Arkansas has a great nickname. It’s officially called The Natural State, thanks to our wealth of forests, lakes, rivers, and hot springs.
Unfortunately, all too often it’s actually The Natural Disaster State. We’re in the heart of tornado country, and we also get our fair share -- and then some -- of severe storms, flooding, and ice storms. We were even the epicenter of the massive New Madrid series of earthquakes. Ok, these were over a century ago, but they remain the most powerful recorded earthquakes in mainland USA east of the Rocky Mountains.
Our point is: Be prepared! Like any boy scout, prepare yourself for the possibility that you’ll be without power and services for several days or more due to an ugly weather event or some other emergency. Fortune favors the prepared, and we all know how maxed-out first responders are during natural disasters.
When you’re preparing your preparedness kit, remember us at Spartan Intimidator of S.E. Arkansas. We have both portable and standby generators for sale, and we’re happy to talk with you about how to put together a good kit for you and your family. Find us in Monticello, Arkansas, where we also serve Wilmar and Warren.
What To Put in an Emergency Kit
Here’s a basic list of things to put in your emergency kit. Think carefully about where to store it. Try to place it where pests won’t eat your stash, and where you’ll still be able to get to it if a tornado or storm has caused serious damage.
- A copy of your emergency plan and important contact information
- First-aid kit
- Drinking water (Two quarts per person per day. A family of four should have 14 gallons of water to last a week.)
- Washing water
- Water purification treatment such as bleach
- Non-perishable food (canned, dried, freeze-dried, energy bars, etc.)
- Manual can opener
- Camping stove and fuel
- A basic kitchen kit (pots, utensils, etc.)
- Matches and/or fire starter
- Fire extinguisher
- Flashlight: battery-powered or crank rechargeable
- Radio: battery-powered or crank rechargeable
- Extra batteries
- Extra set of keys to your house and vehicle
- Extra cash, including smaller bills and change for payphones
- Backup prescription glasses
- A spare set of clothes and outerwear, including shoes, for each family member
- Pet supplies: Food, water, and applicable medication
- Other necessary items such as prescription medications, infant formula, and accessibility equipment for users with limited mobility
This is just a starting point. Other useful items might be a tool kit, jumper cables, garbage bags, toiletry items, duct tape, hand sanitizer, sleeping bags, etc.
Bug Out Bags
A Bug Out Bag (or BOB) is a daypack that’s got emergency supplies and clothing. Set up a daypack for each family member with a set of clothing and critical supplies, and make sure everyone knows that they need to grab their personal BOB when disaster strikes.
We urge all of our neighbors and customers to be prepared. Instead of being part of the problem, being prepared allows you to be part of the solution, and help yourself as well as your community. Come see us for your essentials at Spartan Intimidator of S.E. Arkansas in Monticello, Arkansas, near Wilmar and Warren.
