Make an Emergency Kit

You should always keep an emergency kit at the ready. There are so many possible situations that would require you to be prepared to take care of your family's needs without access to outside supplies. Many of these situations, like earthquakes and floods, give you no notice. Even in situations like hurricanes where you do get some notice, the stores are packed with people trying to prepare. So get your earthquake kit ready now and you'll be prepared for anything.

Here are the items you should include in your first aid kit:

Water. You need at least one gallon of water per person per day for three days. Bottled water is ideal, since it can be stored at room temperature indefinitely. Make sure it's properly sealed and keep it out of direct sunlight.

Food. You need at least three days' worth of nonperishable food for each person and pet. Food should be ready to eat, like dry cereal, peanut butter and canned goods. You may be without a way to cook or keep foods cold. Don't forget the manual can opener!

First-aid Kit. Your first aid kit should include bandages, antiseptic wipes, hand sanitizer, antibiotic ointment, burn ointment, calamine lotion, hydrocortisone cream, cold packs, eye wash solution, gauze, gloves, scissors, tape, tweezers and a first aid manual.

Medicines. Include any prescription and over the counter medications that your family might need. Don't forget antihistamines, like Benadryl, pain reliever, Pepto Bismol and antacids.

Every year you should check on your emergency kit. Foods and medicines expire and will need to be rotated out. Set a date that you'll remember each year. A lot of people change the batteries in the smoke alarms and review their emergency kits twice a year when daylight savings changes.

Coleen Bennett is a pet owner in Southern California. She has a000008A7 dog and two tortoises. She also maintains a website for pet insurance comparison and VIP Pet Insurance

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