4. In the event of icy, impassable roads, do you have enough water and non-perishable foods at home in a worst-case scenario—say up to three weeks? Do you have enough water to flush toilets in case of power failure? Wal-Mart sells seven gallon water containers for camping which are ideal for storing water for such a use.
5. Do you have enough water, warm clothing, non-perishable food, and warm blankets in your car to last a couple of days?
6. Do you have a battery-operated radio and flashlight in your home and car?
7. Do you have extra copies of important documents, including prescription labels, driver’s license, credit cards, wills, insurance policies, birth certificates, and social security cards, in a place other than your home? Do you keep the ones you have at home in a fire and water-proof box?
8. Do you have a first-aid kit in both your car and your home?
9. What plans have you made to keep in touch with loved ones in the event of a massive power outage? Although it is a good idea to keep your cell phones charged, transmission towers rely on electricity. Therefore, even a charged cell phone may not work until you can arrive at an area which still has electric power in tact.
10. If you had to escape your home by foot, are you prepared? Do you have a suitcase packed with essentials, such as water, nutrition bars, extra clothing and prescription medications?
11. Do you have extra cash on hand in a safe, but easily accessible place?
12. What plans do you have to keep pets safe? And last, but perhaps not least, what else do you do want to keep safe? Cherished love letters? Family photographs? College diplomas? The list could go on and on. Only you know what is important to you.
