I'm ready, Mother Nature, bring it on!

My mother was a worrier.  I bet I'm the only one who grew up in the 1960s with a set of "Fall Out Shelter" instructions hanging from the door to the basement of our suburban home.   Is it any wonder that  I've had an Emergency Kit since
9-11?

I was able to assemble it mainly from things I already had - they just weren't consolidated. For instance, I received a  fire extinguisher as a shower gift. I've never used it, but I have it. I now give fire extinguishers as gifts. It may not be used any more than a setting of fancy china, but I know that if it is used it will be more appreciated. And it's a gift the recipient will remember long after he or she has forgotten who gave them how many water goblets or wine glasses.

Take the time today to put together a basic emergency supply kit. Keep it in a closed plastic storage tub someplace easily accessible (under a sink or on a closet shelf). A complete kit will cost about $100-$125 to assemble, depending on what you already have on hand.

Basic Emergency Supply Kit: 

• Water: 3 gallons per person, for drinking and washing
• Food:  3 day supply that doesn’t require heating or refrigeration (cold cereal & power bars for example)
• Portable Can Opener (if kit contains canned food)
• Self-Powered AM/FM/NOAA Weather Radio with Flashlight and Cell Phone Charger
• First Aid Kit

bandages, antibiotic wash, antibiotic ointment, burn cream and pain relievers at a minimum

 Emergency Whistle to signal for help

 Dust Mask Dust masks

Moist towelettes and hand sanitizer

Cell phone with car chargers

Lighter

Multi Purpose Fire Extinguisher

Copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a big ziploc bag

Kids are not likely to wear dust masks willingly. There are cute child's masks that might encourage them to put one on. You could buy a box and split them with friends and neighbors. You might want to try some simple woodworking projects that require they wear a mask during a non stressful time. That way the sensation of covering their nose and mouth won't seem so alien in the event of an emergency.

There is also a secondary set of supplies you can assemble when you're preparing for a potential emergency (hurricane, tornado, etc.). Locate these things and place them near a door in case you need to evacuate when you have a storm warning in your area.

• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
• Prescription medications and glasses
• Cash and change
• Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person.
• Complete change of clothing for each person
• Soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste
• Paper cups, plates and plastic utensils
• Paper towels
• Paper and pencil
• Books, games, puzzles or other low tech activities for children
• Infant formula and diapers
• Pet food and extra water for your pets

 My final nag: please, please keep emergency supplies in your car during the winter if you live in a cold climate. You need to avoid hypothermia or frostbite if you get in an accident or your car breaks down. These are the things my mother kept in her car all winter.

• Emergency mylar blankets - as kids we called these Space Blankets because they were developed for NASA
• Folding Shovel to dig your car out (added bonus for kids - great to make forts, trenches, etc.)
• a bag of kitty litter or sand - it will provide weight for additional traction; you can also pour it under your tires for traction
• Non-perishable snacks. Mom kept juice and granola bars in her car at all times.
• In the early days Mom kept emergency flares, later she switched to light sticks from the Dollar Store. You can use them for "flares" or to light your car interior so you don't run down the battery.
• Hand Warmers (my addition)

There is an old English proverb, "Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst." Mom's motto was "prepare for the worst, expect the worst, hope for the best." She definitely put the preparation before the hope. She was a product of her times. She grew up during a World War. She remembered the U.S. "dropping the bomb" on Japan. We've lived through terrorist attacks, nuclear plant melt downs and natural disasters. It's no wonder that one of my friends daydreams about building her own panic room - it's the fall out shelter of our generation.

 For more practical advice - and some funny reading from the 1960s, please go to:

 http://www.wikihow.com/Get-Your-Car-Out-of-the-Snow

http://wardomatic.blogspot.com/2006/11/fallout-shelter-handbook-1962.html

http://www.nebraskastudies.org/0900/frameset_reset.html?http://www.nebraskastudies.org/0900/stories/0901_0132.html

http://www.crimedoctor.com/panic_room_1.htm