Since we are approximately half way through hurricane season, preparing for an emergency remains essential to ensure the safety of you and your loved ones. Hurricane season can be especially dangerous, so it’s important to have a plan in place. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends having an easy-to-carry emergency-preparedness kit that you can use at home or take with you in case you must evacuate. At a minimum, you should have these basic supplies:

• Water: one gallon per person, per day (3-day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for home).
• Food: non-perishable, easy-to-prepare items (3-day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for home).
• Flashlight.
• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio, if possible).
• Extra batteries.
• First aid kit.
• Medications (7-day supply) and medical items.
• Multi-purpose tool, like a Swiss Army knife.
• Sanitation and personal hygiene items.
• Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies).
• Cell phone with charger.
• Family and emergency contact information.
• Extra cash (ATMs might be inoperable).
• Extra fuel for the generator and car.

Depending on your family’s requirements, you may need to include: medical-care items, baby supplies, pet supplies and other things such as extra car and house keys. Additional supplies might include towels, plastic sheeting, duct tape, scissors and work gloves. 

Joseph’s Harvest offers a variety of emergency supplies that can help you prepare for hurricane season. You can find their products at www.josephsharvest.com. One of the best investments you could make would be to acquire a bugout bag, or two, which will support you for several days.