Your Family Disaster Supplies Kit
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 the emergency until help arrives?
Your family will cope
best by preparing for disaster before it strikes. One way to prepare is by assembling a
Disaster Supplies Kit. Once disaster hits, you won't have time to shop or search for
supplies. But if you've gathered supplies in advance, your family can endure an evacuation
or home confinement.
To prepare your kit
Review the checklists
in this document.
Gather the supplies
that are listed. You may need them if your family is confined at home.
Place the supplies
you'd most likely need for an evacuation in an easy-to-carry container. These supplies are
listed with an asterisk (*).
Disasters happen
anytime and anywhere. And when disaster strikes, you may not have much time to respond.
A highway spill of
hazardous material could mean instant evacuation.
A winter storm could
confine your family at home. An earthquake, flood, tornado or any other disaster could cut
off basic services--gas, water, electricity and telephones--for days.
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 of water each day. Hot environments and intense physical activity can
double that amount. Children, nursing mothers and ill people will need more.
Store one gallon of
water per person per day (two quarts for drinking, two quarts for food
preparation/sanitation)*
Keep at least a
three-day supply of water for each person in your household.
Food
Store at least a
three-day supply of non-perishable food. Select foods that require no refrigeration,
preparation or cooking and little or no water. If you must heat food, pack a can of
sterno. Select food items that are compact and lightweight.
*Include a selection of
the following foods in your Disaster Supplies Kit:
Ready-to-eat canned
meats, fruits and vegetables
Canned juices, milk,
soup (if powdered, store extra water)
Staples--sugar, salt,
pepper
High energy
foods--peanut butter, jelly, crackers, granola bars, trail mix
Vitamins
Foods for infants,
elderly persons or persons on special diets
Comfort/stress
foods--cookies, hard candy, sweetened cereals, lollipops, instant coffee, tea bags
First Aid Kit
Assemble a first aid
kit for your home and one for each car. A first aid kit* should include:
Sterile adhesive
bandages in assorted sizes
2-inch sterile gauze
pads (4-6)
4-inch sterile gauze
pads (4-6)
Hypoallergenic
adhesive tape
Triangular bandages
(3)
2-inch sterile roller
bandages (3 rolls)
3-inch sterile roller
bandages (3 rolls)
Scissors
Tweezers
Needle
Moistened towelettes
Antiseptic
Thermometer
Tongue blades (2)
Tube of petroleum
jelly or other lubricant
Assorted sizes of
safety pins
Cleansing agent/soap
Latex gloves (2 pair)
Sunscreen
Non-prescription drugs
Aspirin or nonaspirin
pain reliever
Anti-diarrhea
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)
Contact your local American Red Cross chapter to obtain a basic first aid
manual.
SUPPLIES
There are six basics
you should stock in your home: water, food, first aid supplies, clothing and bedding,
tools and emergency supplies and special items. Keep the items that you would most likely
need during an evacuation in an easy-to-carry container--suggested items are marked with
an asterisk(*). Possible containers include a large, covered trash container; a camping
backpack; or a duffle bag.
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 traveler's
checks, change*
Nonelectric can
opener, utility knife*
Fire extinguisher:
small canister, ABC type
Tube tent
Pliers
Tape
Compass
Matches in a
waterproof container
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
Map of the area (for
locating shelters)
Sanitation
Toilet paper,
towelettes*
Soap, liquid
detergent*
Feminine supplies*
Personal hygiene
items*
Plastic garbage bags,
ties (for personal sanitation uses)
Plastic bucket with
tight lid
Disinfectant
Household chlorine
bleach
Clothing and Bedding
*Include at least one
complete change of clothing and footwear per person.
Special Items
Remember family members
with special needs, such as infants and elderly or disabled persons.
For Baby*
Formula
Diapers
Bottles
Powdered milk
Medications
SUGGESTIONS AND REMINDERS
Store your kit in a
convenient place known to all family members. Keep a smaller version of the Disaster
Supplies Kit in the trunk of your car.
Keep items in
air-tight plastic bags.
Change your stored
water supply every six months so it stays fresh.
Rotate your stored
food every six months.
Re-think your kit and
family needs at least once a year. Replace batteries, update clothes, etc.
Ask your physician or
pharmacist about storing prescription medications.
CREATE A FAMILY DISASTER PLAN
To get started...
Contact your local
emergency management or civil defense office and your local American Red Cross chapter.
Find out which
disasters are most likely to happen in your community.
Ask how you would be
warned.
Find out how to
prepare for each.
Meet with your family.
Discuss the types of
disasters that could occur.
Explain how to
prepare and respond.
Discuss what to do if
advised to evacuate.
Practice what you
have discussed.
Plan how your family will stay in contact if separated by disaster.
Complete these steps.
Post emergency
telephone numbers by every phone.
Show responsible
family members how and when to shut off water, gas and electricity at main switches.
Install a smoke
detector on each level of your home, especially near bedrooms; test monthly and change the
batteries two times each year.
Contact your local
fire department to learn about home fire hazards.
Learn first aid and
CPR. Contact your local American Red Cross chapter for information and training.
Meet with your
neighbors.
Plan how the neighborhood could work together after a disaster. Know your neighbors'
skills (medical, technical). Consider how you could help neighbors who have special needs,
such as elderly or disabled persons. Make plans for child care in case parents can't get
home.
Remember to practice
and maintain your plan.
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FYI