Supplies You Need In Your Home

Hurricanes are tropical cyclones or storms that form in the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea, and in the southern Atlantic and eastern Pacific Oceans. In the Northern Hemisphere, they have a counterclockwise circulation of winds accompanied by torrential rains and strong thunderstorms. These winds, rains, and thunderstorms can cause catastrophic damage to coastlines and areas hundreds of miles inland.

The Atlantic hurricane season starts June 1 and ends November 30. For six months,
anyone residing on the Atlantic or Gulf of Mexico coastal areas needs to prepare for when one of these storms makes landfall in their vicinity. Anything is possible, as these forces of nature can produce more than 155 mph winds along with tornadoes and flooding. With that said, here are six essential items to keep handy for when you’re caught in the eye of the storm.

Drinking Water

Water is essential to life, and having an emergency stock of it in your home at all times (let alone hurricane season) is important. Remember to have at least one gallon per person per day filled in an unbreakable container. Avoid using containers that can break or decompose including glass bottles or milk cartons. Children, nursing mothers, elderly, and ill people will need more than this minimal amount. If you live in a hot environment, expect to do strenuous activities after the storm, or have pets, double the amount of water you stockpile.

In addition, sanitation and food preparation need at least another two quarts per person daily. Water can go bad, so remember to rotate the water you stockpile for emergencies annually. If you can, buy bottled water that’s sealed instead of unsealed water that’s vulnerable to temperature changes.

Non-Perishable Food

Keep at least three to seven days’ worth of food on hand for each member of your family. Most of this food should come in cans and none of it should need cooking or refrigeration. The most ideal foods are:

Dried fruits, peanut butter, jelly, crackers, granola bars, and trail mix
Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits, and vegetables
Raw vegetables that don’t need refrigeration
Cookies, hard candy, and cereal

Other items you’ll want to keep handy include:

Coffee, tea, soft drinks, and canned juices and milk
Salt, pepper, and sugar in waterproof containers
Portable stove kit
Paper plates, cups, and plastic utensils
Aluminum foil
Vitamins
Plastic storage containers

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Sanitation Items

If a storm has passed through your area and your power cuts off, chances are it could take days or even weeks for it to come back on. In cases like this, it’s best to have a stockpile of items that will help you and your family remain as clean as possible. Be sure to include:

Toilet paper, soap, baby wipes, toilette’s, and liquid sanitizer
Toothpaste, deodorant, and shampoo
Liquid detergent
Feminine supply products
Plastic garbage bags
Plastic bucket with a tight lid
Bleach, disinfectant, and paper towels

First Aid Kit

While this may seem like a common sense item you should have in your household in case of an emergency, many people overlook it or don’t include the right items in it. When putting together your first aid kit, remember to include these items:

Adhesive bandages and sterile gauze pads
Germicidal hand wipes and alcohol-based hand sanitizer
Non-latex gloves, adhesive tape, anti-bacterial ointment, and antiseptic spray
Non-refrigerated cold packs, scissors, tweezers, and rubbing alcohol
CPR breathing barrier, thermometer, and safety pins

In addition to your basic first aid kit, you’ll want to add non-prescription drugs like aspirin, antacid, and activated charcoal. Also, include a large supply (30 days) of any prescription medications you take.

Clothing, Bedding, and Entertainment

In case your house incurs damage from the storm, it’s wise to have items that will help protect you and your family from the weather elements following it and give you some sense of comfort while waiting to return back to a life of normalcy. Keep these items in mind when preparing for a storm:

Sturdy shoes or work boots, hat, and gloves
Towels and sunglasses
Flashlight
Rain gear
Blankets, sleeping bags, and pillows
Tent
Lawn chairs
Board games, books, and a deck of cards
Extra batteries

Miscellaneous

Your home owners insurance may not cover the costs to get your house fixed right away because of the influx of requests it’ll receive after a storm, so it’s important to have as many items as possible to prepare you for the long haul. Here are some extra items you should consider adding to your stockpile to make sure you’re ready:

Portable generator
Wind-up or battery-operated clock
Cash or traveler’s checks
Camping utensils
Needles and thread
Citronella candles
Utility knife
Tarps
Matches in a waterproof container
Filled propane tanks
Basic tools like hammer, pliers, and screwdriver

If there’s a possibility of a hurricane hitting your area, then you’ll want to diligently prepare before the start of every season. If you wait until the last-minute, you’ll find yourself with nothing as people scrabble to get supplies and the shelves empty out. Although this list is extensive and seems overwhelming, it’ll save you and your family a lot of heartache and trouble in the long run.

Other useful resources:

Backyard Innovator (A Self Sustaining Source Of Fresh Meat,Vegetables And Clean Drinking Water)

Blackout USA (EMP survival and preparedness)

Conquering the coming collapse (Financial advice and preparedness )

Liberty Generator (Build and make your own energy source)

Backyard Liberty (Easy and cheap DIY Aquaponic system to grow your organic and living food bank)

Bullet Proof Home (A Prepper’s Guide in Safeguarding a Home )

Family Self Defense (Best Self Defense Strategies For You And Your Family)

Sold Out After Crisis (Best 37 Items To Hoard For A Long Term Crisis)

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