Prepare a Disaster Kit
Disasters happen anytime and anywhere. And when disaster
strikes, you may not have much time to respond.
strikes, you may not have much time to respond.
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.
off basic services - gas, water, electricity and telephones - 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 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
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 (*).
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
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.
A highway spill of hazardous material could mean instant
evacuation.
evacuation.
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 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:
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:
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.
SUGGESTIONS AND REMINDERS
basic first aid manual.
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.
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.
per person.
- Sturdy shoes or work boots*
- Hat and gloves
- Rain gear*
- Thermal underwear
- Blankets or sleeping bags*
- Sunglasses
Special Items Remember family members with special needs,
such as infants and elderly or disabled persons. For Baby*
such as infants and elderly or disabled persons. For Baby*
- Formula
- Diapers
- Bottles
- Powdered milk
- Medications
For Adults*
- Heart and high blood pressure medication
- Insulin
- Prescription drugs
- Denture needs
- Contact lenses and supplies
- Extra eye glasses
Entertainment--games and books.
Important Family Documents Keep these records in a
waterproof, portable container.
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)
