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Planning Ahead for Weather Emergencies

Aug 22, 2011; 9:12 AM ET

What if there was a hurricane and you had to leave your home quickly? What if you were trapped in your house because of extreme weather and you lost electrical power? Would you be prepared?

Many people don't give much thought to such a situation. But when you're faced with an emergency, you may not have the time or the presence of mind to gather together your most important and necessary belongings. That's why it's crucial to plan in advance. The best way to do this is to put together an emergency preparedness kit. Hopefully, you'll never need it, but it will give you some peace of mind knowing it's there if you do.

Put together a kit

Plan ahead by packing a kit that includes everything you'll need in an emergency. Include the following:

Food and water

Cash

Personal hygiene supplies

Important documents

A radio and a flashlight (don't forget the batteries)

A first aid kit

Emergency phone numbers

A cell phone and charger

Baby and pet necessities

If you have a medical condition, remember to do the following:

By Diane Griffith, Staff Writer, myOptumHealth

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