People vs Planet

Ah, storms. Anxiety inducing extreme weather brought by a very angry planet. As a Florida native, I’ve seen people that think they’re prepared until the moisture in the air turns a typical day into an emergency evacuation. Coincidentally, you aren’t aware of the things you need the most until it’s too late. Here’s how you prevent that with the right effort and thinking ahead.

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Each of the following will be categorized with the corresponding symbol as follows:
* one day, or green* + 4 days, or yellow+ ! 7days plus, or red!

1. Water and ways to purify it.

Dehydration is your biggest enemy in emergency situations. Each human being is different needing unique amounts of water. Most research will tell you that 5 gallons per day, per person is needed – that’s because hygiene is a factor. You’ll feel better the cleaner you are. Women typically need two liters a day, or 8 cups, but pregnant women need more. So, 10oz. or 12oz. water bottles are the best idea for drinking. If finding clean water is an issue, a purifier or filter device is a must in your emergency kit.

• water bottles
• can coozies or sleeve
• cooler
• filter pitcher
• plastic cups
• straws (metal is best, they’re cleanable)

Thinking ahead: Always have water saved somewhere in your home.

LifeStraw Water Filter is great because it’s easy to store, bags or individual straws. For every product purchased, a school child receives safe water for a year.

*	gallons of water	Save 2 liter soda bottles and milk jugs, they work great. Just remember to rotate them every three months.
+	purifier pitcher	Whether a purifier bottle or regular bottle, it’s ideal for each person to have their own so hydration can be tracked.
!	purifier tablets or purifier straw	Extreme events usually include contaminated water. It’s best to have an expert level filtration device for safety. (Not a bad idea to get some flavor packets.)

2. First Aid and Basic Toiletries

Emergency events lead to stress and panic, so (unless we’re in a 2020 time loop) toilet paper is the last thing people reach for when the wind picks up. It’s not a bad item to include, but baby wipes are best. They’re safe on all skin, have a cleanser on them, already packaged, and great on wounds. Speaking of, here are some basic items to stuff into a medical pouch or box:

• Band-Aids
• guaze (and scissors to cut it)
• med-tape
• antibacterial cream/spray
• icepacks
• antacid
• gum
• Benadryl
• Flashlight (for each person)

Thinking ahead: Many pre-made kits have a version of these things in them, usually a variety of sizes. Thanks to personal experience, and thinking ahead, below are some suggestions for adding to this roster.

*	hair help	Hair tie and a dry towel. Trust me, they’re both useful and wanted.
+	travel sized	super glue (sterile for cuts), toothpaste, brushes (teeth/hair), dry shampoo
!	sealed packs	laxative, anti-diarrheic, vitamin-C powder, Orajel (sterile to numb cuts), blister bandages, bar soap (no leaks), allergy eye drops, wash cloth, pocket mirror

3. Shelter and what helps keep it.

When the lights go out and the water stops working, even modern life gets more complicated. This is where the tubs and sinks full of water come in… to flush the toilet. You’ll need a pale. Along with these, here are things to gather up:

• plastic water-tight container to hold kit items
• tarp and tie downs
• plastic garbage bags
• weights (fishing weights are great for the tarp corners)
• duct tape/rope
• plywood (cover the windows)
• light sticks/candles/matches
• blankets (per person – even in heat, you get chills)

Thinking ahead: Things like plywood and plastic sheeting aren’t items most people have in storage. When major wind gusts call for windows being covered, consider finding heavy shower curtains in a pinch.

*	cash	Small bills. Registers and computers won’t calculate cards or change.
+	rain gear	Goggles, hats, and gloves… oh my. The debris after a storm turns everyone into Bob the Builder. Dust masks, N95 if possible. Don’t add lung issues to the chaos.
!	generator	A week without power anywhere now is no joke, but Florida is just punishment. Having a working fan to sit in front of after clearing a yard is bliss. Get an air mattress and/or sleeping bags. Taking turns using it is enough to relieve back pain if you’re in a situation that calls for sleeping on the ground.

4. Food and how to cook it.

Even a few hours with no power to the fridge has the home food shopper sweating. The planet is volatile with crazy weather getting crazier. Consequently, make sure to stock up any canned goods and shelf-stable goodies as often as the paycheck allows.

• take-out menus
• grill
• cooking gloves (no food poisoning!)
• scissors
• bleach
• paper plates
• burn cream (faster than the med kit)

Thinking ahead: Seasons are different for storms all over, so consider what you’d want to eat when the lights go out. Sweltering heat, soggy rain, or bone-chilling cold; picky eaters are still picky in the dark.

