Most days here in Eastern Ohio, Mother Nature doesn’t bring anything terribly unexpected — temperatures are usually seasonal or even more mild, winds may be strong and gusty but are more often gentle and breezy, and precipitation keeps our plants green and healthy without causing major slides, flooding or other hazards.

But severe weather can happen at anytime, anywhere — even right here at home.

Our own memories should provide enough evidence of this to make us exercise caution when appropriate. Within just the last few decades, we have experienced derecho conditions that have resulted in serious property damage, heavy snowfall that has left us stranded, small tornadoes and deadly flash flooding.

Now is a good time to think about all of that, since spring — and all of the unsettled weather it can bring — officially arrives Wednesday, right in the middle of Ohio’s Spring Severe Weather Awareness Week.

A pair of reports on Page 1 of today’s edition of The Times Leader will tell you more about statewide observances and drills designed to help ensure that Ohioans are ready for whatever the season brings.

One of the most important steps you and your family can take to get yourselves ready is to prepare one or more emergency kits — at least one for your home and one for each of your vehicles. But what the heck should those kits contain?

According to the National Weather Service, some key items top that list:

Flashlight(s)

NOAA Weather Radio or portable radio

Extra batteries

Cellphone with charger(s)

Matches

Cash and/or traveler’s check

Food (three-day supply per person)

Canned and dried foods

Canned and/or boxed drinks

Bottled water (1 gallon per person per day)

Cooking utensils

Cooking pot

Sterno stove and fuel

Plastic dishes

Eating utensils

Aluminum foil

Manual can opener

Sanitary Supplies

Toothbrush and toothpaste

Soap

Shampoo

Sponge

Cleanser

Bleach

Paper towels and/or napkins/towelettes

Plastic trash bags

Tissues

Extra clothes

Sturdy shoes

Hat

Rain gear

Blankets and towels

Sunglasses

Sunscreen

Mosquito repellent

Pencils

Map(s) of the area

Camera (to take photos of damage)

Extra set of car, house/apartment, work keys

Documents

Important phone numbers

Important records

Insurance policies

Family pictures

Tools and repair supplies

Tarps (for temporary roof repair)

Work gloves

Knife

First Aid Kit

Baby Supplies

Pet Supplies

Of course, you should customize your kits according to your own needs. The most important thing is to give this some thought so that you can be prepared in the event of a real weather emergency.