Build a hurricane survival kit

Having items as nonperishable food, bottled water and first-aid kits on hand can make getting through emergency conditions much easier. In some cases, items can save lives.

For example, having bags of ice in a freezer and a plastic beverage cooler might be all that is necessary to keep prescription medicine that requires refrigeration during a power outage.

Each household should have its own personal emergency kit. What should be in it? Here are some ideas:

Specialized emergency kits that contain several of the aforementioned items are sold at boating and camping outfitters. But it's probably less expensive to put together a kit of your own.

Large plastic storage bins with locking tops are perfect for stocking supplies in utility rooms, basements and garages. Store them high on shelves so they'll stay dry during flooding. Keep items such as batteries and dried foods fresh by rotating them regularly.

Two large-ticket items that might be useful during a power outage are a vacuum food sealer and a gasoline-powered generator. A vacuum sealer, from about $75 for a small model, can protect important items, including matches, medicines and cell phones, from water damage and also extend the shelf life of dried foods.

A generator can supply power to a small refrigerator, or recharge a cell phone or perhaps keep an electric-powered medical device working. Smaller generators, between 2,000 and 3,000 watts, are available from about $399.