Every Home Should Have a Disaster Kit

The rain is pouring heavily again as I type. I've been feeling helpless the whole day, watching the news and seeing how many people out there are homeless, waiting to be rescued on their rooftops, stranded on the streets inside their vehicles or worse, dealing with the death of loved ones as a result of this horrible weather. I can't believe that at the rate things are happening, we don't even have a typhoon in effect. Like many others, I can only watch comfortably from where I am and pray for everyone who needs it. Fortunately, although we live in a flood-prone city, our house sits on a high area and we've never had any flooding problem ever. 

What is happening now makes us all think of the worst that could happen, given how the climate has drastically changed in the past year or so. We're seeing the effects of global warming, ladies and gentlemen. I can only pray that our government is preparing for similar situations in the future. 

I don't want to be the voice of doom, but it always helps to be ready for anything. Speaking of being ready ... we need to start at home. The first thing every home needs to have for emergencies is a Disaster Kit. Who doesn't have one yet? Here's a list of items compiled from several online sites. I've narrowed down the list to what I think are "must haves" :

Flashlight with extra batteries

Whistle

Compass

A battery-powered radio/transistor

Extra cellphone

Lighters and Matches

Candles

Ropes

Thin blankets

A few canned goods

Crackers/biscuits 

Bottles of water

Basic medicines

You can also add : duplicate keys to the house and your car, mobile phone chargers, other medical supplies. 

Personal items like toothbrushes, toothpaste, a bar of soap, under garments, hand towels, alcohol, hand sanitizers, extra clothing, sanitary pads for women. 

If you live in a low-lying area, it would also be good to keep important documents such as passports, birth certificates and the like in ziploc containers to prevent them from getting wet. 

Keep the kit in a safe place in your home and make sure every household member knows where it is. Check on and replenish/replace consumable items from time to time. 

One more day of heavy rains, people. That's according to the weather report tonight. Let's all continue to pray for our country and our fellowmen.