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[ Monthly Safety Message ] [ Disaster Preparedness ] [ Disaster Supplies Kit ] [ Senior Citizen Safety ] [ Glossary ]
DISASTER PREPAREDNESS
DISASTER SUPPLIES KIT
Disasters can happen anytime, anywhere. And when disaster
strikes, you may not have much time to respond. A highway spill or hazardous
material leak could mean evacuation. A winter storm could confine your family at
home. An earthquake, flood, or any other disaster could cut water, electricity,
and telephone for days.
After a disaster, local officials and relief workers will be
on the scene, but they cannot reach everyone immediately. You could get help in
hours, or it may take days. Would your family be prepared to cope with an
emergency until help arrives? Your family will cope best by preparing for
disaster before it strikes. An essential component of any family's disaster
preparedness plan is a disaster supplies kit.
Prepare Your Kit
- Review the checklist below.
- Gather the supplies that are listed.
- Place the supplies you'd most likely need for an evacuation
in an easy-to-carry container (such as a backpack, duffel bag, covered trash
container). These supplies are listed below with an asterisk(*).
- There are six basics you should stock for your home: water,
food, first aid supplies, clothing, and bedding, tools and emergency
supplies, and special items.
- Store your kit in a convenient place known to all family
members.
- Keep a smaller version of your disaster supplies kit in the
trunk of your car.
- Keep items in airtight plastic bags.
- Change your stored water and food supply every six months.
- Reevaluate your kit and family needs at least once a year:
replace batteries, update clothes, etc.
- Ask your physician or pharmacist about storing prescription
medications.
Water
- Store water in plastic containers such as soft drink
bottles. Avoid using containers that will decompose or break, such as milk
cartons or glass bottles. A normally active person needs to drink at least
two quarts (a half-gallon) of water each day. Hot environments and intense
physical activity can double that amount. Children, nursing mothers, and ill
people will need more.
- Store at least three gallons of water (a three-day supply)
per person.*
Food
- Store at least a three-day supply of nonperishable food.
Select foods that require no preparation or cooking and little or no water,
such as canned meats, fruits, vegetables. If you must heat food, store a can
of Sterno or a camping stove and fuel. Select food items that are compact
and lightweight. *
First Aid Kit*
Assemble a first aid kit for your home and one for each car. A first aid kit
should include the following:
- Sterile adhesive bandages in assorted sizes
- Assorted sizes of safety pins
- Cleansing agent/soap
- Latex gloves (2 pairs)
- Sun screen
- 2 - inch sterile gauze pads (4 - 6)
- 4 - inch sterile gauze pads (4 - 6)
- Triangular bandages (3)
- Non-prescription drugs
- 2 - inch sterile roller bandages (3 rolls)
- 3 - inch sterile roller bandages (3 rolls)
- Scissors
- Tweezers
- Needle
- Moist towelettes
- Antiseptic
- Thermometer
- Tongue blades (2)
- Tube of petroleum jelly or other lubricant
Non-Prescription Drugs
- Aspirin or nonaspirin pain reliever.
- Antidiarrhea medication.
- Antacid (for stomach upset).
- Syrup of ipecac (use to induce vomiting if advised by the
Poison Control Center)
- Laxative
- Activated charcoal (use if advised by the Poison Control
Center).
Tools and Supplies
- Mess kits or paper cups, plates and plastic utensils.*
- Emergency preparedness manual*
- Battery-operated radio and extra batteries*
- Flashlight and extra batteries*
- Cash or travelers checks, change*
- Nonelectric can opener, utility knife*
- Fire extinguisher (small canister ABC type)
- Tube tent
- Pliers
- Tape
- Compass
- Matches in waterproof container.
- Map of the area (for locating shelters)
- Aluminum foil
- Plastic storage containers
- Signal flare
- Paper, pencil
- Needles, thread
- Medicine dropper
- Shut-off wrench, to turn off household gas and water
- Whistle
- Plastic sheeting
Sanitation
- Toilet paper, towelettes*
- Soap, liquid detergent*
- Feminine supplies*
- Personal hygiene items*
- Plastic bags with ties (for personal sanitation use.)
- Plastic bucket with tight lid (to store sanitation waste)
- Disinfectant.
- Household chlorine bleach
Clothing and Bedding
- Include at least one complete change of clothing and
footwear per person*
- Sturdy shoes or work boots*
- Rain gear*
- Blankets or sleeping bags*
- Hat and gloves
- Thermal underwear
- Sunglasses
Special Items
- Remember family members with special requirements, such as
infants, elderly or disabled persons, and pets.
For Baby*
- Formula
- Diapers
- Bottles
- Powdered milk
- Medications
- Favorite snuggle toy or "blankie"
For Adults*
- Heart and high blood pressure medication
- Insulin
- Prescription drugs
- Denture needs
- Contact lenses and supplies
- Extra eye glasses
Entertainment
- Games and books, playing cards
Important Family Documents*
Keep these records in a waterproof, portable container
- Will, insurance policies, contracts, deeds, stocks and
bonds
- Passports, social security cards, immunization records
- Bank account numbers
- Credit card account numbers and companies
- Inventory of valuable household goods
- Important telephone numbers
- Family records (birth, marriage, death certificates)
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