Sep 4, 2008 4:00 pm US/Eastern
3 On Your Side: Emergency Preparedness Kits
PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ―
Last weekend, Hurricane Gustav hit the Gulf, and now tropical storm Hanna is expected to work her way up the East Coast.
While no one wants to think about it, disasters can strike at any time. That's why it's really important to be prepared for the worst. 3-On Your Side's Jim Donovan shows you what you should have standing by in case of an emergency.
According to Christina Peterson, a product analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute, every home should expect the unexpected.
She says, "Every home should have an emergency supply kit, stored inside of a water-resistant container. You should have three gallons of water for each family member, canned foods like ready-made soups, tuna fish, and also have a manual can opener. Have a flashlight with extra batteries and a battery operated radio, or, better yet, a hand-cranked one. If the power goes out, just crank the handle to recharge the batteries. And a fully stocked first-aid kit. Store everything inside the bin and place it inside a closet."
You may also want to pack a backpack for each family member in case you need to evacuate.
Stuff it with a blanket, a thin raincoat, several layers of clothing, sturdy shoes, a large bottle of water and energy snacks for at least a day.
Peterson says, "When you do your spring cleaning, remember to remove or replace any expired items or clothing that doesn't fit."
It's also a good idea to check your emergency kit once a year to make sure you don't need to replace expired food, water or batteries.
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