Press Release: (via cleanfax & RIA)

COLUMBIA, MD — Residents forced to leave their homes and businesses due to flooding often have only a short period of time to pack up their belongings.


The Restoration Industry Association (RIA, formerly ASCR) suggests that individuals keep these items in an emergency kit or gather them during an evacuation:

• 
  Health & homeowners insurance policies, wills, passports
• 
  Family photos & irreplaceable mementos, disposable camera, digital camera, video camera
• 
  Digital inventory CD of house and printout of contents
• 
  Paper & pen, address book, emergency phone numbers (family, hospital, physicians)
• 
  Wallet, checkbook, credit cards and cash
• 
  Canned goods, can opener, peanut butter, protein bars, bouillon cubes, M.R.E.s (meal, ready to eat) baby food
• 
  Bottled water (1/2 gallon per person), water purification tablets
• 
  Sharp knife, duct tape, electrical tape, small shovel, rope, work gloves, fix-a-flat for tires, tarps, dust masks, small toolbox, all-purpose tool
• 
  Water proof matches, butane lighter, small fire extinguisher
• 
  Transistor radio, batteries
• 
  Candles, flashlights
• 
  Pet food and supplies
• 
  Toiletries – toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, hand sanitizer, toilet paper, feminine products, diapers, baby wipes, paper towels, trash bags
• 
  First aid kit, hydrogen peroxide, antibiotic ointment, vitamins, general remedies (cold, flu, allergies, Chap Stick, antacids), glasses
• 
  Clothing – long pants/shirts/gym clothes for sleeping/rain poncho, walking/working shoes, extra underwear and socks, jackets/sweaters
• 
  Sleeping bags, cots, air mattresses, folding chairs
• 
  Laptop computer, cell phone, chargers and car chargers
• 
  Medication and prescriptions
• 
  Extra batteries
• 
  Maps
• 
  Irreplaceable jewelry
• 
  Children’s games, deck of cards

“While this list of is not all-inclusive, it provides a good starting point under very difficult circumstances,” said Rusty Amarante, CR and current RIA president. “RIA members know from experience how important it is to be prepared for the unexpected.”