A list of essentials for the next time severe weather hits!
Your Storm Preparedness Kit
- Natural Gas Generator. Why should a natural gas generator be at the top your hurricane hotlist? For one, it takes buying, storing and scrambling for fuel out of the equation. In fact, it turns on automatically within seconds of an outage, powers your entire home, and then shuts off once electric service is restored. Plus, because it runs on efficient natural gas, it costs about half as much to operate as its non-gas counterpart.
- Food & Water. For drinking and sanitation purposes, FEMA recommends storing at least one gallon per person, per day. Experts also advise storing at least a three-day supply of nonperishable foods, like cereal, soup and other canned goods. (And don’t forget the can opener, as well as disposable kitchen supplies, like plastic utensils, paper dishware, wet wipes, and so forth, which will save you a few extra headaches.)
- Lighting. Equip your household with plenty of flashlights, batteries, candles and matches. Camping lights that you can strap around your head will also make for a less frustrating experience.
- Portable Radio. As old school as it seems, a battery-powered radio could be your only link to important updates and other info you need during a storm emergency.
- First Aid Supplies & Medication. Keep a first aid kit handy that includes bandages and other essentials for treating minor injuries. And be sure to put any necessary prescription drugs, as well as nonprescription meds, like ibuprofen, in the same convenient place.
- Pet Supplies. Food. Water. Medicine. Make sure to factor in the basic needs of any and all animals in your household.
- Toiletries. Think your storm survival situation was bad already? Wait until you run out of contact solution or toothpaste. Avoid this scenario by stocking up on essential toiletries like soap, toilet paper, feminine supplies, etc. and place them in a waterproof container.
- Cash. If banks are closed, ATMs are shuttered, and stores don’t have the power to run credit card machines, cash might be your only hope for buying fuel, food or other essentials.
- Wireless Entertainment. Especially if your home has young ones, board games, coloring books and other tech-free toys could make life far more tolerable once the iPads and other electronic gadgets run out of juice.
- Key Appliances. Basic comforts, like hot showers and a working cooktop, can go a long way. And if you’re lucky enough to have natural gas appliances, not only can you take comfort in knowing that you’ll get nearly 100% reliable service. But natural gas water heaters, cooking ranges, grills, outdoor lights and various other natural gas appliances continue to operate automatically, even when the power goes out. And that right there can be the difference between storm comfort and storm survival.
Learn more about individual natural gas appliances for your home.