Just when we think that 2020 was the wild year, 2021 brings a crazy ice storm and leaving a ton
of homes without power. In conversation, some of us felt slightly prepared and others were
putting together things trying to be creative to just make due, feeling very unprepared. With
the cold snap and freeze storm just recently behind us, it’s a great opportunity to re-evaluate
the experience. Reviewing things that we had on hand and things that could have been helpful
and things that would be useful to have in the next circumstance of “unknowns.”
We hope everyone stayed warm and didn’t experience too much damage. We are still working
on branches and debris and bulking up our available emergency on-hand supplies. Here are a
few things to consider having around and storing if you are able to do so, or even buy over time
and keep for these moments of emergency or unknown.
Recommended having around:
- Water (one gallon per person for at least three days, drinking and sanitation)
- Food (at least three days supplies of non-perishable food, there are kits you can buy and keep
for longer durations that are specifically for emergency needs) - Manual can opener for food
- Flashlights
- Batteries for flashlights
- First aid kit & stocked up (Band-Aids, gloves, alcohol wipes, Neosporin, wraps)
Dust masks (think Oregon fires September 2020 and how bad the air was then)
Instant heat packets (think Oregon cold snap Feb 2021)
Moist towelettes (sanitizing wipes/disposable toilet wipes) - Garbage bags
- Plastic sheeting and duct tape (shelter in place)
- Wrench/pliers to turn off utilities
- Cell phone chargers/back up charger ready to go
- Matches/Lighters
- Wood
Other very important things to have on hand and be mindful of for emergency, that may need to be changed out as time passes:
- List of Important documents written up (in case you need to evacuate and you can grab these
documents immediately) - Cash available
- Extra pet food
- Infant formula/bottles/diapers/wipes
- PrescriptionsGlasses/contact lens and solution
- Sleeping bag/warm blankets
- Fire extinguisher
- Paper supplies (cups/plates/napkins/utensils)
- Paper & Pen
- Books/Games/Puzzle/Activities for children
- Extra gloves/warm hat
- Investments that are useful to have accessible:
- Headlights & extra batteries
- Multi-use knife (like a Leatherman/Swiss Army type)
- Extension cords
- Power station
- A generator
- Extra fuel
- Space heater
- Shoe crampons
What was the best thing you had accessible that helped you get through the past couple of big
moments of chaos?