Disasters can happen anytime, anywhere. Unfortunately, no area is safe from the possibility of a disaster. And while disasters often cannot be predicted, measures can be taken to help your family cope should disaster strike. Living in an area prone to hurricanes, many of us are familiar with evacuations, as well as the temporary cut off of basic services such as gas, water, electricity, and telephones. And while we all hope not to have to experience the loss of these services, they are often the first services lost during a disaster. You can, however, make the situation more bearable for your family by making emergency preparations. Emergency kits are very important in times of disaster. They give you access to needed supplies and alleviate the stress of trying to locate items. In order to ensure that your family has a proper emergency kit should disaster strike your area, here is a list of the six basic areas that you should have stocked.
- Water: Store one gallon of water per person per day (two quarts for drinking, two quarts for food preparations/sanitation). Keep at least a three-day supply of water for each person in your household. Water should be stored in plastic containers such as soft drink bottles. Avoid storing water in containers that will break or decompose.
- 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. The following are some items that should be included in your food supply:
- 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, instant coffee, tea bags
- First Aid Kit: Assemble a first aid kit for your home and one for each car. Include items such as:
- Bandages
- Scissors
- Tweezers
- Needle
- Moistened towelettes
- Antiseptic
- Thermometer
- Safety pins
- Soap
- Latex gloves
- Sunscreen
- Non-prescription drugs such as aspirin, antacid, syrup of Ipecac, and laxatives
- Tools and Supplies
- Paper cups, utensils, and plates
- Battery operated radio and extra batteries
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- Signal flare
- Compass
- Shut-off wrench, to turn off household gas and water
- Non-electric can opener, utility knife
- Sanitation supplies: toilet paper, soap, feminine supplies, garbage bags, personal hygiene items, disinfectant, plastic bucket with a tight lid
- 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.
- Baby: formula, diapers, bottles, powdered milk, medications
- Adults: heart and high blood pressure medication, insulin, prescription drugs, denture needs, contact lenses and supplies, and extra eyeglasses
- Entertainment — games and books
- Important Family Documents (keep these records in a waterproof 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)