Well thank you, Hurricane Irene…  Nothing like a hurricane to make two Miami natives turn from procrastinators to doers!  JavaDad is a Hurricane Andrew survivor and though I had already left my hometown, the anguish of being hundreds of miles away while my family went days without power makes me know that when Hurricane Irene is headed to Northern Virginia, it’s time to prepare.

I’ve written a piece on The DC Moms, where I am the News and Politics Editor, about other things to do to get ready, but here is my time-honed comprehensive list of what you should think about in putting together your emergency kit.  With this area’s bizarre weather (remember “Thundersnow?”  “Snowpocalypse?”), it never hurts to have an emergency kit on hand at all times.  If you are a camper, you probably already have many of these supplies on hand.  Put these items in one place where you can quickly put your hands on them in the dark should the power go out:

• Flashlights/lanterns.  Do not use propane lanterns indoors.
• A radio.  Particularly an all-weather radio that allows you to hear any alerts.
• Batteries for the above, and you may want to consider having a hand-crank version of at least one flashlight and radio.
• Non-perishable food.  Several days worth as power could be out for a while.
• Can opener.  Be sure it is non-electric.   
• Water.  The rule of thumb is a gallon per person per day, at least three days worth — remember you need this for drinking, food prep, and sanitation (flushing toilets, cleaning up, etc.)
• Pet supplies for several days.  Food, litter, leashes, carriers, etc.  Remember to include them in your water count.  Also, consider what you would do if you had to go to a shelter and it didn’t accept pets.  What is your plan?
• Cash.  Often power goes out and we quickly become a cash economy once cash registers and ATM machines go down.
• A hard-corded phone.  If you still use traditional phone service, even when the power is out, it will typically work, so have an old-fashioned corded phone on hand rather than a battery-operated cordless phone.
• Comfort items for the kids.  It’s easy to forget that little ones are going to need familiar things. Make sure you have anything you may need for them – blankets, bottles, formula, pacifiers, lovies, stuffed animals, non-electronic games or books, etc.  Especially if you may have to beat a hasty retreat out of the house.  Get things gathered in one place.
• Medications.  If possible, have an extra stash, or at least before a pending emergency like this one, gather it in one place so it is easy to find if you have to leave the house.
• Sanitary items.  Diapers, feminine need products and the like.
• Garbage bags and paper towels. 
• Bleach and medicine dropper.  Plain bleach (not scented, color safe, or with additional cleaners), used for cleaning as well as treating for water.  Formulas per FEMA:
  • Disinfectant: Nine parts water to one part bleach.
  • Drinking water: 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water.   (Let stand 30 minutes.)  There are additional instructions here and here.  I’ve never had to purify water using bleach.
• First aid kit. 
• Fire extinguisher.
• Duct tape.  Duct tape is just a miracle worker for just about everything from temporarily fixing a broken pipe to uses in first aid to holding together broken pieces of wood.
• Wet wipes.  Every mom knows these are part of daily life — more so when life goes awry.
• Whistle.  In case you need help and need to attract attention to yourself.
• Simple tool kit including pliers and wrench.  In case you need to shut off utilities such as water or gas.
• Local maps.  We all depend on our phones and GPS — but if we are instructed to evacuate or go to a shelter and our electronic devices fail us, sometimes it’s back to the paper maps!
• Lighter or waterproof matches in a waterproof container.
• Firewood and firestarter (more for winter).
• Blankets.
• Set of dry clothes and dry shoes for everyone, in bags.
• Important household documents, sealed in a watertight container.  FEMA has an online kit  with guidance.
• A plan for cooking.  If power is out for several days, peanut butter sandwiches may become tiresome.  How will you cook those cans of soup?  Do you have a gas stove?  (Keep in mind, most gas stoves have an electric starter, be sure to have a lighter on hand and only use if you are CERTAIN there is not a gas leak.)  You can heat up food on a grill or camping stove OUTDOORS, but make sure you have the necessary fuel (propane or charcoal) and a plan for cleaning up the pots and pans (i.e. camping style dunk and clean wash station!)  For this reason, I also lay in a good supply of paper plates, cups, napkins and plastic utensils.
• Non-electronic entertainment for the whole family.  This may sound so simple, but some families have forgotten how to entertain themselves without the Nintendos, smart phones and Wiis!  Know where some good books, card games, board games and other simple ways to entertain youselves together and separately are.  Especially if you may have to go to another location.
• Any comfort items you may need for yourself.  For me, that includes a stash of Diet Coke.  For some, this may include having a little bit of wine on hand — though I advocate keeping your wits about you, a glass of wine may not be a bad idea after hours and hours of no electricity.

