Act now to prepare for power outages and emergencies — make your plan and gather essential supplies to keep your family safe.  

Be sure to communicate and practice your evacuation plan with family members, including the location of emergency supplies, contacts and important documents.

Important emergency preparedness kit items include a battery-operated radio, working batteries, flashlights, a first aid kit, extra blankets, change of clothes, water bottles, nonperishable food, external battery packs and portable chargers. 

• First aid kit: Include prescription medications — check the expiration dates.
• Medical information: Include copies of your insurance cards and medical information.
• Sanitation items: Pack items like hand sanitizer and moist towelettes.
• Bottled water: Experts recommend a gallon per person per day.
• Flashlights and fresh batteries: Have extra batteries for all battery-powered equipment. Store them where you can easily find them.
• Nonperishable food: Choose items that don’t require cooking or heating.
• Manual can opener: Select safe cut can openers without sharp, jagged edges.
• Coolers, ice chests and ice packs: Have a few in case of a lengthy outage.  
• Special needs items: These include items for infants, older adults or people with disabilities.
• Battery-operated radio or hand-crank radio: Radios will allow access to news reports.
• External rechargeable battery pack: Use a battery to charge cellphones and other electronic devices.
• Phone numbers: Keep important phone numbers nearby (e.g., hospital, doctor, relatives).

• For young children, include entertainment items along with essential care supplies.
• For pets, include food, a collar with a tag, a leash and a carrier or crate. 

• Regularly check and update emergency supplies and food stocks.