No one wants to think that the worst can happen to them. It’s easier to go through life thinking, “that could never happen to me.” The reality is, with our ever-changing climate, any state can be impacted by a natural disaster. Nine in ten Americans have been in or impacted by a natural disaster. It can feel overwhelming envisioning how you’d react to that type of situation, but the first step is always to be prepared. 

It is suggested that you have enough supplies to last your family for three full days -- more if you have access to it. You need to be prepared to not leave your home for a number of days following the disaster, considering there could be floods, down trees blocking roads, and other dangerous blockages that make it safer to be home. Here are some key supplies you should have on hand.

1. Water 

You should have 1 gallon of water per family member per day. You can never have too much water, as you use it for a variety of tasks -- staying hydrated, cooking, hygiene, and even your dishes. 

2. Food

The key here is to have non-perishable items. To play it safe, you should expect to lose power and not rely on refrigeration. Even if you have a backup battery generator, not having to keep your fridge powered opens the door to keep other appliances functioning. Keep in mind what foods will provide for a well-balanced diet, keeping your family full, but not requiring too many prepping ingredients. Try stocking up on canned soups, fruit, and vegetables and canned milk. If you keep your emergency kit on hand year-round, be sure to continuously check expiration dates and replace items.

3. Utensils

What’s the point of having all that food stocked up if you don’t have the proper utensils to eat it? Beyond plates, knives, spoons, and forks, be sure to have plenty of napkins, a can opener, and anything else you have that can help prep.

4. First-Aid Kits

Don’t let the idea of a first-aid kit scare you. Along with the usual items like creams and bandages, keep some splints and wraps in case of an injury that needs to be dressed, like a knock on the head or a broken arm. Be sure to also have at least a week’s worth of prescription medications, as well as other items like ibuprofen, diapers, and formula.

5. Safety Supplies

Aside from the first-aid kit, there are other items that can help make your family stay safe in an emergency. Having extra blankets, flashlights, and batteries is always a good idea. You can also keep a whistle in your kit or another device that helps make noise to let others know you are there. A great tool to have in the case of a power outage is an emergency backup battery generator. Geneverse (formerly Generark)’s HomePower ONE can power a wide variety of household devices that will keep your family connected and protected in any situation. 

6. Important Documents

Always keep your most important documents with-in reach in case you need to quickly evacuate. These include identification and health insurance cards, but also should include social security cards, marriage license, birth certificates, passports, and other insurance cards. Also keep contact information for family out of state who can or should be contacted if needed. Keep these documents in a waterproof and fire resistant box that can easily be transported. 

7. Extras

Beyond what we have outlined here as necessities, you can also include anything that would provide comfort to your family. If you have kids, maybe keep coloring supplies to keep them occupied. You can also keep some books that the whole family would enjoy reading together, or a deck of cards. 

8. Backup Power Source

Even after you have all these necessities organized, you can never be too prepared. To feel the most secure in facing an emergency, we recommend having a backup battery generator. A portable generator, like the HomePower ONE, allows you to power the devices of your choice for up to seven days. Stay connected by charging communication devices, feel protected by keeping your security system running, and even give back to the community by helping neighbors charge up. Bundling the generator with the SolarPower ONE will allow you to not only power USB-compatible devices, but also recharge your generator with natural sunlight for maximum power.

Summary

It is never too early to start preparing your family’s emergency kit. Having food, water, and first-aid supplies will bring a calming presence and peace of mind when facing an emergency situation. Don’t forget to have all irreplaceable documents on hand to easily grab in a hurry. It can also benefit you to have go-bags of clothes and supplies for your family to take in the car in a hurry, as well. To feel the most secure in an emergency, you can benefit from having a backup battery generator and solar panel power generator that can power home appliances and charge communication devices. 

About Geneverse: Geneverse (formerly Generark) is the most reliablesolar generator and source of emergency backup power for your home and community. From theHomePower backup battery power station providing portable access to electricity, to theSolarPowersolar panels as a source for recharging, never be disconnected from what matters most to you. Learn more about how Geneverse and its industry-leading 5-year limited warranty can bring protection and security to your family ongeneverse.com. Never face a power outage alone, and power your home with a solar generator from Geneverse.