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If someone in your home got sick or injured today, or if there was a natural disaster (knock on wood), would you have everything you need to care for yourself and the other members of your household? If you haven’t peeked in your medicine chest in recent memory, or simply haven’t gotten around to putting your emergency supplies together, here’s what to include in your kits, where to store them and how to maintain them properly. It’s sort of like having your teeth cleaned — you will feel good when it’s done.
1. First-aid kit. Too much stuff can be confusing to sort through in an emergency. Keep your supplies streamlined and well organized, and take the time to get familiar with each item in your kit before you need them.
Taking a first aid and CPR course from your local Red Cross is smart, particularly for those with kids or elders in the house.
Where to store it: Keep your first-aid supplies in a centrally located place (such as the kitchen or mudroom) for easy access in an emergency, and make sure every member of the household knows where it is.
If you have young children in the home, store it up high. For homes with both young and older kids, show the older children how to use a stepladder to retrieve the kit if needed, stressing that it is for emergencies only, and is not a toy.
What to include: In addition to any personal medications (inhaler for asthma, etc.), consider adding the following items to your kit. Bandages in assorted sizesAbsorbent compressesSterile gauze padsAntiseptic wipesCloth tapeAntibiotic ointmentSpace blanketNon-latex gloves (in case of allergy)ScissorsTweezersThermometerInstant cold compressRoller bandageHydrocortisone ointmentFirst aid bookletSee the Red Cross for a complete list.
2. Medical kit. Being prepared for common illnesses, aches and pains can save a lot of hassle and midnight drugstore runs. Check expiration dates on your prescription medications, and return leftovers to the pharmacy (call ahead: most will accept them). Medications flushed down the toilet can enter our water supply; be on the safe side and take the time to dispose of them properly.
Where to store: Humidity and heat can damage ingredients in most medications, so do not store them in the medicine cabinet, which tends to be humid. Try a hall closet or high kitchen cupboard (away from the stove) instead. If you have medications that must be refrigerated, and you have kids at home, store them in a locked box in the fridge to prevent accidental ingestion.
Because both over-the-counter and prescription medications can be dangerous when not taken as intended, it is best to keep them high and hidden, whether or not you have kids in the house. Safely dispose of unused, unneeded and expired medications.
What to include: Consider keeping the following items in your medical kit.
Antibiotic ointmentBand-AidsTweezersFever reducers and pain relieversAspirinThermometerRubbing alcoholHydrogen peroxideAntacidsAntihistaminesAnti-itch lotionLaxativesAnti-diarrhea medicationCold, cough and flu medicationsYou may wish to consider adding some natural remedies that serve the same purpose as one or more of the items above. Consult your health care practitioner for more ideas.
Antibiotic ointmentBand-AidsTweezersFever reducers and pain relieversAspirinThermometerRubbing alcoholHydrogen peroxideAntacidsAntihistaminesAnti-itch lotionLaxativesAnti-diarrhea medicationCold, cough and flu medicationsYou may wish to consider adding some natural remedies that serve the same purpose as one or more of the items above. Consult your health care practitioner for more ideas.
3. Emergency preparedness kit. If you’ve been putting off creating an emergency kit, make a point of doing so soon. Be prepared!
Where to store: Don’t hide your kit so deep in the basement or garage that you can’t find it when you need it. In the garage near the back door, in a coat closet near the front door or in the pantry are all good choices.
Storing your supplies in a brightly colored backpack is a smart choice, as it can easily be found and toted along if you ever needed to evacuate your home.
How to be prepared for an emergency evacuation
What to include: The quickest and easiest way to ensure you have a well-stocked emergency kit is to order one from the Red Cross store. If you want to create your own, consult the list on the kit they offer, and gather the items yourself.
Supplement your basic kit with personal items you would want in an emergency: medications, favorite shelf-stable foods, a change of clothes for each person in the house, pet food, plus something to read, play or do. Finally, tuck in a list of emergency numbers and a solar charger for your cellphone.
4. Supplemental kits for pets, car and more. Depending on your lifestyle (city dwellers may not need a car kit) and household (pets or not) you may want to put together a few smaller kits tailored to your needs. Homes with kids may want to keep a spare first-aid kit in the backyard or favorite play space where injuries are likely to occur, while very large homes may require several first-aid kits.
Maintaining your kits: Try to tie in maintaining your medical and emergency kits with another chore you do every six months or so, such as steam-cleaning your carpet or inspecting your gutters. Check for and dispose of expired items, and replace as necessary. Then give yourself a big pat on the back and revel in the feeling of being prepared.
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15. Give your garage or shed a clean-out. Since you’ll likely be spending more time in your outdoor spaces during the summer, it’s a good idea to take some time at the start of the season to clear out space in your storage area. Take old paint cans to a hazardous waste drop-off point, sell or give away items you no longer want and organize what’s left into zones of use: garden tools and supplies, outdoor adventures and sports gear, and household tools.
16. Get seasonal gear ready. What with camping and beach trips, summertime activities come with a lot of gear. Get it cleaned up and ready now, so you’re not surprised by a leaky tent or blown-out beach umbrella when it’s too late to replace them. And if you plan to waterproof anything (tents or outdoor tablecloths, for example), now is the time.
