Natural disasters and man-made disasters still happen even in the US.Hurricanes, snow storms, freezing rain and even a terrorist attack can cause the machine of the Western world to come to a halt.Every home should have an emergency preparedness plan and they should all have some basic supplies to get them through.Although the government is charged to protect us and provide for our basic needs in the event that any of these disasters happen, it doesn't always happen.Look at Katrina for example.And remember the last time you were in a snow storm or freezing rain and your power went out for days.I live in a very cosmopolitan city, and yet our power went out for 4 days during a freak snow storm.It's not uncommon.So here are some guidelines to think through when you're coming up with your emergency preparedness plan for your home.Every household should have a plan and enough supplies for at least 7 days.To be more secure, 2 weeks.That means you have enough non-perishable foods like canned vegetables, canned meats, dehydrated foods like instant noodles, and canned soups.These are all good food products for an emergency or disaster.For many homes it may be too expensive to buy 7 days worth of food all at once.In my household we just buy a few extra cans of food whenever we go shopping and put it in the basement so we don't eat it.If you do a couple of cans of food each time, it eventually adds up to a lot.Also, whenever there is a sale on canned goods we buy a whole case of it.We take half and put it in our pantry and take the other half to our basement.Water is also essential.Have 7 days worth of water, to drink, cook and wash.I know that seems like a lot of water, but what are you going to do during a disaster for water? Just have it stored in your basement.You also need a way to cook.Even if you have a gas stove, it may not work if there is a major disaster.I have a portable butane stove with about 6 cans of butane.That should hold me over for several weeks without power or gas.And it only cost about $25.Emergency light.In your emergency preparedness plan, you need to have enough light to get you through.That means you have several flash lights in your house with plenty of batteries.It's also good to have a batter powered lantern as well.One thing that I have that you don't absolutely need but is really nice to have is a portable car jump starter.Yes, I have it to jump my car battery in case it dies.But most car jump starters these days also come with a AC and DC power source.It's also rechargeable by hooking it up to your car's DC powersource.These things can run and charge small electronic devices like cell phones and laptops.You also want to have a communications plan.That means you need to have a cell phone or a land line that will work without power.You also need a battery powered radio to listen for news and government responses to the disaster.Everyone should have an emergency preparedness plan for their home.It's essential because disasters and power outages are inevitable, even in the developed world.
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