Check out the is emergency preparedness guide for Idaho families.

With the latest emergencies due to weather and wildfires in The Treasure Valley, it might be a good idea for a refresher on some basic emergency preparedness.

Sure, we all have flashlights and maybe candles to get us through a couple of hours, but what if it lasted for days? The reality is, most people, including most of us in the Treasure Valley, would be scrambling for resources and solutions.

We have all seen the commercials for emergency generators, but the cost usually outweighs the need.

There are a few things that we should all do to be prepared for the most basic emergencies here in The Treasure Valley according to The City Of Boise and The Idaho Office Of Emergency Management:

Build an Emergency Kit: Gather supplies to sustain your household for at least 3 to 14 days, stored in easy-to-carry bags (go-bags) or a central location.

Essentials include:

Water: 1 gallon per person, per day, for both drinking and sanitation.

Food: Non-perishable, ready-to-eat items (canned goods, energy bars) and a manual can opener.

Supplies: First-aid kit, flashlights, extra batteries, a hand-crank radio, and moist towelettes.

Personal Items: 7-day supply of daily prescription medications and copies of important documents in a waterproof container.

Pet Care: At least 3 days of pet food and bottled water.

Make an Evacuation Plan: Tailor your plan to Boise-specific hazards, such as navigating the wildland-urban interface during wildfire season.

Evacuation Routes: Identify primary and secondary exit routes from your neighborhood.

Family Communication: Agree on an out-of-area contact and a designated meeting place if separated.

Ready, Set, Go: Familiarize yourself with the City of Boise Ready Set Go framework so you understand what to do during an immediate wildfire evacuation.

Other things to think about is keeping your vehicle's gas tank full and having some cash on hand in case ATMs are down. A bug out bag of some of the above necessities is also a good thing to keep in your vehicle in case you have to make a quick exit for your home.

You can't prepare for every emergency in the Treasure Valley, but, with some basic planning you can be ready for most of them. Be safe out there.

LOOK: The most expensive weather and climate disasters in recent decades

Stacker ranked the most expensive climate disasters by the billions since 1980 by the total cost of all damages, adjusted for inflation, based on 2021 data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The list starts with Hurricane Sally, which caused $7.3 billion in damages in 2020, and ends with a devastating 2005 hurricane that caused $170 billion in damage and killed at least 1,833 people. Keep reading to discover the 50 of the most expensive climate disasters in recent decades in the U.S.

Gallery Credit: KATELYN LEBOFF

Source: Here’s how to prepare for unexpected emergencies in Idaho.

Categories: Local News