Essentials for a disaster emergency kit
<br>Here are some of the essential items that you should consider having in case of emergency evacuation.
Cash<br>If the power goes out, credit cards won’t work, neither would ATMs. Keep cash on hand to replenish supplies.
Medications<br>Pharmacies and chemists might be closed, and hospitals could be overwhelmed. It might be difficult to get in touch with your doctor for some time after a disaster has struck. Keep a backup supply (at least several days’ worth) of important medications like blood pressure medicines and insulin.
Water and food<br>Pack a gallon of water for every family member and pet. Widespread power outages could make tap water unsafe to drink. Also pack non-perishable food and pet food.
Important documents<br>ID cards, passports, birth certificates, driver’s licenses and more could all be lost or destroyed in a flood. Keep copies of these documents in a waterproof container. Include a copy of your insurance policy so that you can quickly file a claim once the danger has passed.
A battery-powered radio<br>If electricity is out and cell towers are down, this is your only way to know what’s happening.
List of shelters<br>In this time of social distancing, not all shelters are open. Be sure to make a list of shelters where you can retreat. If you have a pet, make sure they are pet friendly. Not all shelters welcome pets.
A change of clothes<br>If you are away from your home for a few days, you will want to have a change of clothes. Throw in some masks and gloves, especially due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A mask will help avoid dust and airborne germs when you return, and gloves will aid in the clean-up.
<br>(Siddhi Jain can be contacted at siddhi.j@ians.in)
–IANS<br>sj/tb/sdr/