Don’t forget to check the link on The DC Moms for additional hurricane prepping tips.  And let me know if you have additional items in your emergency kit!  Stay safe, and check in here and on the Caffeine and a Prayer page to let me know how you fare!

Photo credit: Microsoft Image Gallery

I promise, Caffeine and a Prayer has not turned into a self-reflection blog.  However, please indulge me in sharing a challenge from my friend Elena’s blog, C.Mom, where she invites us to take a few moments to list what we like about ourselves.  You don’t have to have a blog to make this list, but if you do, you can enter to win a lovely necklace — see her site for the details.

I just love the idea of stopping that ever-present internal critic and letting the inner cheerleader have a say for a change.  Maybe it is easy for you.  For me, it’s hard.  I’m terrific at uplifting others and yet when I try to do it for myself, for every positive I can usually find a criticism or two or three.  So let’s all practice muzzling that critic, shall we?  In addition to linking at Elena’s site, I’d love if you’d link your list here so I can see all the wonderful things you have to say about yourself! 

Here I go… Ten Things I Like About Myself

1. I like that I’m a damn good mother.  Do not confuse this with perfect, or one who never yells, or never makes a mistake.  But my kids know I love them fiercely and they love me right back.  There isn’t a parent alive who loves their children more than I love mine.
2. I like that I can admit that I make mistakes and apologize when I do.  It took me a while to learn how to do that and the importance of doing so.  Knowing how hard it is to do, I highly respect those who can do the same.
3. I like my smile.  It puts people at ease.
4. I like that I’m fiercely loyal.  And I appreciate those who return the favor.
5. I like that I can make people laugh and I’m unafraid of laughing at myself.  Thanks Mom, for teaching me that!
6. I like that I am able to stand up to bullies.  It has served me well in life.  I hope I can teach my kids to do the same.
7. I like that I don’t cave to peer pressure.  See number six.
8. I like my inner drive and ability to conquer fear.  I almost said I was fearless, but that’s not true.  I have fears, but I’ve always been able to smash them. 
9. I like my sassy red manicure and pedicure.  Hey, why not throw in a little something superficial?  But I do.  I have found the absolutely perfect shade of color that always elicits compliments, and my manicure withstands the brutuality of my constant typing.  My pedicure makes me happy — I never have to be ashamed to be barefoot in public no matter the season.  And there’s something about a woman with red fingernails that says to the world, “Watch out, I’m just a little bit more than you are prepared to handle.”
10. I like my circle of friends.  I am constantly surprised by the people I am surrounded by.  I usually suspect they chose me more than I chose them because I’m actually quite shy, and I always feel honored by their acceptance.

Elena asks us to reflect on how it makes us feel to list out what we like.  It’s painful!  Yes, it also feels good, but I find myself wanting to cut the list down, rewrite, and minimize.  But I won’t.  I will let it stand on its own and I suggest you let your list stand as you write it.  Own it.  Remind yourself from time to time about it.  And if you must let one negative thought creep in, figure out how to turn it into something you would like to like about yourself… then work toward adding that to your list in the future!

Go on now, make your list… go to Elena’s site to enter the contest, but don’t forget to also link here so I may see just how fabulous you are!