*	take-out menus	Know where these are. Power out for any length of time dents a routine, especially with kids. Make sure the restaurant has had power to keep the food safe.
+	grill kit	can opener, gas or coal grill, cooler, ice, cooking utensils, lighter fluid or starter, flint (you never know), S&P (bland gets old fast), condiment packets, quiet snacks (less stress), wrench/pliers/multi-tool, extra water jugs and water filters for 2 more days.
!	safety gear	fire extinguisher, portable air cleaner with Hepa filter, electrolyte powder or sports drinks, enough water for over a week per person.

5. Communication and the tech to make it happen.

Yeah… screens. They’re a must now, so have a way to charge it. Rotate the use of devices to conserve power when you know the power is going to be out for a while. Anyone under the age of 100 is going to want to know what’s happening, so make sure you have the following:

• phones, tablet, laptop
• chargers for all devices (look for the portable batteries)
• car charger
• notebook/pencil
• list of phone numbers (in ancient form… paper)
• battery radio/crank radio (put a sticker on it with stations to find for emergencies)
• Ziplock bags (even if your cases are watertight or waterproof)
• important papers (in sealed plastic – you do not want to replace government documents!)

Thinking ahead: Buy new headphones specifically for this kit. You’ll know they work.

*	headphones	Try to see who can go the longest without device entertainment. The winner picks the movie/show everyone watches first. After that, whoever has the device has headphones that work. Lots of people in quiet spaces is louder than you think.
+	map of shelters	When you need to find a shelter, there’s few or no ways to locate one after the storm. Think ahead: Know the safest location for your family needs, especially if someone needs power for medical reasons.
!	safety gear	signal flare, whistles per family member, halogen flashlight, batteries taped to the flashlight, neon tape or reflective item to be seen easily

6. Comfort and the things you’d likely forget.

This isn’t just comfort for the event, it’s also for after. Everyone is asked sometime what they would take with them if they had to leave right now. It’s rarely what you think it is. Pay attention to the item(s) in your life that would be devastating to lose. Those are what you make sure to grab. Anything in that category might be in this list:

• pillow/cuddle blanket or bear
• cooling or heating packs
• photos/keepsake
• valuables (possibly that can be traded or sold)

Thinking ahead: Our kids have duplicates of their favorite snuggle items. They won’t feel or smell the same, but should we need to replace the item we already have the backup.

*	battery-free entertainment	Even if it’s a favorite book, remember, only one device gets used at a time. Board games are great, but the fewer pieces the better.
+	change of clothes	Space it out, but changing your clothing does wonders for your mental health. Have a bag for the soiled laundry. Books, games, minimal toys; it’s going to be a long few days.
!	thick socks and more clothes	Two pair of pants/underwear, two more shirts, sunglasses/hats, but most of all: thick socks and extra shoes. Removing the ability to walk makes things 100 times more dangerous and complicated. Take care of your feet! Pillows, eye cover, earplugs; anything that helps you sleep. Tarp or sheet with magnets for the car as a privacy curtain.

7. Pets and all their needed goodies.

Don’t forget the four-legged friends (or whatever you’ve adopted)! You know what your furball needs the most, so have that list written and attached to the container. Keeping up with their menagerie is difficult enough before the weather goes sideways. Here are some things to include:

• evac-sack (or a pillow case)
• photocopies of medical records
• recent photo (printed)
• water-tight container with meds (rotate these every few months)
• pet first-aid and guide to use it
• snacks and food
• water specifically for the pet
• favorite toy/blanket
• flashlight

Thinking ahead: These could be difficult to stuff in a bag, especially the toy. Maybe have a way to attach the toy to the pet, if possible, to ensure it isn’t lost. Pacifier clips and ribbons with snaps work well.

*	stress helper	Depending on the cause for the need, have your calming solution stored with their food. (Thunder blanket, back up toy, calming meds, etc.) It just makes life easier.
+	potty prevention	litter, disposable container (roasting pan), potty bags, canned food (rotate every 2 months), puppy pads, extra collars/badges/harness/leash, travel carrier/crate
!	minimize stress	extra stress meds/chews, something to chew, liquid soap/disinfectant, outdoor gear (t-shirt, pj’s, weather shoes), light-up accessories if possible, water supply for animal

The longest this family has gone without water is 3 days, the longest without power is 27 days. So, I have Two things in mind to wrap this up:

• Stay calm and be kind to each other. It’s stressful enough, try not to amplify the cortisol levels.
• It really will be okay. As bad as it gets, things have a way of working out.

Thank you for visiting People vs Planet. Please let me know if there are any posts you’d like to see.