I hope you’re having a great week and are looking forward to the weekend ahead!
Last Thursday I sent out an update on the past couple months and what is ahead for our community. If you missed the email, you can read it here.
I just got back from my life coaching seminar in Santa Barbara and had a lovely time. Apart from the ideal weather in California, the best part of the seminar was meeting other life coaches and practicing our coaching on each other.
It’s funny, this time last year I was seeking help with my public speaking because it’s one of my pain points (and also a hurdle in getting my messages to you). And just this weekend, I was coached by five life coaches and one therapist on tools I can use to conquer the fear and anxiety when it comes to speaking. I’m incredibly grateful for their help and continue to be a firm believer that when the student is ready to learn, the teacher magically shows up 🙂
I met a lot of interesting people in my four days – one coach from Montana lives in a tiny house with her family of 6! Intrigued by her story, I asked her about tidying up and she confirmed how it’s a breeze to clean up clutter! She mentioned she has no closets, everything is just out in the open. How cool!
I also met another life coach who was from New Mexico. I always wanted to meet someone from New Mexico! She was the first. It was during our speed coaching exercise that we met. At one point she lived in a tent in the woods for two years and later built a house out of all free materials, living completely off the grid. I felt so inspired by her story. We ended up talking for a while. She gave me a new appreciation for simple things I sometimes take for granted.
I’m grateful for all the deep connections I made and everything I learned. It was a magical time!
Fast forward to this week…
So this week, in the wake of all of the hurricanes, I wanted to talk about Emergency Preparedness. Emergency Preparedness is all about being ready when a disaster strikes – natural or man-made. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) names September as “National Preparedness Month” with the theme, “Disasters Don’t Plan Ahead. You Can.”
National Preparedness Month
One thing you can do to be prepared is assembling & organizing an emergency kit of supplies. The level of complexity for your emergency kit depends on the area in which you live and of course, depends of YOU as an individual. If you live in an area prone to disasters, your kit may be more involved than others’. Or if you’re a parent, your kit may require more items. However, everyone should have some sort of emergency kit, whether it’s an entire drawer of items or simply a flashlight and batteries and some bandages.
Having an emergency kit assembled (or simply having the supplies on-hand) ahead of time allows you to be prepared and ready. If you’ve ever gone out to the store one day before a major storm hits, you’ll know it’s difficult to find critical things available like water or batteries. And when you do find them, sometimes it comes at a steep price. Prepare now and be ready later!
With that said, below is what I include in my emergency kit (though I still need to find a paper map and make copies of documents!) in the event we are stuck at home without utilities or need to pack up and evacuate the house.
This isn’t a doom’s day list of everything you’ll need in the worst-case scenario situation. Instead, it’s a list of things you may need for a few days in case of an interruption.
Also, even though this is an “emergency kit,” you may choose to simply have these items on hand but not necessarily “packed” in a “kit” such as a backpack. Or you may choose to have everything ready months in advance inside a duffel bag so you can “grab & go” at any moment if an emergency strikes.
For me, being sure I simply have these items on hand around the house (ready to be packed in a backpack at any time) is good enough. When I need these items, I’ll know where to find them. Do what works for you and your family! In our last home, we kept these items mostly in the basement, though some of them were scattered (but organized!) around the home (e.g., can opener in the kitchen, batteries in my battery organizer, etc.).
When you setup an emergency kit, ask yourself what YOU would need in the event of an emergency. It’s easy to follow a checklist of things to pack but if YOU were alone in an emergency, what would YOU need to survive and what would YOU need to feel comfortable? What would your kids need? What would your pet need? If you’re a caregiver, what would your recipient/patient/relative need?
Use the list as a guide for setting up or modifying your emergency kit. Or, print the list and use it in the future when a disaster is predicted to occur.
Also, here is FEMA’s official Emergency Supply List for your reference (which is what I used to make my list).
Emergency Kit Supply List
Fuel / Gas – As soon as a natural disaster is predicted to occur in your area, fill any necessary fuel tanks (car, truck, tractor/ATV for plowing snow, generator, propane tanks, heating oil, etc.)
Water – Recommended one gallon of water per person (and pet) per day, for at least 3-14 days (for drinking & hygiene). According to FEMA, “To prepare the safest and most reliable emergency supply of water, it is recommended that you purchase commercially bottled water. Keep bottled water in its original container, and do not open it until you need to use it. Store bottled water in the original sealed container, and observe the expiration or “use by” date.” In addition to bottled water, you can also find boxed (easier to store as it can be stacked) or pouched water which has a longer shelf life. When stocking your emergency kit, include more water than food as the human body can survive for weeks without food, but only a few days without water. You may also want to consider including a way to filter water, such as this water filtration straw.
