Stephanie Stuckey Benfield Is Prepared
What's in your Ready kit?
"Our Ready kit includes a 30-day supply of fresh water and lots of canned goods with fish, chicken and other protein-rich items and veggies. We also keep face masks for the family and a solar powered radio. In addition, our kit includes basic emergency medical supplies recommended by FEMA. The key is keeping these items stocked and up-to-date, especially the medication. I try to check periodically to make sure they haven't expired so we'll always be ready — just in case!"
Why do you think emergency preparedness is important?
"Emergency preparedness is important because you need supplies and a plan of action in case disaster strikes. If, like me, you have a family, it's even more important to make sure your loved ones are protected. We always think that a disaster will never strike us, but recent events like Hurricane Katrina, flooding in the Midwest and even the tornadoes that struck downtown Atlanta have shown us that disasters can happen anywhere at any time. If you have children, creating a kit and a family communications plan is a good way to teach your kids the importance of emergency preparedness."
Have you or a loved one experienced an emergency where a Ready Kit would have come in handy?
"Fortunately we have not had to use any of our disaster supplies, although we do use up the food items in our kit if they get close to their expiration date and then replenish them. The same thing goes for the medications in our kit too. It's a good problem to have that we created an emergency kit but haven’t had to use it yet!"
