A Typhoon's Coming? This Is Your Emergency Kit Checklist!

Given the number of typhoons that pass or enter our country every year, it's important to always be prepared. Ideally, you need to have a disaster/storm kit ready in your home. If you haven’t prepped one, there’s still time, as most of these items are probably readily available at home, or you can easily purchase them at a supermarket or hardware store.

Have these items prepared and ready in your storm kit, according to the Philippine Red Cross:

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Food and water

• Stock only non-perishable food in easy-to-open (fliptop) cans, dried fruit, crackers, biscuits, etc. Check on your stash occasionally to see if it’s not expired. 

• For water, stock 1 gallon (3.78 liters) per person per day.

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Emergency tools and gear

• A list of emergency numbers to call (fire station, police, hospital, barangay hall, etc.)
• Maps with evacuation sites and routes
• Whistle with a neck cord, one for each family member
• Flashlights with extra batteries
• Multi-purpose or Swiss knife
• Matches or lighter and candles
• Transistor radio, battery-operated or cranking
• Glow sticks
• Large garbage bags (these are to protect items from rain, or use as a rain coat)
• Insulated or flannel blankets
• Ropes (not nylon)
• Sleeping bags
• Mobile phone and other gadget batteries, fully charged and protected in waterproof case

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Personal effects, hygiene kits, and first aid kit

• First and foremost, a complete first aid kit; add to this any medications used by the family

• Undergarments and extra clothing

• Hygiene kit with toothbrushes, toothpaste, hand towels, combs, alcohol or hand sanitizer, sanitary napkins

Important documents and money

• Keep cash, in case banks or ATMs are closed

• Important legal documents such as birth and marriage certificates, lot titles, and medical documents should be protected in a plastic envelope. Ideally, these should be prepared or filed together beforehand in one location, so you can grab it when you evacuate.

READ: Everything You Need to Know About Organizing Important Documents

Now where should you store your emergency storm kit?

Place all these items in an easy-to-grab backpack or duffle bag. If you can find a bag that’s waterproof, that would be better.

You should keep your storm kit in a place that’s cool and dry—perhaps stashed on a visible shelf, on top of a desk or worktable, or in an accessible cabinet. Every member of the family should easily see it. Inform everyone in the household of its location, even when there is no impending storm.

Stay dry and safe! For more information, visit the Red Cross website at www.redcross.org.ph, or call their hotline 143 or their trunkline (02)790-2300