Emergency Preparedness Supplies

AUSTIN - When there's a hurricane or tropical storm in the Gulf, it's a good idea to check your emergency supply kit and review your family plans for emergencies. Monitor broadcasts and listen to instructions from local officials. Having emergency supplies in easy-to-carry containers will serve you well, no matter what kind of natural or manmade emergency you may face. Use this checklist:

First-aid kit
Extra prescription medications, written copies of prescriptions, other special medical items
Important documents and records, photo IDs, proof of residence, information you may need to process insurance claims
Cash (power outages mean banks and ATMs may be unavailable)
Battery-operated radio and NOAA Weather Radio
Flashlight with extra batteries
Phone numbers of family and friends
Road maps, a travel plan, hotel reservations, list of places between your town and your destination you can stop if the highways are clogged
3-day supply of non-perishable food, one gallon of bottled water per person per day
Coolers for food and ice storage, paper plates, plastic utensils
Manual can opener, knife, tools, booster cables, fire extinguisher, duct tape, tarp, rope
Blankets, pillows, sleeping bags and extra clothing
Toilet paper, cleanup supplies, personal hygiene products
Eyeglasses, sunglasses, hearing aids
Special supplies needed for babies, older adults and pets
Extra keys

Other disaster preparedness information can be found at www.Ready.gov and www.redcross.org.