Just a few tips for those not used to losing power.
If you use a portable generator, make sure the generator is placed far away, so fumes are not breathed, many people have died because they place a generator outside the window or door, garage etc.
Clean water is #1 priority, sometimes water from tap may become contaminated, or stop flowing. if could use a small hand filter like hikers use, and/or Iodine tablets. boiling as last resort, remember, boiling kills bacteria, but wont get rid of toxic chemicals in water.
In warmer areas, make sure you have repellent, no power means your windows will be open, after the rains mosquito will drive you nuts.
In cold areas, have the blankets ready.
Food, some cheap survival food, Lipton dinners, cost like a dollar or so, and are easily prepared, with boiled water. they are also lightweight, unlike cans. Macaroni and cheese, same story. when I used to hike, I could carry 14 days of food in my backpack. also instant oatmeal and rice.
have a first aid kit around, add a few of these items if missing from that kit. tweezers, splints, heavy bandages, extra iodine or similar antiseptic. at the surplus army navy stores you can get some nice items for your 1st aid kit.
If your toughing it out, have a prepared bug out bag, cloths etc. in case you have to leave fast, something you can grab in a second, and wont be without anything in the street.
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I have made 72 hour emergency kits for my sisters in California. and I always used to keep a 72 hour emergency kit in my car. that had DATREX bars ( emergency food ) water pouches, and things like this:
* rain poncho * emergency blanket * extra set of comfortable cloths, and shoes * toilet paper, matches in zip lock bag * LED flashlight * Pocket knife with can opener, spoon * map of area * Chemical light * really good 1st aid kit * hand crank radio * baseball cap, sunscreen, chap stick * rope * Pen and paper * magnesium fire starter * even surgical masks * whistle compass.
All these items were in a backpack, and kept in the trunk. in case of an Earthquake, or other disaster you could bug out. In my kit I even had a gas mask with couple of canisters, i got cheap for like 10 bucks. a cheapo surplus Chernobyl dosage meter, Iodine tablets for Nuclear accidents. a Major earthquake can cause a nuclear accident ( Like Japan ).
not that I am a prepper or anything, but its just peace of mind that for 50-100 bucks you can be prepared. If your at work, and there is a major quake, you are not driving home, you are walking, if your commute is 20 miles, it could take you over a day to get home on foot, specially if you have to avoid some areas.
Any "help" from government agencies usually takes 2-3 days to arrive. so at minimum you have to have at least 72 hours of supplies. and in a general large scale disaster, ( earthquake, Hurricane ) help could take even longer.
I highly recommend people keep a small emergency kit in their trunk and/or homes. there are some nasty faultlines, like New Madrid, even in New York. the east coast and west coasts are susceptible to tsunamis, with only a few hours warning at most, you will probably not be able to evacuate in time. Mid west are the tornadoes, so every area has baddies.
the kits are maintained by replacing the datrex, water pouches every 5 years, batteries in flashlight every year or two. if the hand crank radio has a built in flashlight you may not have to worry about batteries.