Yay! It’s swimsuit and barbecue season… but unfortunately, it’s also hurricane season. It seems as if hurricanes are affecting more and more people in recent years (Hurricane Irene, Sandy and Katrina to name a few), and since the official storm season runs until November 30th, it’s best to have emergency supplies ready to go. Ben Franklin famously said, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” so follow his sage advice and get yourself prepared for anything with these eight must-haves.
1. Battery-Powered Radio and Flashlight (+ batteries): It’s easy to remember to pack the radio and flashlight (or a fancy combo of the two), but harder to remember to pack enough batteries. (via Nola)
2. Water: Water is definitely the most important supply to stock up on. Used for both drinking and sanitation purposes, you should have one gallon of water per person per day (and for pets, if you have them — Fido needs to drink, too!). Stock up for at least three days, preferably for seven. (via Kohler Generators)
3. Food: You want to make sure you have at least three days worth of non-perishable food (again, keep Fido in mind). And make sure to throw in a manual can opener. Those black beans won’t do you any good if you can’t get at them! (via Modern Survival Online)
4. Cell Phones + Battery-Powered Cell Phone Chargers: Battery-powered and/or solar-powered cell phone chargers can be found relatively cheaply on sites like Amazon and eBay. There are also gadgets like hand crank emergency chargers you might want to add to your kit. (via CDC Blogs)
5. First Aid Kit: Whether you want to purchase one at a drugstore or put the kit together yourself, make sure it includes the basics like bandages in a few different sizes, scissors, gauze and anti-bacterial wipes. (via Sitata)
6. Personal Sanitation Items: In the event that sewer systems become unusable, you’ll want to have moist towelettes, garbage bags, paper towels, hand sanitizer and plastic ties on hand. (via Amazon Supply)
7. Cash and Records: Including some cash and copies of personal records like driver’s licenses, passports and bank information (all in a sealed, waterproof bag) will make life easier in case of an evacuation. (via USCIS)
8. Survival Kit: When trying to prepare for any situation, it can be hard to remember every little tool or gadget you’ll need, which is why it makes sense to include a survival kit in your plans. You’ll be able to build a fire, catch a fish or signal help with this bad boy. (via Silodrome)
Each family is different, so once you have the basics, be sure to personalize your emergency kit. For example, if there’s a baby in your family, make sure you include baby food or formula. If you have young children, throw in some board games or magazines to help keep them occupied until the power comes back on. If you live in an area that gets cold at night, add a few blankets — you get the picture.
Once you have all your supplies, store them together, preferably in a dry, airtight and waterproof container (like one of those big plastic bins everyone uses at moving time). If you live in an evacuation zone, you may also want to consider keeping a backpack or duffel bag in the kit in order to make things easier to carry.
Check out the National Hurricane Center or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for more information about how to prepare for hurricanes and other disasters. Stay safe!
Are we forgetting any essentials? Let us know what’s in your emergency kit in the comments below!
It can be intimidating to step out on your own and build a business from the ground up. As part of our collaboration with Office Depot, we're talking with Selfmade alum and solopreneur Colette Lawrence, the faith-based motivator and relationship builder behind The M.E.E. Movement, about ways in which women in business can find success.
B + C: How did you know M.E.E. Movement was your business to start?
The M.E.E Movement represents motivation, empowerment, and encouragement for women. It is what represents me. I did not know at first that it was my business to start, but then the thought of monetizing what I loved came to me. It scared me, however. I registered the business in July 2020 and have been slowly building my wings since.
B + C: What's one strategy that's helped you start your business?
Thinking through and researching what the requirements are to start my business, and then asking questions of people who are in the business. Not all advice worked; however, it helped me to figure out what I needed to do and not to do.
B + C: Did you always know life coaching would be your entrepreneurial path?
(Smiles) No, I did not. I 'stumbled" on it. I knew that people were always coming to me for advice and I found that I loved having conversations with them, especially with women, young and old.
B + C: What was your most valuable takeaway from Selfmade?
My most valuable takeaway was the first day of training: Get out of your own way. There were a lot of great moments and important takeaways from every presenter. However, getting out of my own way, pushing past doubts, was for me my most valuable takeaway. Doing something that I had never done before took courage. If I do not focus on what is happening with me mentally then I cannot deliver to my clients successfully.
B + C: What's one piece of advice you would give to female entrepreneurs on the brink of starting?
Get out of your head. You have something to offer. You have what you need to succeed so go ahead and do it.
B + C: How do you stay motivated?
I stay motivated by listening to music and listening to motivational speakers, and sometimes someone will just reach out and talk about the impact that I made in their life. That adds the extra juice or sauce I need to pummel through the day.
B + C: What's your best organizational tip?
Keep a diary and journal. It's the best way for me to keep organized and it also provides a source motivation as I record not only my "losses" but my wins as well.
B + C: Who inspires you in the entrepreneurial space?
Shirley Toliver – She motivates and empowers and makes me always want to show up.
B + C: What has receiving the Office Depot scholarship to Selfmade done to help you start or grow your business?
The scholarship was a blessing in that all the areas that were covered offered valuable information that I needed, from social media to HR. As a new business owner, I needed to know this to increase my own personal awareness in what it takes to run a successful business. The candidness of the presenters made it easy to see myself in their shoes and helped me to realize that I can also get there.
Thanks Colette! You can follow The M.E.E. Movement on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Want to feel motivated to take the next step for your business? Let Office Depot OfficeMax give you the confidence you need with a suite of business services & solutions to help you put your best foot forward. Make a good first impression with business cards & build the business pitch of your dreams with custom presentations. With Office Depot OfficeMax you'll find the tools to reach new customers with confidence.
Head to Office Depot's Selfmade page to check out even more amazing business resources (and discounts!) to help you accomplish more on your entrepreneurial journey. These offers are available for a limited time only, so be sure to take advantage of all this goodness while supplies last. Want to join the next Selfmade cohort this summer? Check out all of the scholarship details right here.