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Severe Weather Emergency Preparedness Checklist

Severe weather can happen at a moment’s notice.  Always be prepared by keeping these items on hand with this inclement weather emergency preparedness kit.

THDProspective Tool Review*This post is sponsored by The Home Depot.

Today the world is in a bind, a consequence of man’s prolonged abuse of the earth and the subsequent effect of global warming causing erratic weather pattern and unimaginable devastation worldwide.  Hurricane seasons are longer and sea level is rising. Winter patterns have become extreme. More power lines are icing over as well as the volume of snow can be so intense in areas that rarely see snow.

Emergency Preparedness Checklist for Severe Weather - ToolBoxDivas

What is severe weather?

Severe weather can be a hurricane, tornado, flooding caused by heavy rainfall, freezing rain, and or blizzard conditions.  It can even be hail or high winds.

Before you are left stranded, out of food, out of water, no first aid nor the ability to see and hear what is going on around you, it is time you take the preemptive step to make yourself  an emergency kit that can respond to most of the potential situations that you might face in event of a weather emergency.

When harsh weather hits, you may be out of power and or unable to leave your home for several days. During Hurricane Sandy, 8.5 million people were without power for 7 whole days. Being prepared means having a supply of water, food a first aid kit and some tech to last for at least three days.

A disaster or severe weather preparedness kit is a collection of supplies and basic items you may need in the event of an emergency.

Recommended Supplies To Include In Your Kit:

  • Water: One gallon of water per person per day for drinking and sanitation is what’s recommended.
  • Non-Perishable Food: Stock canned goods of all sort. Keep on hand enough food that can get you through 2 -3 days. With that said, avoid foods that will leave you thirsty like salty chips.
    • In the event of a power outage keep the refrigerator closed as much as possible to keep milk and other beverages cool as long as possible. Powdered milk and other powdered flavor drinks should be stockpiled as well. And while powered milk sounds gross, I can recall as a kid going through hurricane Hugo back in 1989 ( a category 4 hurricane) we were out of power for over a month and having the ability eat cereal made the ordeal bearable. (Hahaha the little things.)
  • Battery operated lights. Flashlights and other lights that you can take and walk around the house with are essential.  I especially love lights that have a long battery life because its LED and lights I don’t have to hold in my hands constantly.  
  • A Battery Powered Radio like the Ridgid 18V Compact Radio With Bluetooth is essential during severe and inclement weather conditions.  It will enable you to tune in to your local broadcasting station as well as NOAA weather radio for alerts and updates. 
  • First Aid Kit – 171-Piece Base Camp Emergency First Aid Kit  You always need a band-aid when it’s not around. Hahaha.  So keep some on stock for the just in case situations.  
  • A Car Inverter – Tripp Lite 375-Watt PowerVerter Ultra-Compact Car Inverter with 2-Outlets. While many people would say just get a generator, the truth is a generator is not always available to everyone for different reasons such as price or you live in an apartment with no outdoor area to hold or place a generator.  For that reason, I recommend a car inverter.  You can utilize your car’s battery to charge your phone or laptop.   I used mine to inflate a mattress while camping.  It works.  And it an affordable alternative to a generator.
  • Wrench and Pliers Set – Husky Pliers and Wrench Set (3-Piece)   A wrench and pliers can be used in the event you have to turn off your utilities.

 

Tips And Things to Keep in Mind

  • In the event of inclement weather make sure you have a full tank of gas.  The inverter is useless if you can’t run your vehicle.
  • Make sure the batteries for all your tools and systems are fully charged.
  • In the case of power outage during the winter, keep enough blankets and sleeping bags on hand for each person in the household.
  • Don’t forget your pet. Have extra food and water stored for your dog or cat.
  • If your kit contains canned food be sure to include a can opener.

 

Interested in reading more tool reviews?

Review of Bosch BLAZE 135 ft. Laser Measure (The New Tape Measure)

Review of the Ryobi 18-Volt ONE+ Brushless Drywall Screw Gun

 

I acknowledge that The Home Depot is partnering with me to participate in the ProSpective 2018 Campaign. As a part of the Program, I am receiving compensation in the form of products and services, for the purpose of promoting The Home Depot. All expressed opinions and experiences are my own words. My post complies with the Word Of Mouth Marketing Association (WOMMA) Ethics Code and applicable Federal Trade Commission guidelines.

 

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