Are You and Your Family Prepared to Shelter In Place (SIP)?

Whatever happens Out There, IS THERE A SAFE PLACE in your home for you to go?  My granddaughter and I have a safe place that's in a pantry with mostly dry goods.  Any jars are on low shelves or on the floor.  There is even a hook in the wall that holds a working flash light.  My granddaughter is only six years old, but she's known our safe place since she was three.  We would practice and have drills, then end up in the pantry with her in charge of the flash light.  One day she'll probably be too big for us to be in that pantry, but at least she knows where other safe places are in this house.

If and whenever we DO have to go to our shelter, when it comes time that those of us in the house can come out of our safe places, it's then time to see if venturing outside, beyond any possible standing doors and walls, is even a good idea.  If not, you're all staying Inside.  You will then Shelter In Place.  (SIP) Sheltering with family or whoever may be in the house with you, if there is no idea of how long you'll be out of services, transportation, outside communication, etc., even the best of friends will start to get on each others' nerves, especially if there's never been a Plan.  Would you like to survive while retaining some semblance of still having your marbles even if a few of them got lost in a disaster?  How about knowing that with preparation, you can make a difference on how well, or not, a disaster affects you and your family when needing to SIP.  Just taking the time to get started and then maintaining stock of what's needed is pretty simple.  JUST DO IT.

Here is a list to get started.  It does not have to be expensive; just secure.

• Bins with a good latching lid.  The better dollar stores have ones with good lids.  Start off with two - one for Food, the other for Other Stuff.
• Water.  As much as you can buy and put away.  Rule of thumb for people - one gallon of water per person per day for drinking and sanitation.   Water is needed for foods and drinks.  They are not to be put in the Bins.

• Bin 1, Food Items - 
• Foods that are canned, freeze dried, dehydrated. 
• Just-mix-with-hot-water foods. 
• Coffee, Instant or Freeze Dried.
• Instant/Powdered milk.
• A Pot to cook in. 
• Salt/pepper.
• Eating and cooking utensils.
• Plates/bowls.
• Drinking cups.

• Bin 2, Other Stuff, needs to have - 
• A can opener.
• Toilet tissue.
• Flashlight.
• First Aid Kit.
• Battery-powered radio and a NOAA Weather Radio.
• Extra batteries.
• Dust masks.
• Plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place.
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags, and ties for personal sanitation.
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities. 

NOTE:  Take into account if there are babies, to have on hand in a bin baby foods, diapers, wipes, ointments, formula, bottles. 

• If you have an indoor wood burning fireplace, you are blessed, assuming there is wood kept in the house and not just outside.  We are still talking about SIP.   You then have a heat source for hot water.  There are other methods for heating water, like sterno.  Just find a heat source to have on hand that does not require going outside.  

At a minimum, you should have the basic supplies listed below:

• Water: one gallon per person, per day (3-day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for home)
• Food: non-perishable, easy-to-prepare items (3-day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for home).
• Flashlight 
• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio, if possible) 
• Extra batteries
• First aid kit 
• Medications (7-day supply) and medical items
• Multi-purpose tool
• Sanitation and personal hygiene items
• Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies)
• Cell phone with chargers
• Family and emergency contact information
• Extra cash
• Emergency blanket 
• Map(s) of the area 

Consider the needs of all family members and add supplies to your kit. Suggested items to help meet additional needs are:

• Medical supplies (hearing aids with extra batteries, glasses, contact lenses, syringes, etc)
• Baby supplies (bottles, formula, baby food, diapers)
• Games and activities for children
• Pet supplies (collar, leash, ID, food, carrier, bowl)
• Two-way radios
• Extra set of car keys and house keys
• Manual can opener

Additional supplies to keep at home or in your survival kit based on the types of disasters common to your area:

• Whistle
• N95 or surgical masks
• Matches
• Rain gear
• Towels
• Work gloves
• Tools/supplies for securing your home
• Extra clothing, hat and sturdy shoes
• Plastic sheeting
• Duct tape
• Scissors
• Household liquid bleach, preferably Clorox brand
• Entertainment items
• Blankets or sleeping bags

After assembling your kit remember to maintain it so it’s ready when needed:

• Keep canned food in a cool, dry place
• Store boxed food in tightly closed plastic or metal containers
• Replace expired items as needed
• Re-think your needs every year and update your kit as your family’s needs change.

Keep this kit in a designated place and have it ready in case you have to leave your home quickly. Make sure all family members know where the kit is kept.