| Preparing your Disaster Kit |
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Tips for Making Your Kit - Keep loose items in airtight plastic bags
- Gather the kit’s items in easy-to-carry containers or duffle bags - put them within reach, near the exit you use most often
- Check and update your kit and family needs at least once a year
Disaster Kit You will need the kit’s supplies if you are confined to your home. They are also valuable if you evacuate to a place other than a well-stocked shelter or if you’re unsure of the shelter’s supplies. |
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Water and Food
First aid supplies and medications
Clothing and bedding
Tools and emergency supplies
Important family documents
More Information |
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Tips for Food and Water - A normally active person needs to drink at least two quarts of water daily. Heat and intense activity can double this amount. Children, nursing mothers and those with special needs may require more.
- Food preparation and sanitation require another two quarts (minimum) per person daily.
- Purchased bottled water that has been sealed is best for storage. It meets FDA guidelines for food, is not as vulnerable to temperature changes as unsealed water and has no shelf life. (Some bottles do have expiration dates, but this is mainly for inventory control.) If for any reason you must disinfect water, use unscented bleach in the ratio of 8 drops per gallon, about ¼ teaspoon, and let the mixture sit 30 minutes before use.
- Choose compact, lightweight foods that do not require refrigeration, cooking or preparation and foods that use little or no water.
- Hand washing with soap and water is extremely important. However, in the event water for hand washing is unavailable, use alcohol-based sanitizer.
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| Food Items to include |
| Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits and vegetables |
| Staples (salt, sugar, pepper, spices, etc.) |
| Powdered milk |
| Canned juices |
| High energy snacks |
| Comfort/stress foods |
| Food for infants |
| Food for individuals with special needs |
| Pedialyte (to restore hydration if needed) |
| Mess kits or paper cups, plates and plastic utensils |
| Non-electric can opener, utility knife |
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First Aid Supplies and Medications
Assemble a first aid kit containing these items for your home and one for each car.
Keep ready a three-day supply of each person's vital medications to include in the kit. |
| Prescription drugs |
| Sterile adhesive bandages in assorted sizes |
| 2-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6) |
| 4-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6) |
| 2-inch sterile roller bandages (3 rolls) |
| 3-inch sterile roller bandages (3 rolls) |
| Triangular bandages (3) |
| Latex gloves (at least 2 pairs) |
| Cleansing agent, soap and moistened towelettes |
| Antiseptic |
| Petroleum jelly or other lubricant |
| Assorted sizes of safety pins |
| Scissors |
| Tweezers |
| Needle |
| Thermometer |
| Tongue depressors (2) |
| Non-prescription drugs |
| Aspirin or non-aspirin pain reliever |
| Anti-diarrhea medication |
| Antacid |
| Laxative |
| Antibiotic ointment |
| Syrup of lpecac |
| Activated charcoal |
| Sunscreen |
| Mosquito repellent, with DEET when appropriate |
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Clothing and Bedding |
| Include at least one complete changes of clothing and footwear per person. |
| Sturdy shoes, work boots, hats and gloves |
| Blankets or sleeping bags |
| Rain gear |
| Extra prescription glasses, sunglasses |
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Tools and Emergency Supplies |
| Cash or traveler's checks, coins |
| Map of the area for locating shelters |
| Battery-operated radio, extra batteries |
| Flashlight, extra batteries |
| Fire extinguisher: small canister ABC type |
| Pliers |
| Compass |
| Signal flare |
| Whistle |
| Shut-off wrench to turn off household water and/or gas |
| Tube tent |
| Plastic sheeting |
| Plastic storage containers |
| Plastic bucket with tight lid |
| Plastic garbage bags and ties for sanitation |
| Tape (duct, masking) |
| Candles |
| Matches in a waterproof container |
| Paper, pencil |
| Needles, thread |
| Medicine dropper |
| Aluminum foil |
| Toilet paper, towelettes |
| Towels |
| Soap, liquid detergent |
| Disinfectant |
| Unscented household chlorine bleach |
| Feminine supplies |
| Personal hygiene items |
| Infant supplies (diapers, bottles and pacifiers) |
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Important Family Documents
Keep copies of records in a waterproof, portable container |
| Wills |
| Insurance policies |
| Contracts and deeds |
| Stocks and bonds |
| Social Security cards |
| Passports |
| Immunization records |
| Bank account numbers |
| Credit card account number and company names and telephone numbers |
| Inventory of valuable household goods |
| Family records (birth, marriage, death certificates) |
| Current photographs of family members |
| Prescriptions |
