List of Things to Have on Hand

 When I grew up it was stupid not to "have things on hand for just in case" as they said.  Canned food,  extra water and blankets, wood to burn, tools and medicine and toilet paper!  Being without electricity was a yearly event which also meant the water pump at the well.  Being prepared would lessen the stress in an already really stressful situation because usually it happened during calving! 

 In addition we prepared as part of the community.  Just in case things happened all the time.  The hail storm that took out neighbors' homes.  The tornado.  The blizzard of the century.  Illness or injury.  The fire.

It wasn't out of fear of a catastrophe but rather in preparation.  My Great Grandparents homesteaded in the area along with all of my friends' Great Grandparents.  The strong sense of independence and responsibility for ones' self was drilled into us all.

I learned passively as well as active preparation.  I'll never forget driving by the neighbor who did not put up hay for his cows and my Dad and Mom furious in his lack of character and preparation.  They still took the cows hay in the blizzard.  Or the stories of my Great Grandma who talked about those homesteaders who packed up and went back because lack of preparation.

So what are your "just in case" items?  Do you try to stay prepared for the needs around you so you can give generously and your family will eat?

My List of "Have on hand for just in case" items include:

Toilet paper

Dried beans

Rice

Peanut butter

Honey

Cooking oil

Corn meal

Beef and Chicken Boulian and Stock

Flour

Baking staples (even though I don't bake much)

Canned vegetables and meat

Laundry and bath soap

Vinegar

Clorox

Personal items

Medicines

Medical kit

Paper

Flashlight/batteries

Candles/matches or firestarter

Basic tools

Dog food

Bibles

Numbers (Phone, accounts, insurance)

 

 

CDC Emergency Preparedness Kit

Assemble the following items to create kits for use at home, the office, at school and/or in a vehicle:

• Water—one gallon per person, per day (3­day supply for evacuation, 2­week supply for home)
• Food—non­perishable, easy­to­prepare items (3­day supply for evacuation, 2­week supply for home)
• Flashlight
• Battery­powered or hand­crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio, if possible)
• Extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Medications (7­day supply) and medical items
• Multi­purpose tool
• Sanitation and personal hygiene items
• Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies)
• Cell phone with chargers
• Family and emergency contact information
• Extra cash
• Emergency blanket
• Map(s) of the area

Consider the needs of all family members and add supplies to your kit. Suggested items to help meet additional needs are:

• Medical supplies (hearing aids with extra batteries, glasses, contact lenses, syringes, cane)
• Baby supplies (bottles, formula, baby food, diapers)
• Games and activities for children
• Pet supplies (collar, leash, ID, food, carrier, bowl)
• Two­way radios
• Extra set of car keys and house keys
• Manual can opener

Additional supplies to keep at home or in your kit based on the types of disasters common to your area:

• Whistle
• N95 or surgical masks
• Matches
• Rain gear
• Towels
• Work gloves
• Tools/supplies for securing your home
• Extra clothing, hat and sturdy shoes
• Plastic sheeting
• Duct tape
• Scissors
• Household liquid bleach
• Entertainment items
• Blankets or sleeping bags