May 14, 2009
What's Worth Taking on Your Way out the Door?
A terrorist attack, a fire, a hurricane, a flood. If this were to happen to you what would you take on your way out of your home? If you didn’t have much time and you weren’t sure your apartment or house would be there the next day, what would be the first thing(s) you would take? Clearly, the answer to this question will be different for different people. For some it would be their animal(s). For some precious photos and irreplaceable memorabilia. For others, it would be jewelry, computers, vital papers, medicine, money or identification.
Nobody wants to think about an emergency situation or evacuation, but doing this exercise will show you two things. The first is that you should have a plan in place for a disaster, know what to take and have it ready to go. Secondly, it makes you look at what’s truly important to you. If you’re like most people, you’ll realize that the many “things” you have are just really “things” and not very important in the greater scheme of life.
When you start to organize an area of your home, ask yourself "What would I take in an emergency? What really has meaning for me? What’s just taking up space and energy?" I have one client who, fortunately, had a false alarm, after which she got right to work minimizing the amount of space items important to her would take. She took the time to scan in all of her cherished photos so she had convenient digital back-up on just a couple of discs, rather than several heavy, cumbersome boxes and albums of photos and converted all of her family’s home video VHS tapes to a digital/DVD format. Everything vital to her was put in a “go” bag stored in her front closet. All she would have to do on her way out the door in an emergency would be grab it and go.
The government recommends that all Americans have some basic supplies on hand in order to survive for at least three days if an emergency occurs. The following is a list of some basic items that every emergency supply kit should include. As you review this list, consider where you live and the unique needs of you and your family in order to create an emergency supply kit that will meet your needs. Consider having at least two emergency supply kits, one complete kit at home and smaller, portable kits in your workplace, vehicle or other places you spend time. Yes, it’s a bother, but think about how much more bothered you would be if you lost what was truly important to you. Keep these items all together in a safe, secure place so that in an emergency nothing will be forgotten. Get organized now so you won’t have any regrets later.
Emergency Supply List:
- Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three
days,
for drinking and sanitation - Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
- All prescription medications and eyeglasses
- Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies (car, life, medical), identification (every family member’s social security card, birth certificate, driver's license/ID, passport/green card), bank account records, marriage license/divorce papers, children’s immunization records (needed to enroll them in school) plus any relevant school documents, car deeds, house titles or leases - keep them all in a waterproof, portable container
- Cash or traveler checks and change, ATM card, checkbook
- Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- First aid kit/first aid book
- Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper - when diluted nine parts water to one part bleach, bleach can be used as a disinfectant - or in an emergency, you can use it to treat water by using 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water - do not use scented, color safe or bleaches with added cleaners
- Matches in a waterproof container
- Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
- Paper and pencil
- Pictures and sentimental/irreplaceable items
- Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children
- Whistle to signal for help
- Dust mask, to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
- Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
- Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
- Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food)
- Important phone numbers and address book
- Cell phone and charger
- Keys (house, office, car, safe deposit box, etc.)
- Local maps
- Infant formula and diapers
- Pet food and extra water for your pet
- Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person
- Complete change of clothing including a long sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes - consider additional clothing if you live in a cold-weather climate.
- Fire Extinguisher
- Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils, paper towels
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MILLER ORGANIZING. All rights reserved.
14 Stuyvesant Oval
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MILLER ORGANIZING. All rights reserved.
14 Stuyvesant Oval
NYC, NY 10009