In Case of Natural Disaster: Prepare an Emergency Kit
Frances Janisch
Create a kit that contains your survival essentials. Store it in
a waterproof container and place
it in an easily accessible location. “Your kit should allow you to
be self-sufficient for at least three days,” says Keith Robertory, an emergency-preparedness expert with the American Red Cross. “Although the recent hurricanes indicated otherwise, that’s typically enough time for help to get to you.” (For a list of items for
a comprehensive emergency kit, see Emergency-Supply Checklist; for a pared-down version for the car, the office, or on-the-go, see Grab-and-Go Emergency Kit.)
Do a disaster dry run. One weekend night, unplug the phone, turn off the lights, don’t use any faucets or the stove, and see how well packed you are. “You’ll discover little things, like you packed C batteries when you needed
D’s for the flashlight, or you could have used a deck of cards for entertainment,” says Robertory. “That information is invaluable.”
