Natural disasters and nuisances come at staggering rates these days, from the horrific tornadoes in the South to the back-to-back power outages that plagued the New Jersey/New York area following Hurricane Sandy and an early snowstorm.And with such a broad array of possible attacks, being prepared can be daunting.
“You obviously don’t want a 50- pound sack preparing for everything you can possibly imagine,” says William Gluckman, the president and CEO of FastER Urgent Care in Morristown, and a trained hazardous-materials technician through the New Jersey State Police.
But it’s possible to be prepared without going overboard. Having key items on hand at all times can benefit any household hoping to stay on top in the safety department. Here are 10 suggestions for items to keep on stock at all times, just in case.
1. Drinking water
“Drinking water is No. 1,” Gluckman says.The amount needed depends on the number of people in the family.
“Generally, I’d say you want a gallon of water per day, per person,” he says.
2. Ready-to-go food
Cans and other nonperishable food items are obvious selections to keep in stock, but self-heated meals, such as HeaterMeals, also are valuable. In the absence of electricity, HeaterMeals employ a flameless ration heater that can raise the temperature of an 8 oz. food pouch at least 100 degrees F, according to the product’s website.
The meals also are relatively nutritious, with options like chicken pasta, green pepper steak with rice, vegetarian threecheese lasagna and potatoes with beef.
3. Solar charger
Gone are the days that communication is barred by fallen telephone poles.
Cell phones have increased security measures tenfold. But a dead cell phone is just as invaluable, so investing in a solar charger is a good idea, according to Gluckman.
4. Medicine
Aspirin, the handy, family-favorite miracle drug, should be in every home and is actually best served in chewable form for emergencies.
“Four 81-milligram chewable aspirin is the first line of treatment if a possible heart attack occurs,” says Dan Williams, a clinical psychologist at Cherokee Health Systems,Alcoa,Tenn.
Williams, developer and co-owner of Survive Outdoors, a website devoted to first aid and outdoor skills, also suggests keeping ibuprofen for pain relief, aceta- minophen for fever reduction, diphenydramine and over-the-counter Benadryl for allergic reactions, and basic antacids, anti-diarrheal agents and laxatives.
5. Prescription medicine
Keeping extra personal prescriptions on hand also could be a lifesaver.
“Murphy’s Law would say that the day you’re going to pick up the resale on your prescription is the day you’re going have a problem,” Gluckman says.
6. Space blanket
“Heat loss is a big problem for a trauma patient,” says Gluckman, who suggests keeping a space or a thermal blanket to use in a situation when the power is out and a person may be suffering an injury.
7. Radio
It may be old school, but having a battery-operated radio with basic AM capabilities can keep those trapped in their homes up-to-date on the goings-on outdoors.
“There are plenty of local stations that will be giving warnings for floods and other impending problems,” Gluckman says.
8. Wound dressings
In the event of an injury, it’s always important to have proper and clean materials for dressing wounds.
Gluckman and Williams both suggest bandages, wraps and gauze, including a variety of bandage sizes, as wound-size will vary. 9. Topical antibiotic ointments
Before dressing a wound, clean it to ward off later side effects, like disease and infection. Having a strong topical antibiotic ointment can do this, but Williams says to be careful.
“Twenty to 25 percent of the population is allergic to neomycin,” he says, noting the common antibiotic-ointment ingredient.“I would advise an ointment without that ingredient, like bacitracin.”
10. Working carbon monoxide and smoke detectors
While detectors may not fit into a ready-to-go kit, they’re some of the most important safety tools for a household, according to Gluckman. Be sure to keep them loaded with fresh batteries and subject them to regular tests.They can alert people to immediate dangers even when the power is out.
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