Replenish Those Emergency Kits!

6/26/2020 (Permalink)

If these past months of 2020 have taught us anything, it’s this:  Be Prepared!  Be prepared for anything.  With Hurricane Season off to a quick and busy start, it is essential that we be prepared for weather-related disasters that could disrupt our daily lives.   If we had a home emergency kit prepared, we may have depleted some of those staples due to stores being closed, supplies being scarce and sheer necessity during the COVID-19 pandemic.   Now that the economy is beginning to open again and supplies are starting to get easier to acquire, we need to replenish our home emergency kits and perhaps consider a few other types of emergency kits so we can be ready in any emergency. 

First consider what types of emergencies you may encounter.

• Sheltering at home or quarantine, as we have been experiencing with COVID-19, requires a well-stocked home emergency kit with the typical supplies and additional food and personal items, since the store shelves were nearly empty in Morris County. For a list of stay at home emergency supplies for your family home kit, visit FEMA.gov here:  https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/1584362227817-a2800c83ada65c68cdaaa34d7f7729e0/checklist.pdf You may have to adjust this list according to your own personal needs and those of your family.

• Evacuating your home. If you live in a flood prone area or experience a hurricane or wildfire, you may need to leave with only a few minutes notice.  In this case you would need a Bug-Out-Bag (BOB).  Everything you need packed in a backpack, duffel bag or even plastic totes which are stored near the door for a quick exit.  This typically includes the supplies mentioned above, as well as a change of clothing, important insurance documents, and some additional items.  The American Red Cross has some suggestions here:  https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/survival-kit-supplies.html

• Evacuating your office or place of business. A backpack that would contain the essentials to get you home in case of a larger emergency that disrupts transportation.  Consider these items:  water bottles, enough to stay hydrated if you have to walk home; sneakers or sturdy shoes; a change of clothes; cash; N-95 mask; small first aid kit; nuts or nutrition bars. This bag could be kept under your desk or in your vehicle. 

No matter what the situation requires, being prepared and having a plan will help us stay calm and focused.  If your home or business suffers any type of disaster, we are here to help. 

Call us anytime, 24/7/365 @ 973-983-5657. SERVPRO® of North Morris County is prepared to assist you to make it "Like it never even happened."