Build a Kit
Disasters
can occur quickly and without warning. And when an emergency strikes, it
can force you to evacuate your neighborhood or confine you to your home.
If a destructive storm cut off your power, phone and other basic services
for several days, or if a chemical spill or other hazard forced you to
stay in your home, what would you do?
Your family will cope
best by preparing for disaster before it strikes. Assemble a Disaster
Supplies Kit now — once disaster hits, you won't have time to shop
or search for supplies. Be prepared — build a kit!
To
prepare your kit
You should keep enough supplies in your home to meet your needs for at
least three days. Build a Disaster Supplies Kit to take with you in
an evacuation.
The basics you should
stock in your portable kit include: water, food, first aid supplies, a
change of clothing and blanket or sleeping bag, emergency tools (like
flashlights, radio, batteries), and special items for infants, elderly or
disabled. Keep these items in an easy-to carry container-such as a covered
trash container, a large backpack, or a duffle bag.
Water
- Keep at least a
three-day supply of water per person.
- Store one gallon of
water per person per day.
(two quarts for drinking, two quarts for
each person in your household for food preparation/sanitation)
- 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 strenuous activity can double
that amount. Children, nursing mothers, and ill people will also need
more.
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 (fuel).
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
- Staples (salt, sugar,
pepper, spices, etc.)
- High energy foods
- Vitamins
- Food for infants
- Comfort/stress foods
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
(Recommended Items are Marked with an Asterisk *)
- 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 ABC type stored near where fires are likely to occur such as a
kitchen, or near a fireplace. It should not be kept in the disaster
supplies kit.
- 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
(Recommended Items are Marked with an Asterisk *)
- 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
(Recommended Items are Marked with an Asterisk *)
*Include at least
one complete change of clothing and footwear per person. We suggest long
pants and long sleeves for additional protection after a disaster.
- Sturdy shoes or work
boots*
- Rain gear*
- Blankets or sleeping
bags*
- Hat and gloves
- Thermal underwear
- Sunglasses
Emergency Kit For Your Car
- Battery powered radio
and extra batteries
- Flashlight and extra
batteries
- Blanket
- Booster cables
- Fire extinguisher (5
lb., A-B-C type)
- First aid kit and
manual
- Bottled water and
non-perishable high energy foods, such as granola bars, raisins and
peanut butter.
- Maps
- Shovel
- Tire repair kit and
pump
- Flares
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)
First Aid Kit
Assemble a first aid
kit for your home and one for each car.
- 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)
- Non-prescription drugs
- 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
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