By Bill Montgomery

As the snow continues to fall in Dallas, and we surpass the previous records for snowfall, I realize this could be a disaster. I never thought about snow being a potential survival situation here, until today. Do you have a survival bag for the unexpected?

If I was to have a power loss, I would quickly find that the house was quickly getting cold. Since my stove is electric and the stack of firewood outside only has a few pieces left, things are going to get cold. Even if you have gas heating, you wouldn't have the electric fan to circulate the warm air. This inconvenience is now becoming a real problem.

It's cold outside and my house provides the shelter I need. Having the items I need to survive the next few days could make the difference between an inconvenience and a real disaster. Having a survival kit for emergencies like this allows me to concentrate on the basics without having to search for the tools and supplies I need. Some of the basic items I keep in my kit are listed below.

Water
Two liters per person per day is the recommended minimum amount to have available. Assuming that the running water has stopped because of the power outage, your choices could become limited. Having bottled water is a good option if you remember to rotate it occasionally and have enough stored. There are also other types of packaged water that are designed for years of storage with an expiration date printed on them. You might consider melting the snow, but contamination could be a problem.

Food
This is needed to keep our energy up, help us stay warm and remain emotional sound. Canned food is great as long as you don't have to rely on an electric can opener. Do you have foods that don't require cooking? I have two teen age boys and it seems like we are always out of food. Consider some foods that are packaged with a long shelf life. I keep some MRE and freeze-dried foods in my survival kit. With the optional heater kits, these can be ready to provide a warm meal in just a few minutes.

Shelter
My house is my shelter, but the temperature is falling. I need to make sure I have enough blankets or sleeping bags for everyone in the house. Although I don't keep these in my survival bag, they are in a closet and can be easily found. Make sure you can find your stuff before you need it.

Tools
You might have a garage full of tools, but do they work if the power is out? I suggest keeping the following in your kit. A multi-tool can be a great asset for opening food and other tasks. Include a couple flashlights that use batteries or a crank for power. Candles or glowsticks are also helpful at night, especially if you have children who are afraid of the dark. A portable radio or walkie-talkies with a built-in weather channel are great for news and weather alerts. Matches, lighters or other firestarters can be used for cooking, lighting and building a fire. Lastly, keep some paper and a pen available for taking notes or leaving a message.

The suggestions above are just that. You should use them as a guideline when creating your own disaster kit. No matter which items you choose, make sure you place them in a good container. This container can be a backpack or something similar. Just make sure it can be found, even in the dark.