This is the 3rd week of National Preparedness Month. This week’s tips are designed to help you build and maintain an emergency supply kit that can keep you and your family safe and well for at least three days. Even if you don’t already have an emergency supply kit, you probably have many of the items you’d need around your home. Check out the list of suggested items at www.ready.illinois.gov and start by collecting those you already have on hand. Make a list of the remaining items, then purchase one or two as you can. Store your items together in an easy to find location. A large rubber tub works well for storage. Keep important family and financial documents in a waterproof, portable container. Remember family members with special needs, suchas infants and elderly or disabled persons, especially medications. A first-aid kit should include bandages and gauze pads in assorted sizes, hypoallergenic adhesive tape, petroleum jelly or other lubricant, safety pins, scissors, cleansing soap, latex gloves, tweezers, moistened towelettes, antiseptic, thermometer, sunscreen, aspirin or nonaspirin pain reliever, anti-diarrhea medication, laxative, antacid and a first-aid manual. Other items include a battery operated radio and extra batteries, flashlight and extra batteries, cash, utility knife, Emergency Preparedness Manual, duct tape, standard tools, compass, paper, pencil, signal flare, matches in a waterproof container, bags, aluminum foil, toilet paper, feminine supplies, at least one complete change of clothing and footwear per person, sturdy shoes or work boots, rain gear, blankets or sleeping bags, hat and gloves. Clean water for drinking and sanitation may not be available during an emergency, so include one gallon of water per person per day in your emergency supply kit. Store water in plastic containers, such as milk jugs and soft drink bottles. A disaster in your area could cause a power outage. If the outage lasts for several hours or even days, you’ll need to have food available that doesn’t need refrigeration or cooking. A few tips include having foods that require little preparation, avoid things that need water or cooking, make sure it’s food your family will eat, and pack a manual can opener and utensils in the emergency kit.Some suggested foods include ready-to-eat canned foods: meats, fruits, vegetables, soup, juice, and milk; high energy foods: peanut butter, jelly, crackers, granola bars and trail mix; small amounts of comfort foods: candy, sweetened cereals, potato chips, and cookies; dried foods; and instant ready-to-eat meals.As with water, be sure to check your food items periodically and replace items nearing their expiration dates. It might even be a good idea to have a supply kit for your vehicle.