How to Store Your Outdoor Gear for Summer and All Year
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7. Clean walls and touch up paint. Use a dusting attachment on your vacuum or an electrostatic duster to remove dust from walls, paying special attention to corners and baseboards. For a deeper clean, wipe down walls with warm, soapy water after dusting. Rinse with clean water, using a lint-free cloth. Touch up paint as needed on interior walls and trim.
8. Clean items on open shelves. Infrequently used items stored on open shelves can get pretty grimy over time. For items with a thin layer of dust, swipe with an electrostatic duster. If there is a thicker layer of dust, of if the items are in the kitchen (where cooking grease can be an issue), wash each piece in a tub of warm, soapy water. Rinse and allow everything to dry before replacing.
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Tackle These To-Dos Over a Weekend
Wash windows. Clean the grime off glass inside and out for a lighter, brighter home indoors and increased curb appeal outdoors. Wash the exterior windows yourself by using a hose attachment, or hire a pro to get the job done.
Clean gutters and downspouts. After the last frost has passed, it’s important to have your gutters and downspouts cleaned and repaired. “Clogged gutters and downspouts can cause the wood trim at the eaves to rot, and that can invite all kinds of critters into your attic space,” Sedinger says.
Having your gutters and downspouts cleaned early in the season can also help prevent damage from spring rains. “Gutters and downspouts should be clean and running free,” Sedinger says. “If your downspouts are installed properly, water is diverted away from the house so that no water collects around your foundation.”
How to Clean Your Gutters and Downspouts
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9. Wash windows. Welcome the spring sunshine by clearing dirt and grime from windows inside and out. After cleaning the glass, take an extra moment to wipe the window frame and sill.
10. Clean and inspect screen doors and windows. Pollen and grime can also build up on window screens, so it’s a good idea to clean them once a year. For a quick cleaning, leave screens in place and vacuum with a dusting attachment. For a deeper cleaning, remove screens (mark which is which if cleaning multiple windows) and gently scrub with warm, soapy water. Rinse and let dry.
Before putting up window screens and screen doors, inspect each one for holes and rips — even small tears can let in mosquitoes. If you find any holes, repair them with a screen patch kit (available at most hardware stores).
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14. Plant a tree. Spring and fall are the best times to plant trees because wet weather and cooler temperatures make it easier for root systems to get established. Be sure to check with a nursery to determine which species will do best in your microclimate and to get detailed planting instructions. If your area has a late date of last frost, you may need to wait until all threat has passed before planting.
15. Inspect your home’s exterior for winter damage and make repairs as needed. Once winter storms have passed, carefully inspect the exterior of your home. If you had an ice dam on your roof during the winter, now is the time to repair any damage it caused. Ice dams form when the edges of a home’s roof are colder than the upper regions (where more insulation sits below the roof), causing ice to form around the eaves. The best way to prevent them is by upgrading insulation and ventilation in the attic.
Share: What’s on your home to-do list this March? Tell us in the Comments.
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Things to Check Off Your List in an Hour or Less
1. Rotate your mattress. Before you put on a fresh set of sheets, take an extra minute to rotate the mattress if you haven’t done so recently. Rotating your mattress every few months will help it wear more evenly and extend its life (and comfort).
2. Pack up a bag of old sheets and towels to donate. If you bought new sheets or towels during January white sales, make some room by letting go of an old set or two. Homeless shelters and some churches will accept donations of bedding and towels in good condition, and animal shelters are often in need of towels. Really worn linens can be cut up and used as rags or dropped in a textile recycling bin.
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Keep paths cleared of snow and ice. Regular shoveling (or snow blowing) is the best way to keep walkways, driveways and sidewalks safe and ice-free all winter. Keep some pet- and plant-safe ice melt or sand on hand to provide traction on stairs and other slippery areas, and flag the edges of your driveway and sidewalk so you know where to stop shoveling when the snow gets deep.
If you plan to be away during the season (and your area gets snow), hire a service in advance to clear the snow while you are away. Some cities give tickets if you allow the sidewalk in front of your home to become impassable, because this creates unsafe conditions for pedestrians.
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Getting Ready
Accept your strengths and weaknesses as a host. No one can do it all. The key to a low-stress event is to play up your strengths and outsource your not-so-favorite parts of entertaining. For instance, finish a homemade meal with a lovely dessert from a local bakery or throw a potluck buffet or cocktail party instead of having a formal sit-down meal.
Keep things real. Your guests are there to enjoy your company, not judge your home or your cooking. If you’re not “done” getting things ready before your guests arrive, ask for help. Most guests are more than happy to pitch in lighting candles, setting the table, stirring a pot or pouring wine. And before reading the checklist that follows, remember that you can always rent party gear rather than buy rarely used items.
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Check safety devices. Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors should be tested at least once a month and replaced every 10 years, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. Test smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors by pressing the test button; replace batteries as needed. Also, take a moment to check the expiration date on any fire extinguishers in the house and replace them if needed.
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