September is “National Preparedness Month,” and a good time to update or create your emergency kit. 
If you’re like most people, and you have put together a basic emergency ‘grab and go’ bag for yourself and/or your family, chances are that it’s sitting in a closet or the garage and hasn’t been updated in a while. During “National Preparedness Month,” JB Safety Services, Inc. would like to remind you that contents such as water, food and medicines should be ‘refreshed’ at least once a year, if not more often.
If you haven’t put together a ‘grab and go’ bag – or even if you have – now is the time to create or update your kit.
Emergency supply kits at home and at work should contain:
- Three days supply of water (one gallon per person, per day) and non-perishable food. (Remember to change food and water every six months).
- Eyeglasses, hearing aids, extra keys.
- First-aid kit, extra prescription medications, copies of prescriptions, other special medical items.
- Special supplies needed for babies or older adults.
- Important documents and records, photo IDs, proof of residence.
- Cash (power outages mean banks and ATMs may be unavailable).
- Battery-operated radio and flashlight with extra batteries.
- Phone numbers of family and friends.
- Road maps, a travel plan, hotel reservations, list of places between your town and your destination where you can stop if the highways are clogged.
- Coolers for food and ice storage, paper plates, plastic utensils.
- Manual can opener, booster cables, tools.
- Blankets, pillows, sleeping bags and extra clothing.
- Toilet paper, cleanup supplies, personal hygiene products, anti-bacterial wipes.
- Pet supplies (food, water and medicines).