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Disasters happen anytime and anywhere -- and, when disaster strikes, you may not have much time to respond. And sometimes services may be cut off or first responders can’t reach people right away. Would you and your family be prepared to cope until help arrives? Both the Red Cross and FEMA recommend keeping enough supplies in the home to meet your family’s needs for at least three days or longer (up to 2 weeks or more, if possible). Once disaster threatens or hits, you may not have time to shop or search for supplies ... BUT, if you’ve gathered sup plies in advance in your Disaster Supplies Kit, your family could handle an evacuation or shelter living easier. And since everything is all together in one place... all you gotta do is GRAB & GO! Put items you’d most likely need (water, food, first aid, emergency items, etc.) in a container that is easy-to-carry and that will fit in your vehicle. For example, a large trash can or storage container with a lid that snaps shut tightly (some even come with wheels), or a waterproof backpack or large duffel bag (waterproof, if possible) would be useful. We’re also including suggestions for a CAR KIT and a CLASSROOM or LOCKER or OFFICE KIT since these are usually the most common places you would be if and when a disaster strikes. There are seven basic categories of supplies you should stock in your home kit: water, food, first aid supplies, tools and emergency supplies, sanitation, clothing and bedding, and special items. Take advantage of sales and stock up as you can -- also put dates on food cans or labels to show when they were purchased. Supplies should ALL be checked every 6 months to make sure they are still good and working! We suggest you mark dates on your calendar and have the entire family help check all the items together. Again, it will be good quality time with the family and will give you all a chance to update any phone numbers or information that has changed. WATER
Review TIPS ON WATER PURIFICATION at end of Section 2. FOOD
FIRST AID KITS You should always be prepared and keep a First Aid Kit in your home in every car and make sure everyone knows where kits are and how to use them. And if you like the outdoors (hiking, biking, etc.) you should carry a small Kit in your fanny pack or backpack as a precaution. There are many different sizes of First Aid Kits on the market that vary in price. You can also make your own kits using things that may already be in your home. Consider including the following items in a waterproof container or bag so you can be prepared for almost any type of emergency. We realize there are a k of items suggested here, but the more you prepare the better off you and your family will be during a disaster situation. ITEMS TO INCLUDE IN FIRST AID KIT - Ace bandage(s) - Adhesive bandage strips in assorted sizes - Adhesive tape - Antibiotic ointment or gel - Antiseptic towelettes - Assorted sizes of safety pins - Box of Baking soda - Cleansing agent (isopropyl alcohol, hydrogen peroxide and/or soap) - Cold pack - Contact lens solution and Eyewash solution - Cotton and Cotton swabs - Copy of this manual, printed out! - Dental repair kit (usually near toothpaste section) - Disposable Face shield for Rescue Breathing - Disposable gloves - Flashlight & batteries - check often to make sure it works & batteries are good (Tip: remove batteries while stored but keep together) - Gauze pads - Hand sanitizer (with at least 60% alcohol) - Heat pack - Hydrogen peroxide - Lip balm (one with SPF is best) - Moleskin (for blisters on feet) - Needles - Petroleum jelly or other lubricant - Plastic bags - Roller gauze - Scissors - Small bottle of hand lotion - Snake bite kit with extractor - Sunscreen (choose one between SPF 15 and SPF 30) - Thermometer - Triangular bandages - Tweezers NON-PRESCRIPTION DRUGS TO INCLUDE IN FIRST AID KIT - Activated charcoal (use if advised by the Poison Control Center) - Antacid (for upset stomach) • Anti-diarrhea medication • Antihistamine and decongestant (for allergic reactions or allergies and sinus problems) - Aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen and naproxen sodium • Laxative • Potassium Iodide (see NUCLEAR POWER PLANT EMER GENCY) - Vitamins & herbs (e.g. a good multiple, Vitamins C & E, garlic pills or zinc [immune sys], L-Tyrosine [acid for stress], etc.) PRESCRIPTION