Items to have in case of power outages

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Superstorm Sandy was a wake-up call for those impacted by the storm and those now see the devastation it caused across the country.

Jay Bonafede of the American Red Cross said, "This is kind of a good reminder of the importance of being prepared. Having an emergency kit together and having an emergency plan together."

There are a few things that you can get now that will be very helpful in case of an emergency.

"What you want is water. At least a three day supply of water. At least a three day supply of non-perishable food items. You will want to have a flashlight nearby. One thing you will want is a radio. Some way to keep track of what is happening because if you lose power you are not going to be able to watch TV," said Bonafede.

Some examples of non-perishable food items are cereal and granola. But something like milk is a bad choice because if the power goes out, your fridge won't be running and it will likely spoil.

A hand-crank generator can serve as a multipurpose flashlight, radio, weather radio, and can even charge your phone. However, it takes a lot to charge up your mobile device, and it could wear you out in the process. Another alternative is to use your car's charger if you are traveling.

And heat is another thing to consider. The Red Cross offers survival blankets that can come in very small packaging.

Lastly, you may want to consider a non-electrical sump pump to keep your basement from flooding when there's no power.