Set your clocks and check your stocks

It’s almost daylight-saving time again – beginning 2 a.m. March 14.

Setting the clocks and checking batteries in the smoke detectors are two things we tend to do on this date. What about your emergency preparedness stockpile?

Are the batteries in your flashlight in need of a change? Are your canned peaches looking a bit dented? Did you tap into the bottled water supply in between shopping trips?

Now is the perfect time to replenish your emergency stockpile.

Maybe you don’t have a stockpile at home; now is also a good time to get one together. Emergencies – like a tornado, a storm or flood – can happen with little warning. You may be without electricity, refrigeration, and clean drinking water for days, which is why having a stockpile is a good idea.

Here is a short list of items that are important to have on hand in case of emergency. Pack these items in a clearly labeled easy-to-carry, sealable container:
• Flashlight;
• Battery-powered or hand-cranked radio;
• Extra cash, keys and batteries;
• Three days’ worth of drinking water – one gallon per person per day;
• Three days’ worth of non-perishable food for everyone in the house … and don’t forget the pets;
• Manual can opener;
• Plastic utensils, paper plates and cups;
• First aid kit;
• Individualized personal items i.e., hearing aid batteries, contact lens cases and solution, extra diapers and formula;
• Extra clothing and blankets;

• Important documents should be kept in a waterproof portable container: passports, insurance policies, credit card and bank account records, prescription information, immunization records, veterinary records – including pictures of your pets.

Of course, an emergency preparedness stockpile may contain more than this. For ideas on creating an emergency preparedness stockpile suited for you and your family, visit www.getreadyforflu. org/clocksstocks.