DRUGS TO INCLUDE IN FIRST AID KIT Since it may be hard to get prescriptions filled during a disaster, talk to your physician or pharmacist about storing these types of medications. And make sure to check labels for special instructions and expiration dates. TIPS ON SOME INEXPENSIVE FIRST AID ITEMS Activated charcoal - absorbs poisons and drugs in the stomach and intestines and helps prevent toxins from being absorbed into the bloodstream by coating intestinal walls. (You should check with the Poison Control Center before taking since it doesn’t work on all toxic substances.) It is found at natural foods stores and pharmacies in powder, liquid, and capsule forms. The capsules can also be broken open to use powder for making a paste on insect bites and stings. Baking soda - aid for occasional heartburn or indigestion; use as substitute for toothpaste; sprinkle in bath water for sore muscles or bites & stings; or make a paste (3 parts baking soda to 1 part water) to use on bee stings or insect bites, poison ivy, canker sores, sunburn, and rashes (but is too strong for infants!) Hydrogen peroxide - can help clean and disinfect wounds, treat canker sores, gingivitis, and minor earaches. Also can be used for cleaning hands or for brushing teeth. (The reason it foams up on skin or item is because of the oxygen at work - means it’s killing germs!) Meat tenderizer - (check ingredient list on bottle for “papain”) make a paste to use on insect bites and stings. Papain is a natural enzyme derived from papaya that can help break down insect venom. Vinegar - helps relieve jellyfish stings, sunburn, and swimmer’s ear. TOOLS AND EMERGENCY SUPPLIES The following items may come in handy if you have to evacuate or if stuck at home without power.
SANITATION Make sure all these items are in a waterproof containers or plastic bags.
CLOTHING AND BEDDING
SPECIAL ITEMS Entertainment - games, books and playing cards Important Family Documents (keep in waterproof, portable safe container and update when necessary. Consider keeping copies of papers off-site in safety deposit box or with close family member.) - Extra set of car keys, cash, traveler’s checks and credit card - Will, insurance policies, contracts, deeds, stocks and bonds - Passports, social security #s/cards, immunization records - Bank account numbers - Credit card numbers, card companies + phone numbers - Inventory of valuable household goods - Family records (birth, marriage, death certificates, photo IDs) - Recent pictures of all family members and pets for ID. Needs RED and GREEN construction paper or RED and GREEN crayons or markers (can signal rescue workers to stop or move on) Remember to pack things for family members with special needs such as Infants, Elderly and Disabled persons, and Pets: For Infants
For Elderly and Disabled (Children & Adults)
For Pets
CAR KIT
CLASSROOM OR LOCKER OR OFFICE KIT
SUGGESTIONS & REMINDERS ABOUT KITS Remember, both the Red Cross and FEMA recommend keeping enough applies to meet your family’s needs for at least three days or longer. You may not have time to shop or search for items once a disaster threatens or hits so make your kits now so you’re prepared for the unexpected. Some things to keep in mind include: • Store your Disaster Supplies Kit in convenient place known to LL family members. Keep a smaller version in the trunk or back of every vehicle (see CAR KIT). • Keep items in airtight plastic bags to keep them dry in kit. • Take advantage of end-of-season clearance sales and grocery sales (esp. can goods) and stock up as you can. Look around your home since you may be able to put a lot of these things together from what is already on shelves or in drawers or medicine cabinets. • Replace your stored food and water supply every 6 months! It’s best to test or replace batteries at this time too. Make a game of it by keeping track on a calendar or on a poster drawn by children so they can help. Also, everyone should meet every 6 months anyway to go over the Family Emergency Plan and update any data (phone numbers, address changes, etc.) Suggestion: Do this every Daylight Savings time - it’s twice a year on a weekend so easy to remember! • Ask your physician or pharmacist about storing prescription medicines. • Visit the U.S. Department of Homeland Security web site for more tips about Kits at www.ready.gov. PREV: Family Emergency Plan © CRSociety.net |