Winter is ending, and we’re all getting ready to welcome spring. You might already have a to-do list of things you need to do this spring, but don’t forget to add emergency preparedness to that list! If you’re looking for ideas on how to improve your emergency plans, check out the Crisis Preparedness Handbook by Patricia Spigarelli Aston and Jack A. Spigarelli.
Start by looking over your emergency kit.
Emergency supplies need to be updated every six months. Replace anything expired. Check that you have food, water, shelter, medications, personal hygiene, sanitation, and communication covered. Add anything that is missing.
Next, take your food storage in hand. Begin by having enough food for your family for two weeks. Build your food storage with what your family already eats. Here are five things you can do right now:
1. Clean out and organize your pantry, refrigerator, and freezer. Throw away old food.
2. Take inventory of your existing supply of food. How long will it last? What do you need to replenish it?
3. Store enough ready-to-eat foods to last at least three days.
4. Keep track of the meals your family eats for one week. List the foods you use.
5. Use this list of foods to plan seven menus you can build using food that can be stored in your pantry.
Another essential is water. Do you have a backup supply? Does it need updating? Here are five things you can do right now to add to your emergency water supply:
1. How much water do you have stored for your family? Make sure you have a minimum of a gallon a day per person for three days. If possible, add enough emergency water for two weeks.
2. Identify potential water sources other than your culinary water.
3. Purchase chlorine dioxide tablets or another disinfectant chemical.
4. Learn how to use ultraviolet (UV) energy to purify water and purchase a UV device.
5. Obtain a personal water filter for each family member.
Personal hygiene and sanitation are critical but often overlooked. How well are you prepared for these vital areas of preparedness? Here are five things you can do right now:
1. Stock up on toilet paper, paper towels, and hand sanitizer.
2. Make a list of all toiletries your family uses and update your supply.
3. Update cleaning supplies.
4. Purchase heavy-duty waste bags.
5. Store sanitation supplies, such as bleach, lime, and disinfectants.
It’s easy to put it off, but crisis preparedness is essential. If the COVID-19 pandemic taught us anything, it’s that you never know when an emergency will strike. When you’re making your spring to-do list, don’t forget to update your emergency supplies.
For many more emergency preparedness tips, including charts, worksheets, resources, and more, check out Crisis Preparedness Handbook.