Food – Look for dense non-perishables such as hearty canned soups & vegetables (meat, chicken, beans), canned meats (tuna, salmon, chicken), peanut butter, energy/protein bars (such as Clif Bars which you can buy at Costco), nuts, protein powder, MREs (Meals Ready-to-Eat). Stock for 3-14 days of meals.
Flashlight / Head Lamp / Batteries / Extra Batteries – Be sure to store batteries separate from your flashlight or head lamp to prolong the life span of your batteries. Also, be sure to have extra batteries on hand!
Unscented Candles / Matches – If you’re sensitive to fragrances, keep unscented or battery-operated candles on hand. Store matches in a waterproof container.
Personal Hygiene Items – Include toothbrush/toothpaste, mouthwash, tampons / pads, hand soap, deodorant, hand sanitizer / wipes, moist cleansing cloths, toilet paper / tissues, shampoo, soap, & razor (if you’ll have access to a shower).
Moist Cleansing Cloths / Contractor Garbage Bags / Bucket – In the event that you don’t have access to a shower, include moist cleansing cloths. If you don’t have access to a toilet, include moist cleansing cloths, contractor garbage bags (contractor garbage bags are heavier duty than normal garbage bags), and a bucket (you can line a bucket with a contractor bag to create a temporary make-shift toilet).
Medications / Prescriptions / Vitamins – Fill / re-fill prescriptions ASAP once a natural disaster is predicted to occur in your area to avoid long wait times at the pharmacy or if your pharmacy runs out of your medication. Consider other medical items including glasses, contacts / contact solution, hearing aids & extra batteries, dentures, and other devices.
Kitchen Essentials – Include a manual can opener, reusable utensils & cups, napkins / paper towels, and a utility knife.
Change of Clothes – Include a complete change of clothes for all family members such as: undergarments, tank-top / t-shirt, long-sleeve top, long-pants, hat, sweater / jacket / winter accessories (depending upon temperature), and poncho in case of rain. Dress in layers for the coldest temperature possible. Pack closed-toe, sturdy, waterproof shoes with socks.
Fire Extinguisher – If you don’t know how to use your fire extinguisher, take the time to learn NOW! If needed, label the fire extinguisher with instructions for use if you forget in the future.
Hand Crank / Battery Operated / Solar Radio (NOAA Weather Radio) – Stay on top of news & weather updates and important warnings & instructions with a radio that has an alternative power supply. This is the radio we have and recommend.
Baby Items – Bottle, Formula, Baby Food, Medication, Diapers, Wipes, Extra Clothes, Blanket / Stuffed Animal
Pet Items – Food, Medications, Water, Collapsible Bowl, Collar, Leash, Carrier, Sweater, Blanket, Toy
Entertainment – For adults: playing cards, books / magazines, board games, knitting / crocheting. For kids: children’s books, coloring books / crayons, small puzzles & games.
First Aid Kit & Book – At the minimum, be sure to have adhesive bandages, gauze, medical tape, hydrogen peroxide, and needle & thread. Consider keeping a first aid survival book with your first aid kit. Or create/print a one-pager of helpful first aid and survival tips.
Wrench / Pliers – For emergency shut-off of utilities. If you don’t know where or how to shut-off your utilities, take the time NOW to learn! If you need to, grab a label maker and label all the major systems in your utility room and instructions for use!
Whistle – In the event that your cell phone doesn’t work and you need to signal for help. Any cheap whistle that works will do!
Dust Mask – For filtering dust, debris, and contaminated air.
Plastic Sheeting / Duct Tape – For creating an impermeable barrier and sheltering in place.
Portable Waterproof Container – For storing your driver’s license, passport, credit cards, cash, travelers’ checks, matches, and vital cards & documents (physical copies or USB stick that contains home/medical/life insurance policies, household inventory, financial account information, medical information, birth certificates, titles, etc.).
Portable Technology & Chargers – Including laptop, cell phone, tablet, and any back-up batteries.
Important Phone Numbers List – In case you don’t have access to your cell phone, keep a printed list of all important phone numbers including family, friends, neighbors, doctors, and any other emergency contacts. This is the emergency contact list I use that has drop-down fields for every type of contact to include.
Mylar Blanket / Sleeping Bag – One per person.
Paper Map of Local Area – Keep paper maps for your area and any area you may need to reach.
If you already have an emergency kit, is there something you include in your kit that is helpful for others that I haven’t listed above? If so, leave a comment below for others to read!
I’ve been meaning to share this information in a video on my YouTube Channel for a couple of years now. Until then, I hope you found this list helpful! And if you know someone who could use this information, feel free to pass it on.
I hope you have a great Friday and weekend ahead!
Sending Love,
Alejandra
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