Be Ready for Texas Storms

10/14/2020 (Permalink)

Families in North Garland Can Be Prepared

Does your family have an emergency kit ready to go in case of sudden storms? SERVPRO North Garland has gathered information and tips for creating one that will keep you and your family safe in a storm.

Your kit should have enough supplies to last at least 72 hours. The Red Cross recommends storing items in a backpack or an easy to carry container. It should also be in a known location and easily accessible.

Things to include in your kit:

• Water (at least one gallon per person, per day)
• Non-perishable foods such as crackers, peanut butter and other shelf stable items that don't require cooking.
• Battery-powered or hand-powered radio and extra batteries
• At least 1 high-powered flashlight
• Whistle (to signal for help)
• Matches in a waterproof container
• Dust masks
• Cellphone with charger and/or solar charger 
• Baby wipes, garbage bags, and twist ties (for sanitation)
• Blankets or sleeping bags for each person in the family.
• Cash (in small bills)
• A first aid kit and any medications that your family needs as well as over the counter meds such as pain relievers or stomach aids.
• A complete change of seasonally appropriate clothing for every member of your family
• Personal care items for each member of your family (toothbrushes, toothpaste, wipes, deodorant, diapers, feminine hygiene items)
• Pet food, leash and supplies

While not necessary for survival, it’s also good to have these items on hand:

• Plastic sheeting and duct tape, or emergency tents
• Trash bags
• A camping stove for cooking
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities and a multi-tool (such as a Leatherman)
• Copies of essential documents, such as birth certificates, IDs, wills, health insurance cards, immunization records, all stored in a sealed Ziploc bag
• A list of emergency numbers, including family contacts (keep in mind your cell phone might run out of batteries or be damaged during an emergency)
• An emergency medical book if medical help is unavailable or delayed. One good option is “The Survival Medicine Handbook.”

And since the spring of 2020, the CDC has also recommended people include items in their kits to help prevent the spread of coronavirus or the flu, such as cloth face coverings, soap, hand sanitizer, and disinfecting wipes.

There are ready made kits that can be purchased, but it’s much more affordable to assemble it yourself. This allows you to pack supplies tailored to your family’s unique situation and needs. If there are kids in the house, get them involved and let them pick out their own clothes or food items to carry in their kid-sized backpacks.

Preparing for emergencies can be scary, but knowing you’ll be ready for anything is equally, if not more, empowering.

 For more information about what you can do to prepare for, or recover from storms in North Garland, call us at 972-496-2441.