During National Preparedness Month, the Postal Service wants employees to remember that home emergencies can happen at any time.
To be prepared, USPS recommends employees build a home emergency supply kit to be ready for the unexpected.
For instance, if the power and water supply to your home were interrupted for 72 hours, here are the basic supplies you would need to sustain everyone in the household:
- One gallon of water per person, per day
- Nonperishable, easy-to-prepare food items
- Medications and any needed medical items
- Cellphone with chargers and a backup battery
- Battery-powered or hand-crank radio, flashlight and extra batteries
- Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties (for personal sanitation)
- Food, water and sanitation supplies for pets
- Wrench or pliers (to turn off utilities)
In light of the coronavirus pandemic, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also recommends including cloth face coverings, soap and hand sanitizer in the kit.
Store all home emergency supplies in airtight plastic bags and keep them in easy-to-carry containers such as plastic bins or a duffel bag.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s website has additional information.
Share your feedback at uspslink@usps.gov. Your comments could be included in the “Mailbag” column.
