Hurricane Harvey offered a grim reminder that there are still two months left in the official hurricane season. But when hurricane season ends, there could still be tornadoes, fires, blizzards and other extreme weather events. For the next few posts, I’m going to provide lists of and links to eco friendly emergency supplies that I hope will make it easier for you to deal with whatever disaster comes your way. They’re the same supplies I use in my own home, so I know they can come in handy if you lose power or water.

For today, here’s a general list of the supplies you need to get through the initial shock of a disaster, based on the recommendations of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Build Your Kit of Eco Friendly Emergency Supplies

Make sure your emergency kit is stocked with the items on the checklist below. Most of the items are inexpensive and easy to find, and any one of them could save your life.

Also, consider what unique needs your family might have, such as supplies for pets, seniors, or people with disabilities.

After an emergency, you may need to survive on your own for several days. Being prepared means having your own food, water and other supplies to last for at least 72 hours. Use this list as a starting point to figure out what you and your family need to make it through the first few days after a disaster strikes.

Basic Disaster Supplies Kit

As you assemble your kit, store items in airtight plastic bags and put your entire disaster supplies kit in one or two easy-to-carry containers such as waterproof plastic bins or a waterproof backpack.

A basic emergency supply kit should include the following recommended items:

• Water – One gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
• Water filter (Here’s a link to the LifeStraw pictured below; more options coming soon)
• Food – at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio (pictured right) with smart phone charger and flashlight, plus a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert
• Flashlight with solar rechargeable batteries or a crank recharger
• First aid kit
• Extra rechargeable batteries
• Whistle to signal for help
• Dust mask to help filter contaminated air
• Sleeping bags
• Tent or plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
• Manual can opener for food
• Local printed maps; don’t rely on being able to use Google Maps or Waze, as telecommunications and electricity may be down
• Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery
• Waterproof poncho

Additional Emergency Supplies

Consider adding the following items to your emergency supply kit based on your individual needs:

• Prescription medications
• Non-prescription medications such as pain relievers, anti-diarrhea medication, antacids or laxatives
• Glasses and contact lense solution
• Infant formula, bottles, diapers, wipes, diaper rash cream
• Pet food and extra water for your pet
• Cash or traveler’s checks
• Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records saved electronically or in a waterproof, portable container
• Complete change of clothing appropriate for your climate and sturdy shoes or boots
• Matches in a waterproof container
• Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
• Reusable mess kits, reusable stainless steel cups, plates, and cutlery
• Paper and pencil
• Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children

Keep your kit in a designated place and have it ready in case you need to leave your home quickly. Make sure all family members know where to find the kit.

If you think you may need to evacuate your home, put the kit right by your door or in your car so it is ready to go when you are.

The post Eco Friendly Emergency Supplies That Will Make Dealing With Disasters Easier appeared first on Big Green Purse.

BE PREPARED

* Stock up on flashlights, batteries, water, dry food, pet food, and candles before you need them. We were caught completely by surprise during the last storm, which knocked out power to our neighborhood for three-and-a-half days. Luckily, we had many of the devices I review below on hand; by the time we found an open store the next morning, they’d been cleaned out of almost all useful emergency supplies.

* Put emergency supplies where you can find them easily. I  keep two big bags full of battery-powered lamps, candles, flashlights and some snacks at the ready in the family room near our television set. The TV won’t work during a power outtage, but everyone knows where to find what they need to read or get around in the house.

* Create a checklist that’s relevant to your family, and review it with everyone in your household. Hopefully, in most cases, you won’t have to leave your home just because you lose your power. It’s a good idea to keep a bag packed with copies of your most important documents, medicine, and other essential items in case you need them.

SOLAR-POWERED BATTERIES 

Rechargeable batteries are terrific, but if your plug-in recharger uses electricity, it won’t help you much during an outtage. Keep a couple of solar-powered rechargers on hand to re-power the different sized batteries you may need. Or choose one versatile device, like the one pictured here, which is designed to charge 11 different types of batteries. A built-in meter shows you the strength of the sun, the strength of the current out-put from the solar panel, and the time required to fully charge the different types of batteries you have.  A built-in blocking diode prevents the reverse flow of electricity from charged batteries during storage.  A polycarbornate transparent cover makes the charger weather resistant. Though ideal in a power outtage, you can also use a recharger like this if you’re traveling, camping, boating, or anywhere else where you don’t have access to electricity.

SOLAR-POWERED FLASHLIGHTS

It’s pretty easy to power-up a solar flashlight – as long as you have sunlight and can set the light out where it gets full exposure for a few hours. This one  to the left is actually  two lights in one: an LED spotlight plus an adjustable LED lantern. You can recharge it by using its built-in solar panel or by drawing DC power from your vehicle’s cigarette lighter socket.

HAND-CRANKED FLASHLIGHTS & RADIOS 

Hand-cranked flashlights and radios are particularly convenient not only if you lose power, but if you have no sunlight for recharging your devices. I have a version of this model that I purchased after one outtage too many, which I keep in a handy kitchen drawer so I can find it any time I need it. What I like about it is that it has a great radio, built in flashlight, and a port so I can re-charge my cell phone as needed.

CHARGERS TO PLUG INTO CAR CIGARETTE LIGHTERS

As a matter of course, I keep a USB adapter like the one to the right plugged into my car’s cigarette lighter socket so I can easily recharge my cell phone when I’m driving, whether there’s a power outtage or not. I picked mine up at a local drugstore before the last storm hit.

HEADLAMPS

I use a headlamp like this one when I need to get around in the dark hands-free. It uses LED lights, so it is both extremely bright and very long-lasting. Keep two sets of batteries on hand so you can recharge one set while the other is in use.

This is the first in an ongoing series on eco-friendly emergency preparedness. You can find more great supply ideas in our store here.

NOTE: I have tried all of the devices described above at my own expense. If you purchase one from our Amazon store, we will earn a small commission that will help us continue to provide you with expert green living guidance. Thanks!  And if you have other devices that have helped you weather a power outtage, please let us know.

The post Rechargeable Batteries and Eco-Friendly Flashlights Will Help You Survive the Next Power Outtage appeared first on Big Green Purse.