Basic Essentials Kit for Hurricane Survival

There a really only six basic items you must stock for your home and family in preparation for the hurricane season. These are water, food, first aid supplies, clothing and bedding, tools and emergency supplies and special needs items. Once you have gathered what you need they must be able to be moved quickly by storing them in an easy to carry container. Containers could be large trash cans, backpacks, duffel bags, plastic store all containers or anything similar. Remember when packing these containers to keep them light enough to be carried by one person.

Water is an essential part of any survival kit. A normal person should consume about 2 quarts of water per day but in a stressful situation or when temperatures are extreme they will need more. So when planning for water you plan on a minimum of 1 gallon per person per day. That is two quarts for drinking and two quarts for food preparation and sanitation.

Food is an essential part of getting by and stressful environments will eat up the calories that a normal person ingests. Store at least a three day supply of non-perishable food. Always select food that requires no refrigeration and very little if any cooking and little or no water. If you have food that requires heating ensure that you have a can of Sterno or military heat tabs available for use. Items that should be packed include:

Ready to eat canned meat, fruits and vegetables
High energy foods (trail mixes and granola bars)
Vitamins
Baby foods and formulas if you have small children
Comfort foods to help relieve the stress
Canned juices
Spices or sauces that make your food more palatable

In times of danger even small scrapes and bruises can cause serious problems. Making sure you have an adequate supply of basic items will insure the health of your family.