaster readiness. First it was Hurricane Sandy. And then, of course, Friday’s horrific tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut.

If my family would be affected by a natural disaster I would not be ready. At one time in my life (pre-K … before kids) I had a nifty emergency kit put together. It included a bag of clothing, some cash, flashlights, and a stash of canned food and bottled water. When I needed to change the food a year later, I just never did.

So for one whole glorious year, I was prepared if disaster would have struck. It didn’t.

Now we’re days away from the Mayan Doomsday – which, according to Discovery News, is a marketing fallacy. Phew. (Don’t forget what Matthew 24:36 promises: “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”) And the fiscal cliff is rapidly approaching.

Now I have a family of four to take care of, and all I have is our pantry full of food. I’m in the mood to start stocking up on essentials here and there. I’ve thought about what a great gift a disaster preparedness kit could be. They were the rage back in Y2K … so Y not now?

Here are some readiness tips from the American Red Cross:

First, make basic plans. Choose a meeting place near your home, a location where everyone can meet if they can’t go home, and an out-of-area contact.

Next, assemble a kit (here’s where the Christmas gift idea comes to play). Your kit should include:

• Water—one gallon per person, per day (try to keep a three-day supply for evacuation and a two-week supply for home)
• Food (a two-week supply of non-perishable, easy-to-prepare items for your home, and a three-day supply for evacuations);
• Flashlight;
• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio;
• Extra batteries;
• First aid kit;
• Keys to your house and automobiles;
• Manual can opener;
• Medications (a seven-day supply);
• Medical items;
• Multi-purpose tool;
• Personal hygiene items;
• Copies of personal documents, including 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;
• Emergency blanket; and
• Map(s) of the area.

Depending on your family, you may need to include:

• Baby supplies like diapers, wipes, and food;
• Activities for children;
• Pet supplies;
• Two-way radios;

To better prepare for disasters, make sure you have the following items in your home:

• Blankets or sleeping bags;
• Duct tape;
• Extra clothing, hat and shoes;
• Liquid bleach;
• Matches;
• Plastic sheeting;
• Rain gear;
• Scissors;
• Surgical masks;
• Tools for securing your home;
• Towels;
• Whistle; and
• Work gloves.

Talk back
If you’ve experienced a natural disaster, what supplies have come in handy?

Today, I’m linking up with:

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Hilary Kimes Bernstein

Hilary Kimes Bernstein is a Christ follower, wife, mama, and journalist. She writes about making healthy decisions that honor God and happen to help the environment at Accidentally Green. Short and sweet - like her writing - Hilary is the author of several healthy living eBooks.

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