Winter storms can bring down tree limbs and power lines, which may leave a home without heat and make travel difficult. That is why it helps to prepare a winter emergency kit for seniors with two separate kits.
Keep one at home for riding out a power outage and a smaller bag by the door in case you need to leave. Senior Helpers Northwest Pittsburgh explains what to include in each kit.
The Stay-at-Home Bin
Plan for three days without power. You’ll want drinking water, food you can eat without cooking, and a way to see after dark. The Ready.gov kit checklist lists basic supplies for a home emergency kit and suggests how to store and maintain them.
Items to pack include
- Water in bottles small enough to lift with one hand.
- Canned soup, beans, and fruit with pull-tab lids.
- A flashlight for each room you use, plus batteries.
- Warm layers, a wool hat, and an extra blanket.
- A battery-powered radio for local news.
Store the bin on the floor or a low shelf in the room where you’d gather during an outage. It keeps it within reach without requiring you to lift or climb.
The Grab-and-Go Bag
This bag is an important part of a winter emergency kit for seniors. Keep it small so you can pick it up and leave quickly if you need to stay somewhere else.
Useful content includes
- A printed list of your medications and doses.
- Copies of your insurance cards and photo ID.
- Your doctors’ names and phone numbers.
- Spare glasses.
- A phone charger.
- A change of clothes and a toothbrush.
Ask your pharmacist or doctor how to keep a few days of backup medication on hand and how to store it.
Power and Phones
Winter storms can knock out power for hours or longer. The Ready.gov power outage page explains how to prepare for an outage and stay safe while it lasts. Its advice includes keeping freezer doors closed and using generators only outdoors.
Never run a generator, grill, or camp stove inside the house or garage, since they give off carbon monoxide.
A charged power bank can keep a cellphone going during an outage. Write key phone numbers on a card and keep it in the bag, since a dead phone takes your contact list with it.
If you use medical equipment that needs electricity, ask your doctor about a backup plan. Contact your electric company before the first storm to discuss your options.
Keeping the Winter Emergency Kit for Seniors Ready
Set a reminder to review both kits at the start of winter and again in spring. Check the dates on food and batteries, swap out the water, and update your medication list. That way, the kit you grab matches your current needs.
Help With the Heavy Lifting
Cases of water and canned goods for a winter emergency kit for seniors can be heavy to carry. Senior Helpers Northwest Pittsburgh offers in-home care that includes picking up supplies and helping pack and check both kits.
Caregivers also provide companionship and help with errands once the weather turns. Our office covers Avalon, Bellevue, Ben Avon, Carnegie, and Sewickley. Contact us before the first heavy snow.