Emergency Kit for Your Home

Take time to evaluate your home's emergency kit. A battery-powered radio, a first-aid kit, blankets, several gallons of fresh water, tools for shutting off gas and water lines, candles and matches, flashlights and batteries should all be included. Check the batteries — they can drain with time, even if not used. If you live in an area with extremely cold winters, make sure you have a backup heat supply, whether it's a wood stove and a well-stocked woodshed, or a backup generator. If you live in hurricane country, keep a supply of plywood for protecting windows. Residents of earthquake-vulnerable areas should have water and food to last several days. If you are a camper, consider keeping your camping supplies near your emergency stash — camp stoves, waterproof matches and tarps are all items that could come in handy should disaster strike.