Individual First Aids Kits Essential for Hurricane Matthew

(Newswire.net — October 7, 2016) Woodbridge, Virginia — October 7, 2016) Woodbridge, Virginia –– As Hurrican Matthew looms along the East Coast of Florida, thousands are preparing for serious damage as the storm moves towards Jacksonville. Winds are reaching speeds up to 120miles an hour, but luckily the storm has veered east, avoiding a direct hit with populated areas. The storm is destructive, but the effects of Hurricane Matthew are not as severe are originally feared, however, being prepared for this monster is still essential.

What the Red Cross recommends

While most people are busy shuttering their homes to brace for the coming of Hurricane Matthew, we can easily forget to make other necessary precautions. The Red Cross recommends people to have enough supplies to last at least 72 hours. This should include items like a first aid kit, bottled water, non-perishable food, blankets or sleeping bags, seven to fourteen days’ worth of medication, important documents, a battery-powered radio, flashlights, extra batteries, chargers, a change of clothes and personal eyeglasses or contact lenses. If you are in a shelter you will have a lot of idle time on your hands so entertainment and comfort are also important to keep up morale. Items like a book, a board game, a deck of cards and even some music can go a long way and solar chargers are a game changer. 

Be prepared for all eventualities 

• Cash is king. Poweroutages can occur and ATMs won’t be accessible so have enough cash and change on hand.
• Stores may be low on stock or closed, so don’t wait until the last minute to get supplies, take action now.
• At home, make sure to secure any loose objects outside like trash cans. 
• Put the fridge and freezer on cold settings in case the power goes out. You will need to keep your feed cold for as long as possible.
• Do not use your generator inside your house, they produce carbon monoxide which can be fatal.
• Put all supplies in a big tub or a backpack so if you have to evacuate you can do so quickly.
• Should you need to evacuate, leave a note at your home stating your destination along with you emergency contact information.