The most important thing you can do is to get yourself, your family and your home prepared.
These are some basics you should stock for your home. Keep the items that you would most likely need during an emergency in an easy to carry pack. Possible containers include a large, covered trash container, a camping backpack, or a duffle bag.
Food and Water
Water ♦ Water can be stored in plastic containers such as soft drink bottles, or large water storage 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. Keep at least a three-day supply of water per person (two quarts for drinking, two quarts for each person in your household for food preparation/sanitation).
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. Select food items that are compact and lightweight. Include a selection of the following foods in your Disaster Supplies Kit. Ready-to-eat meals Canned juices High energy foods Vitamins Food for infants Comfort / stress foods
First Aid Kit
♦ Have a first aid kit for your home and one for each car. (20) adhesive bandages, various sizes (1) 5" x 9" sterile dressing (1) conforming roller gauze bandage (2) triangular bandages (2) 3 x 3 sterile gauze pads (2) 4 x 4 sterile gauze pads (1) roll 3" cohesive bandage (2) germicidal hand wipes or waterless alcohol-based hand sanitizer (6) antiseptic wipes (2) pair large medical grade non-latex gloves Adhesive tape, 2" width Anti-bacterial ointment Cold pack Scissors Tweezers 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) 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 for pay phones 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 Shut-off wrench, to turn off household gas and water Whistle Plastic sheeting Sanitation, Clothing and Bedding Sanitation Toilet paper, towelettes Soap, liquid detergent Feminine supplies Personal hygiene items Plastic garbage bags, ties (for personal sanitation uses) 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 requirements, 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 Board games and other games that don’t require batteries or electricity, books for adult readers and for children. For Pets ►In the interest of protecting pets, the Humane Society of the United States offers these tips for inclusion in your family disaster plan:
♦ Do not leave your pets behind. ♦ Securely fasten a current identification tag to your pet's collar and carry a photograph of your pet. It's important to include the phone number of a friend or family member on the tag so anyone who may find your pet is able to reach someone who knows you. ♦ Transport pets in secure pet carriers and keep pets on leashes or harnesses. ♦ Call hotels in a safe/host location and ask if you can bring your pets. Most emergency shelters do not admit pets. ♦ Call friends, family members, veterinarians or boarding kennels in a safe/host location to arrange foster care if you and your pets cannot stay together. ♦ Pack a week's supply of food, water and other provisions, such as medication or cat litter. ♦ Keep a list of emergency phone numbers (veterinarian, local animal control, animal shelters, Red Cross, etc.). Possessions and 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) ♦ Store your kit in a convenient place known to all family members . -Keep a smaller version of your supplies kit in the trunk of your car. ♦ Keep items in airtight plastic bags. - Change your stored water supply every six months so it stays fresh. - 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.
The above information is also available from The American Red Cross.