by David Smith

Created on: February 05, 2010

The sirens wail, the hair on your neck stands up, and you realize you weren't prepared.  This is not the way you want to approach a natural disaster.  The question then is how do I properly stock a storm shelter.  In my honest opinion, there is no one perfect way to stock your shelter.  It will obviously be personalized to some degree allowing you and your family some level of comfortability during a crisis. 

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) website Ready.gov has a suggested list of items that would prove useful to all needing to stock a storm shelter.

- Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
- Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
- Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- First aid kit
- Whistle to signal for help
- Dust mask, to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
- Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
- Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
- Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food)
- Local maps
- Cell phone with chargers
- Prescription medications and pain relievers (acetaminophen, aspirin)
- Important family documents and some money
- Complete change of clothing including a long sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes. Consider additional clothing if you live in a cold-weather climate
- Fire extinguisher

To me this is just a starting point.  One must obviously consider the specific members of the group when compiling any additional items.  For groups with children, any stuffed animals or other "safe" items would be a must.  I would think that books, magazines, or comics would be good to distract from the crisis at hand. 

A couple other items that you don't hear discussed much are an axe and a shovel for possible self-rescue from your own shelter.  One last possibility would be a couple empty 5 gallon buckets with lids for restroom needs. 

I would definitely recommend visiting the Ready.gov website for much more detailed information that can be tailored to the needs of all Americans and those readers worldwide will find useful information as well. 

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