Anyone who watched news coverage of the aftermath of Katrina understands how quickly things can change when it comes to hurricanes.  A storm that looks like a mere inconvenience or a just a day off from work may ultimately prove deadly.  Therefore, it's important to prepare for all storms.

Every household needs a hurricane kit that can be used if you stay in your home or taken with you if you evacuate.

What usually works best is to have each member of household pack a small suitcase or backpack with clothes and toiletries for 3 days.  Insist that they put on sturdy clothes to weather the storm or evacuate; jeans and athletic shoes are better choices than shorts and flip-flops.  Remember to pack rain jackets and warm weather clothing, but include pants and long-sleeve shirts because you may have to deal with mosquitoes after the storm passes.

Next, have each member strip his or her bed and make a bedroll of a pillow, thick blanket and two sheets.  Secure the rolls with belts or stuff them into large plastic bags for carrying.  Remember that the nights will be warm and muggy, and you may be "camping out" together in the hallway or shelter.  Use the blankets for padding and the sheets to cover up.

Pack water and food in sturdy boxes.  Remember to store them where they won't come in contact with rain or flood waters because they'll be contaminated.  Forget about ice; unless you have medications that must be kept cold, it isn't worth the weight.  (You can buy or make ice before the storm and stuff your freezer full, giving yourself ice for a day or two if you remain in the house.)

Everything that isn't in food boxes, backpacks or bedrolls needs to be stored in a sturdy plastic bin with a lid.  You may give some thought to getting something that can be carried by two people or rolled on wheels, since you may have to carry it to a shelter or put it in the car to leave town.

Food for 3 days

Each member of the household needs to food for at least three days.  These must be nonperishable items such as canned tuna, Chef Boyardee products, peanut butter and crackers, canned drinks, and cereal with powdered or shelf-stable milk.  Don't include salty foods because they might cause you to use up your water sooner than you should.

Don't forget to pack a can opener and church key!  Also pack disposable plates, cups, utensils and napkins because tap water may not be safe for washing dishes in.

If you can stomach them (and afford them) military MREs are a great choice for emergency food because they are lightweight, packed in watertight plastic and high in calories.  Military families may find them at the commissary; otherwise, look in stores that sell camping supplies.

Water

Remember that you're going to need a lot more water than you think.  If your power goes out during (or after) the hurricane, you and the other members of your household are going to be sitting around in a hot house drinking more water than you normally would.  You'll also need water to mix drink powders or powdered milk.  Because tap water might be contaminated, you may also need water to wash yourself with. 

First Aid Kit

Look for a first-aid kit in a case that can be tightly closed to keep water out and that includes a small first-aid manual.  While preparing for every possible first aid emergency can get quite expensive, remember that you may not be able to leave your house to get medical treatment.  Cuts and scrapes need to be tended to to prevent infection, especially if the person has been in contact with flood water.  Don't forget to include things like anti-diarrhea medication, anti-histimines, pain relievers and other over-the-counter remedies.

Remember to include a supply of prescription medications for every household member that needs them.  Also include bug repellent and sunscreen.

Radio

A boom box will do, but you may want to buy a radio that will allow you to listen to local TV stations and NOAA broadcasts.  A battery-operated radio will play for many hours, but because it will be your only source of information (as well as being used to listen to music), you'll need to pack extra batteries.  A good alternative is a hand-cranked radio.  Some models come with built-in flashlight functions and cell-phone chargers.

Flashlight

Again, a battery operated flashlight will be adequate.  It would be better to get two so the rest of the household still has light when one member takes it into the bathroom.  Energizer makes a flashlight that can run on D, C or AA cells, making it an excellent choice.  Another good choice is a flashlight you shake to charge instead of relying on batteries, although you may get very tired to shaking them after a day or so.

You may want to invest in a battery-operated lantern.  They provide better light than flashlights, illuminating most of a room.  The nights will be very dark if the power goes out; you will want to have enough light to read or play cards by.

Candles, Lamps, Lanterns

Think very carefully before deciding to use a light source that involves flame!  Under no circumstances, use "naked" candles that leave the flame exposed to ignite blowing curtains, clothing, etc.  Place candles in a hurricane lamp, a tall glass tube attached to a sturdy base that protects the flame. 

Another alternative is a wick lamp or lantern that uses paraffin or lamp oil.  You can also use kerosene, but it may produce an unpleasant smell.  Citronella oil will help keep mosquitos away, but it's only safe to use outdoors.  Do not use any kind of wick lamp or lantern in an enclosed room because they may emit dangerous fumes. 

Remember that using candles and lamps is risky.  They're definitely not a good idea around young children or excitable pets that might knock them over and start a fire.

If you do decide to use candles or lamps, remember to pack lamp oil and waterproof matches or a cigarette lighter.

Fire Extinguisher

Whether you use candles or not, it's important to have an ABC fire extinguisher on hand.

Santitation Supplies

Pack a couple of rolls of toilet paper.  It will be especially important if you decide to evacuate to a shelter, which may run out before you can return home.  Pack disposable wipes or alcohol-based hand-cleaner to use after going to the bathroom and before handling food.  Remember tampons and sanitary napkins, diapers and diaper creme for babies.  Talcum powder or cornstarch is a good idea to protect against chafing while you're sitting around in the heat and humidity.  Don't forget towels and washclothes.  You may only have enough water for sponge-bathing, in which case you'll want to skip washing your hair.  (Although, if you can find a product called PSST that allows you to wash your hair without water, definitely include it.)

Include a bucket with a tight-fitting lid.  Sometimes the water will be cut off during and after a hurricane.  You can fill the bathtup with water and use a bucket to pour water into the toilet after use, flushing it.  However, you should prepare for the possibility that you won't be able to do this, in which case you'll have to use the bucket as a makeshift toilet.  Make sure it has a lid! 

Cards, board games, books

There are a variety of products that will allow you to watch television if the power is out.  There is even a fairly large TV that runs on a car battery.  This, however, isn't practical in a hurricane kit.  Before buying a battery operated television, remember that you'll have to carry your hurricane kit from the garage into the house or maybe out into the car to evacuate.  You don't want the weight of the TV plus all the batteries you'll need to run it.  The same goes for portable DVD players, which not only need batteries but a supply of movies to watch. 

If you need reading glasses, be sure to bring them.

Pack a couple of decks of cards.  Also pack a book of rules for card games.  Remember that young people may have only played card games on the computer.  Other good games to pack (along with the rules) are a small backgammon board, a small set of dominoes, a small Scrabble game and board games such as Sorry.  Buy the "travel" games to avoid taking up too much space in your kit.

Don't include in your kit

Anything perishable.

Valuables (you'll need to carry cash, but keep it in a pocket)

Weapons

Anything illegal