How to Make a Hurricane Emergency Kit

June is the official start of the hurricane season. The experts seem to predict a half dozen named storms that never come to fruition, but it's never a good idea to be caught off guard. With a bit of careful planning, you should have everything you need for a hurricane emergency.

Instructions

1. Food and water. If you're lucky enough to be able to get to a store, you might just find everything has been sold out after a natural disaster. If you have everything ahead of time you won't need to worry as much. Make sure you have one gallon of water per person, per day. Prepare to have 3 to 7 days worth of water on hand. Have plenty of canned and non-perishable food, too and don't forget the can opener. Have snacks like nuts on hand; they'll fill your belly and give you something to munch on until the power comes back on. Have a grill ready to go with extra gas or charcoal. You won't want anything in your freezer to go to waste once the power is out. It might be an ugly time in your neighborhood but at least you can have a backyard feast to pass the time. Don't forget to include the strike anywhere matches.

2. Cash. When the power is out, cash is king. If you need anything from the stores there is a good chance that the power will be out so credit cards will be useless. Even if the shop has a generator, the phone lines might be down so credit or debit purchases will be unavailable. Have a variety of small and large bills.

3. Outdoor gear. In case you find yourself living outside, make sure you have blankets, pillows and protective clothing items. It could end up being scorching during the day and chilly at night so you'll want to be prepared. Have rain gear and hats to shield the sun to keep you protected from the elements.

4. Technology. Have cell phones charged, install fresh batteries in weather radios and flashlights, get a hand cranked flashlight if you can, that way you don't have to worry about running out of batteries. Having a back-stock of batteries of different sizes is a must as well.

5. Medical. Have a full first aid kit ready and have prescriptions refilled. Be sure to have functioning assistive devices for the disabled and plenty of baby food and infant items for the little ones.

6. Entertainment. There may be long hours of waiting after a hurricane. Have board games, decks of cards and sporting goods on hand to keep you occupied until things get back to normal.

7. Miscellaneous. Make sure pets are taken care of. Have leashes and kennels ready to go and have enough food and water for them. It might be a good idea to see the vet and have recovery microchips installed beneath their skin. If they get lost and subsequently recovered, this electronic ID tag will help reunite them with their families. Have your keys with you at all times.Fill the gas tanks in your vehicles ahead of time as gas pumps run on electricity.