Hurricane Earl Heads towards New York

The last thing anybody wants it to have the Labor Day Weekend washed out. But the potential of Hurricane Earl hitting us hear in New York is real. It is important to make sure that if we do get hit, even just by the outer bands, that you are ready. Putting together an emergency kit is a good idea. You don't have to go out and buy one, you can make one yourself. Here are some things that you should get according to Ready.gov:

• 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  
• 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  
• 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)  
• Local maps  
• Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger  

Additional Items to Consider Adding to an Emergency Supply Kit:

 

• Prescription medications and glasses  
• Infant formula and diapers  
• Pet food and extra water for your pet  
• Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container  
• Cash or traveler's checks and change  
• Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container. You can use the EFFAK Emergency Financial First Aid Kit - PDF, 277Kb) developed by Operation Hope, FEMA and Citizen Corps to help you organize your information  
• Emergency reference material such as a first aid book or information from http://www.ready.gov/  
• Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person. Consider additional bedding if you live in a cold-weather climate.  
• 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.  
• 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.
• Fire Extinguisher  
• Matches in a waterproof container  
• Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items  
• Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils, paper towels  
• Paper and pencil  
• Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children  

Hopefully Earl will go back out to sea, but it is a good idea to put this together, and keep it for future use.

Find out how to keep food safe during and after and emergency by visiting: http://www.foodsafety.gov/keep/