It’s springtime, and southeast Michigan has already seen bouts of severe weather, including tornadoes, tornado warnings, and straight-line winds.
If you haven’t prepared your household for a weather emergency, now is a good time to start.
“This time of year is really the time of year to put those items aside,” said meteorologist Kim Adams, who says the first thing on your list should be bottled water.
The National Weather Service says a basic emergency kit should include the following items:
- Backpack or storage tub to hold your supplies
- Bottled water
- Non-perishable food and a can opener
- Flashlight with extra batteries
- First Aid Supplies
- Tissues
- Toilet paper and bags with ties
- Paper and pen or pencil
- Sleeping bag or warm blanket
- Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
- Personal hygiene items
- A whistle
- Important documents
- Battery-powered NOAA Weather Radio
- Formula and diapers (if there is an infant in your home)
- Extra pet food
- Dust mask or cotton t-shirt
- Duct tape
- Cups and utensils
- A change of clothes
- Rain gear
- Cash
- Fire extinguisher
- Paper towels
- Cards or games
The National Weather Service recommends keeping the emergency kit within reach of your shelter.
Experts also say you should identify which items are most important to your household, and keep track of when items expire.
Adams also says conversations about weather preparedness should also include a discussion about what to do if severe weather strikes while you’re outdoors.
She suggests reminding kids that the safest place to be is indoors, and even if thunder sounds far away, it means lightning has struck nearby.