Emergencies and disasters can happen anytime, anywhere and in any form. Will you be prepared?
Replenish for freshness
- Up-to-date list of family medicines and dosages, along with doctor and pharmacy phone numbers, and a two-week supply of prescription medicines.
- Enough non-perishable food to feed your family and pets for three to seven days. Special dietary foods or baby food and formula, if needed. Replenish every six months.
- One gallon of drinking water per person, per day, plus water for cooking and washing (minimum seven days). Stock up on a few cases of bottled waters at your home and/or workplace in the event that there is a “boil water” order.
- Extra batteries for a camera, flashlight, radio, portable TV, lamp, etc.
- Infant items (medicine, sterile water, diapers, ready formula, bottles), if needed.
Stow until needed:
- First aid kit including bandages, antiseptic, tape, compresses, aspirin and aspirin-free pain reliever, anti-diarrhea medication, antacid, and important phone numbers.
- Flashlights and batteries for each family member
- Portable radio and batteries
- Non-electric can opener
- Fire extinguisher (small canister, ABC type)
- Instant tire sealer
- Whistle and/or distress flag
- Mosquito repellent
- Sunscreen
- Plastic tarp, screening, tools, and nails, etc.
- Water purification kit (tablets, chlorine (plain) and iodine)
- Plastic trash bags
- Clean-up supplies (mop, buckets, towels, disinfectant)
- Garbage can or bucket with tight-fitting lid and cat litter (emergency toilet)
- Toilet paper, paper towels, and pre-moistened towelettes or baby wipes
If you evacuate, you should also take:
- Pillows, blankets, sleeping bags or air mattresses
- Extra clothing, shoes, eyeglasses, hearing aids (and batteries)
- Folding chairs, lawn chairs, or cots
- Hygiene items (toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, etc.)
- Quiet games, books, playing cards, and favorite toys for children
- Important papers and irreplaceable keepsakes (driver’s license, special medical information, insurance policies, property inventories, photographs, etc.)
Items for before and after a storm:
- Emergency charger for cell phones and other devices (consider a solar powered alternative)
- An old-fashioned corded telephone that does not require electricity (i.e. not a cordless phone or cell phone)
- Cash (with no power, banks may be closed; checks and credit cards may not be accepted, and ATMs may not be operational)
- Charcoal, matches, and grill (do not use indoors)
- Fuel
- Ice chest / cooler and ice
What about filling my prescription medication?
Per Florida State Statute 252.358, during a state of emergency, health insurers, managed care organizations, and other licensed entities shall waive time restrictions on prescription medication refills to allow refills in advance.