Prepare

Make a Plan

Build a Kit

Get Trained

Volunteer

Make a Plan

Disasters often strike quickly and without warning. A disaster can force you to evacuate your home or office, separate you from your family, and affect your access to every day necessities like food, water, and electricity.

Making a plan for your family or business is essential to answering questions like:

Where do I go if I can't find my family members?

What do we do if we do not have water or electricity?

How quickly can my business re-open?

To begin answering these questions and to create your own family or business emergency plan, click here.

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Build a Kit

Building a disaster kit is an easy way to protect your family and business during an emergency. A disaster kit makes portable all of the resources necessary to keep you and your family or your business safe during and after a disaster.

Your disaster kit supplies should be stored in an easy-to-carry container.

Here are some examples of great disaster kit containers:

• Large, hard-sided container (ex: plastic storage container)
• Camping backpack
• Duffle bag

Keep your kit stored in a convenient place that is known to all family members or employees. You should also keep a smaller version of this disaster kit in your car.

Your disaster kit should include enough supplies to last you and your family for a minimum of 3 days!

We've listed six basic necessities you should keep stored in your home and disaster kits:

1. Water
2. Food
3. First Aid Supplies
4. Clothing and Bedding
5. Tools and Emergency Supplies
6. Special Items (Medication and Personal Items)

Click on these links to learn more about the necessary items for your disaster kit. Also, check out these important kit tips!

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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.

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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.

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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)

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Clothing and Bedding

A set of clean bedding for you and your family members is very important during an evacuation. Also, extra sets of clean clothes for your family members is important because laundry facilities may not be available and you may be away from your home for an extended period of time.

It is important to also remember to dress for the weather and pack extra shoes and rain gear, like ponchos and umbrellas.

Keep a supply of clean clothes and bedding as part of your emergency kit in an easy-to-carry suitcase or duffle bag.

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, elderly, or disabled persons

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Special Items

For Baby

For Adults

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

Important Family Documents
Keep these records in a waterproof, portable container:

• 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.

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Get Trained

Learning basic skills like first-aide and CPR can save lives. There are many local opportunities for you, your family members, or employees to get this basic training.

Click to find out about training opportunities with the American Red Cross of Central Florida

Also, learning about your local Office of Emergency Management can help to keep you and your loved ones safe. Remember to stay informed by checking our website each week for new, important information!

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Volunteer

Want to help your fellow citizens during an emergency? Enjoy helping others? Ready to make a difference in your community?

If so, we're looking for you! Volunteers are an essential component to disaster response and recovery. For information on how you can get involved and make a difference in the Orlando community, check out Orlando Citizen Corps!

For disaster training volunteer opportunities contact Adolfina Ortiz, Disaster Volunteer Manager at (321) 235-5432 or Adolfina.Ortiz@cityoforlando.net.

You can also volunteer your time at the Orlando Emergency Operations Center. The City of Orlando's Citizen Information Line is a vital tool for our residents during an emergency. Volunteers work in shifts answering non-emergency phone calls at the Emergency Operation Center. If you are interested in volunteering, contact the Volunteer Program Manager, Traci Blue, at

(407) 246- 2802 or Traci.Blue@cityoforlando.net.

Additionally, you can volunteer after a disaster during the recovery effort. Don't wait until the last minute to get trained! Learn how to protect yourself, your family, and help others. Prepare and get ready now.

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