Getting Prepared

Building a Disaster Kit ::

Your disaster kit should include enough supplies to last you and your family for a minimum of 3 days.  Here are six basics you should stock for your home:

• Water

• Food

• First Aid Supplies

• Clothing and Bedding

• Tools and Emergency Supplies

• Special Items (Medication and Personal Items)

Keep the items that you would most likely need during an evacuation in an easy-to carry container

Possible Containers include:

• A large, covered trash container
• A camping backpack
• A duffle bag

Store your kit in a convenient place known to all family members and keep a smaller version of the Disaster Supply Kit in the trunk of your car.


Water
Store water in plastic containers such as empty soft drink bottles or milk jugs. 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).  For the elderly, you will want 1 1/2 to 2 gallons a day.  Keep at least a three-day supply of water per person.

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 or a camping stove. Select food items that are compact and lightweight.

The following items make good emergency rations:

• Emergency food bars (specially designed to provide nutrients and calories)
• Military MRE rations (no cooking required)
• Dehydrated camping meals (may require cooking)
• Canned or bagged tuna, chicken, ham.  Can be made into sandwiches or cooked with pasta or rice side dishes.
• Granola bars and energy bars
• Dried fruit
• Individually wrapped snacks and puddings
• Peanut butter and jelly
• Hard candy, such as peppermints
• Just-add-water side dishes to mix with canned meat and vegetables
• Can opener

When purchasing food for your emergency kit or to stock up before a storm, remember to purchase items you would normally eat, so that you can use any extras after the storm. 

First Aid Kit
Assemble a first aid kit for your home and for each car. A first aid kit should include:

• Sterile adhesive bandages in assorted sizes
• Assorted sizes of safety pins
• Cleansing agent/soap
• Latex gloves (2 pairs)
• Sunscreen
• 2-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6)
• 4-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6)
• 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
• 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)

Tools and Supplies

• Paper cups, plates and plastic utensils (mess kits)
• Emergency preparedness manual
• Battery-operated radio and extra batteries
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Non-electric can opener
• Plastic sheeting (10' by 10')
• Duct Tape
• Plastic storage containers
• Whistle
• a corded telephone
• Household chlorine bleach
• One complete change of clothing and footwear per person.
• Rain gear
• Blankets or sleeping bags
• Remember family members with special requirements, such as infants and elderly or disabled persons

• Medication
• Insulin
• Prescription drugs (2 weeks supply)
• Denture needs
• Contact lenses and supplies
• Extra eye glasses
• Entertainment
• Games and books

• Keep items in airtight plastic bags.
• Change your stored water supply every six months so it stays fresh.
• Replace 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.