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Living in Ohio, I haven’t had to deal with a whole lot of worrying about natural disasters. We live far enough inland that we don’t have to regularly worry about hurricanes or major flooding, or earthquakes. We have an occasional tornado, and flash floods but things are usually back to normal in just a few hours. A few years ago we had a huge storm roll in with ‘hurricane winds’ and it threw us Ohioans for a loop. Power was out for days and weeks for some, and it seemed no one was prepared. It was uncomfortable, stressful, and boring! At the time I had a newborn baby, and 2 young girls. So I promised myself that I would have a plan (and a stock of Duracell batteries) to keep them occupied – and a survival kit – in case it ever happened again.
The first thing I did was make a trip to Walmart. There were a few things I needed to restock, and a few new items to pick up for my ’emergency backpack’. I knew the biggest thing I needed to stock up on was Duracell batteries. Pretty much everything we need to use in an emergency needs batteries. My battery-powered lanterns, flashlights, and storm radios.
I picked up quite a few necessities to make sure we are prepared ‘just in case’. Here is a simple, easy to follow list of ‘must have’s’ in case of an emergency.
You will need:
- Water—one gallon per person, per day
- Food—nonperishable, easy-to-prepare items
- Flashlight
- Battery powered or hand crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio, if possible)
- Extra Duracell batteries
- First aid kit
- Medications (7-day supply), other medical supplies, and medical paperwork (e.g., medication list and pertinent medical information)
- Multipurpose tool (e.g., Swiss army knife)
- Sanitation and personal hygiene items
- Copies of personal documents (e.g., proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, and insurance policies)
- Cell phone with chargers (car chargers to charge your phone off your car battery)
- Family and emergency contact information
- Extra cash
- Emergency blanket
- Map(s) of the area
- Extra set of car keys and house keys
- Manual can opener
I also picked up a few things, and made a list, to keep the kids busy if the power does go out -since they won’t be able to watch movies, play video games, or chat with their friends via instant messenger (I kinda’ can’t wait for the power to go out..shh! don’t tell them)
1. READ by flashlight – My kids love to read. It’s a great thing, but a lot of times they get too busy with tech gadget and friends that they don’t read as much as I would like them to. I played smart and picked up some classics (think Beverly Clearly) from a yard sale this summer. I put them in our ’emergency bags’ for reading material while the lights are out.
2. Play board games. Too often again, we don’t sit down and play together as much as I’d like. We play family video games, outdoor games and such, but not a lot of board games. I made sure to have a deck of Uno cards, The Game of Life, Monopoly, and Beat the Parents. With our handy little battery-operated lantern we can sit in the living room or at the kitchen table and literally have hours of fun!
3. Have a Dance Off. Having a dance competition with the kids has always been fun. It’s great to get a laugh (usually at me), and plus it burns the extra energy the kids have built up by being stuck inside (BONUS)
4. Camp out. If the weather isn’t bad, and you’re just waiting for power to come back on, camping out in the back yard is a great idea. You can roast marshmallows over the fire, roast some hot dogs, and sit around and talk. It’s a great way to make the best of the situation, and the kids always love the adventure!
5. Pay it Forward. My family has always been big on helping others. Taking extra bottles of water, food, or medicine to needy neighbors can definitely help the kids realize how important it is to be prepared – and to take care of each other.
6. Take a Bubble Bath. O.K. so this one is more for Mom, but relaxing in a bubble bath with some candles is a nice way to regroup, refresh yourself and prepare yourself for what might come next. Taking time for you is important no matter what is going on.
Such a great reminder to always have batteries on hand. We go through tons between kids toys, remotes and just making sure we have them in the drawer.
We are lucky in the UK that we do not have storms that cut off the power so much,But saying that it is always good to be prepared.
What a great idea. We also get the occasional storm in IN and its always good to be prepared!
That is one serious list! I really need to get better about prepping for a power outage!
Thank you for sharing your emergency items list. These things are very important to have prepared before a storm. Hurricane season is quickly approaching for us here in FL!
We go through so many batteries that when we do need them, I’m sure they’ll not be there. I try though. I really do (to keep them stocked). 🙂
I have flashlights in each room (and several closets) just in case we’re without power. My son recently discovered the excitement of flashlights, so I need to go check batteries!
Beverly Cleary books– I completely forgot about them, but I LOVED them as a kid!
This is a great list of stuff! I really need to get a kit together.
YES! Duracell batteries are definitely in my survival kit. You’ve got it covered with your list too!
Living in Oklahoma I understand the importance of a kit. Batteries are so necessary.
These are great ideas. The boys love to read and would love to read with a lantern.
We have a battery drawer! Love these ides- even thought we don’t have kids, we need to stay entertained.
We never had a stash of batteries until we had a kid. All those toys made us stock up and we have lots of sizes.
I love Beverly Cleary! I am going to toss some books down with my safety kit now. Thanks.
We have snacks, games and books ready if our power goes out. Good to be prepared.
My kids are like that with reading too. Great tips!
Love this! I’d never have thought to put books in the kit!
I need to stock up on batteries. Looks like a great kit
We lose power all the time. At least 5 times a year for several days at a time. We finally bit the bullet and bought a generator. Duracell did save our sanity during those power outage days in the past though!
We always have batteries on hand, but we should probably have more! It’s so scary when the power goes out, but we always make great family memories when it does.
Duracells are definitely the only battery I use for my camera. I always have some on hand!
Great list of items to be prepared! We each have a go bag ready at all times.
we had a terrible winter, lots of outages. We now have a great supply of batteries, flashlights and lanterns
We live in hurricane valley – lol. OK That’s not a real name, but we are prepared for hurricanes, tornadoes, and tons of lightning storms here in florida. Great post
We need lots of board games for the kids! Extra batteries and flashlights are important! Love this kit
It’s hurricane season in SC and we just went and stocked up on the staples. Of course the first thing in the buggie was batteries.
These are great tips, especially with hurricane season in lots of parts. Duracell is a company you can always count on!
Batteries, flashlight, water, and activities for kids are in our survival kit. I can’t wait for all of our outdoor adventures this month!
Great reminders for a power outage. I do love camp fires!
Great ideas! I know that I need to be better prepared!
We like to set lanterns out and then just tell stories and make up games. It’s kind of a treat when the power goes out!
Love the camping out idea. That sounds like fun.
It’s so important to be prepared! This is a great list of things to keep on hand
Great list and I love the tip about the manual can opener. I do not have that on my list. Thanks for sharing!
Lots of board games, made up games, going for walks (if weather isn’t bad), crafting, reading… there really is a lot you can do without electricity!
After experiencing an earthquake a few years ago and living in tornado valley for 11 years I have to have my emergency stuff in order to feel comfortable
Great list! I have been through a couple of hurricanes and live in an area with a lot of power outages. I try to always be prepared.
I live in Virginia and these are wonderful tips, that come in handy during hurricane season! It never hurts to be prepared!
With so many summer storms, you have to be prepared! Love your ideas!
The power goes out quite often here in Northern Michigan, I’m always scrambling when a storm rolls in to see if the batteries are still good. This is a great reminder to go stock up now!
Great ideas, there has been times in the past we were not prepared having little kids, it can be a disaster. Having a “Kit” filled with essentials is fabulous.
I definitely need to pick up a battery powered phone/device charger and a lantern. I love the idea of a lantern in addition to our flashlights. Thanks for sharing! #client
Those are wonderful ideas! We have lots of batteries and they get replenished as use.
I sure hope we don’t get any weather that causes our power to go out! These are all great ideas, though. We have a good stock of batteries just in case.