I just bought a couple roadside emergency kits for our cars. It included a BUNCH of stuff. It'd kind of like
this one (I got them at Costco but the exact kit isn't on here). The flashlight in it is hand powered. It was only 30 bucks - well worth it. Getting all that stuff together would have cost far more.
I also got fire extinguishers from Home Depot for the cars and the house. I dug out most of our flashlights and GD bought some batteries. Next project involves more stuff for the car - dried food, water packs, a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt, and an old pair of sneakers and socks. (Imagine being caught during an emergency wearing your heels and shortest skirt.)
The city I work for had a paid meeting with a Red Cross guy to talk about disaster preparedness. I went and he sufficiently scared the sh!t out of me. Or rather, after being addicted to NPR's Katrina reports I was all ready to be scared into it.
I feel a lot better.
