Emergency Management Agency
Disaster Preparedness

Your Family Disaster Supplies Kit

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.

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.

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
 Camping backpack
 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 a can of sterno.  Select food items that are compact and light weight.

* 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 toweletts
 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 non-aspirin 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

 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
 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)
 Plastic bucket with tight lid
 Disinfectant
 Household chlorine bleach

Clothing and Bedding
 * Include at least one complete change of clothing and footwear per person.
 Sturdy shoes or work boots  *
 Rain gear  *
 Blankets or sleeping bags  *
 Hat and gloves
 Thermal underwear
 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
 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)

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.
 

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.
 Pick two meeting places: (1) A location a safe distance from your home in case of fire.  (2) a place outside your neighborhood in case you can't return home.
 Choose an out-of-state friend as a "check-in-contact" for everyone to call.

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 neighbor's 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.