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Family Disaster
Supplies Kit
| Disasters
happen anytime and anywhere. And when disaster strikes, you may not have
much 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. |
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 (*). |
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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. |
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)
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| 4-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6)
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| Hypoallergenic adhesive tape
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| 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
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| Anti-diarrhea medication
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| Antacid (for stomach upset)
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| 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) |
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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. |
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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*
|
| Non-electric can opener, utility
knife* |
| Fire extinguisher: small canister,
ABC type |
| Tube tent |
| Pliers |
| Tape |
| Compass |
| Matches in a waterproof container
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| Aluminum foil |
| Plastic storage containers
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| 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
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| Disinfectant |
| Household chlorine bleach
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| Clothing and Bedding |
*Include at least one complete change
of clothing and footwear per person.
| Sturdy shoes or work boots*
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| Hat and gloves |
| Rain gear* |
| Thermal underwear |
| Blankets or sleeping bags*
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| Sunglasses |
Special Items
Remember family members with special
needs, 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
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| Extra eye glasses |
Entertainment--games and books
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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