favorite non essential items in hurricane kit

[Steve]

Cigs, lighters, papers, etc.

[LSU2001]

don't forget chainsaws to go with the beer, wine, cigs, and papers. Wouldn't want to not be able to cut up the tree leaning on the powerlines while drunk

[DanKellFla]

beer, lots and lots of beer

You're in louisiana, so I don't see how you missed the memo, but beer isn't optional.

Glow Sticks from the dollar store for the kids. That way, I don't have to give them a flashlight that I know they won't turn off.
A roll of construction paper from Home Depot and crayons. Roll it out on the floor and make it as big as you need to. It is novel enought to keep the kids happy for a long time. It can accomadate from 1 to (OH NO!!) 20 kids.

A portable DVD player. I just read if I get bored. But, durring the storm, use it to distract young children. It helps them deal with the fear.

[NativeFloridaGirl]

The glow sticks that can be connected in a circle are great to put on your pets when they go outside in the extreme dark to do their business too.

My favorite thing ever for post-hurricane survival (beyond a hotel with a/c and room service) is a car charger for the ipods. This saves me from my teenagers music for hours on end. There is only so much Dragon Lords a mother can listen to without going bezerk. Beyond that it gives them something that's normal in their lives that they can control while helping with clean up.

Beth

[baygirl_1]

A roll of construction paper from Home Depot and crayons. Roll it out on the floor and make it as big as you need to. It is novel enought to keep the kids happy for a long time. It can accomadate from 1 to (OH NO!!) 20 kids.

OK, I"m heading to Home Depot tomorrow for that! Wonderful idea-- thank you!
I, also, recommend one of those portable misters (a curved, upright plastic tube that emits a light mist when attached to the water hose). They cost about $10-12 at Lowe's. I enjoy it when we're outside on the patio cooking out. But, it's a great way to stay cool when the power's out because it requires only the water hose, no batteries or generator. (Of course, you need to be sure the water's okay after the storm.)