HURRICANE " FLASH FLOOD " HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SPILL " EARTHQUAKE " TORNADO " WINTER STORM " FIRE
Your
Family Disaster Supplies Kit
isasters happen
After a disaster, local officials and relief workers will be on the
D
anytime and any-
scene, but they cannot reach everyone immediately. You could get
where. And when
help in hours, or it may take days. Would your family be prepared
disaster strikes, you
to cope with the emergency until help arrives?
may not have much time
to respond.
Your family will cope best by preparing for disaster before it strikes.
One way to prepare is by assembling a Disaster Supplies Kit. Once
A highway spill of haz-
disaster hits, you won t have time to shop or search for supplies.
ardous material could
But if you ve gathered supplies in advance, your family can endure
mean instant evacuation.
an evacuation or home confinement.
A winter storm could
To prepare your kit
confine your family at
% Review the checklist in this brochure.
home. An earthquake,
flood, tornado or any
% Gather the supplies that are listed. You may need them if your
other disaster could cut
family is confined at home.
off basic services gas,
% Place the supplies you d most likely need for an evacuation in
water, electricity and
an easy-to-carry container. These supplies are listed with an
telephones for days.
asterisk (*).
SUPPLIES
Water
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 intense physical activity can double that amount.
here are six basics
Children, nursing mothers and ill people will need more.
T
you should stock in
Q' Store one gallon of water per person Q' Keep at least a three-day supply
per day (two quarts for drinking, two of water for each person in your
your home: water,
quarts for food preparation/sanitation)* household.
food, first aid supplies,
clothing and bedding,
tools and emergency sup-
Food
plies and special items.
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
Keep the items that you
must heat food, pack a can of sterno. Select food items that are compact and
would most likely need
lightweight.
*Include a selection of the following foods in your Disaster Supplies Kit:
during an evacuation in an
Q' Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits Q' Vitamins
easy-to-carry container
and vegetables
Q' Foods for infants, elderly persons
suggested items are
Q' Canned juices, milk, soup or persons on special diets
(if powdered, store extra water)
Q' Comfort/stress foods  cookies,
marked with an asterisk (*).
Q' Staples  sugar, salt, pepper hard candy, sweetened cereals
Possible containers include lollipops, instant coffee, tea bags
Q' High energy foods  peanut butter,
jelly, crackers, granloa bars, trail mix
First Aid Kit
Assemble a first aid kit for your home and one for each car. A first aid kit*
should include:
Q' Sterile adhesive bandages in assorted Q' Assorted sizes of safety pins
a large, covered
sizes
Q' Cleansing agent/soap
trash container,
Q' 2-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6)
Q' Latex gloves (2 pair)
Q' 4-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6)
Q' Sunscreen
Q' Hypoallergenic adhesive tape
Q' Triangular bandages (3)
Non-prescription drugs
Q' 2-inch sterile roller bandages (3 rolls)
Q' Aspirin or nonaspirin pain reliever
Q' 3-inch sterile roller bandages (3 rolls)
Q' Anti-diarrhea medication
Q' Scissors
Q' Antacid (for stomach upset)
Q' Tweezers
Q' Syrup of Ipecac (use to induce
camping backpack,
Q' Needle
vomiting if advised by the Poison
Q' Moistened towelettes
Control Center)
Q' Antiseptic
Q' Laxative
Q' Thermometer
Q' Activated charcoal (use if advised
Q' Tongue blades (2)
by the Poison Control Center)
Q' Tube of petroleum jelly or other
lubricant
or a duffle bag.
Contact your local American Red Cross chapter to obtain a basic first aid manual.
SUGGESTIONS AND REMINDERS
ERS
Tools and Supplies
Q' Mess kits, or paper cups, plates and
Q' Needles, thread
plastic utensils*
Q' Medicine dropper
Q' Emergency preparedness manual*
Q' Shut-off wrench, to turn off
% Store your kit in a
Q' Battery operated radio and extra
household gas and water
batteries*
convenient place
Q' Whistle
Q' Flashlight and extra batteries*
known to all family
Q' Plastic sheeting
Q' Cash or traveler s checks, change*
Q' Map of the area (for locating members. Keep a
Q' Non-electric can opener, utility knife*
shelters)
smaller version of the
Q' Fire extinguisher: small canister,
Disaster Supplies Kit
ABC type
Sanitation
in the trunk of your car.
Q' Tube tent
Q' Toilet paper, towelettes*
Q' Pliers
Q' Soap, liquid detergent*
Q' Tape
Q' Feminine supplies*
Q' Compass
Q' Personal hygiene items*
Q' Matches in a waterproof container
Q' Plastic garbage bags, ties
Q' Aluminum foil
(for personal sanitation ases)
Q' Plastic storage containers
Q' Plastic bucket with tight lid
Q' Signal flare
Q' Disinfectant
Q' Paper, pencil
Q' Household chlorine bleach
% Keep items in air tight
plastic bags.
Clothing and Bedding
% Change your stored
*Include at least one complete change of clothing and footwear per person.
water supply every
Q' Sturdy shoes or work boots* Q' Hat and gloves
six months so it
Q' Rain gear* Q' Thermal underwear
stays fresh.
Q' Blankets or sleeping bags* Q' Sunglasses
% Rotate your stored food
every six months.
% Re-think your kit and
family needs at least
Special Items
once a year. Replace
Remember family members with special needs, such as infants and elderly or
batteries, update
disabled persons.
clothes, etc.
For Baby*
Q' Entertainment - games and books
% Ask your physician or
Q' Formula
Q' Important Family Documents
pharmacist about
Q' Diapers
Keep these records in a waterproof,
storing prescription
Q' Bottles
portable container.
Q' Powdered milk
medications.
" Will, insurance policies, contracts,
Q' Medications
deeds, stocks and bonds
" Passports, social security cards,
For Adults*
immunization records
Q' Heart and high blood pressure
" Bank account numbers
medication
" Credit card account numbers and
Q' Insulin
companies
Q' Prescription drugs " Inventory of valuable household
goods, important telephone numbers
Q' Denture needs
" Family records (birth, marriage,
Q' Contact lenses and supplies
death certificates)
Q' Extra eye glasses
SUGGESTIONS AND REMIND-
CREATE A FAMILY DISASTER PLAN
To get started...
" Install a smoke detector on each level
Plan how your family will
Contact your local
stay in contact if separated of your home, especially near
emergency management or
by disaster.
civil defense office and your bedrooms; test monthly and change
local American Red Cross
the batteries two times each year.
" Pick two meeting places:
chapter.
" Contact your local fire department to
1) a location a safe distance from
" Find out which disasters are most learn about home fire hazards.
your home in case of fire.
likely to happen in your community.
2) a place outside your neighborhood " Learn first aid and CPR. Contact
" Ask how you would be warned your local American Red Cross
in case you can t return home.
chapter for information and training
" Find out how to prepare for each.
" Choose an out-of-state friend as a
 check-in-contact for everyone to
Meet with your family.
Meet with your neighbors.
call.
" Discuss the types of disasters that
Plan how the neighborhood could work
could occur.
Complete these steps.
together after a disaster. Know your
" Explain how to prepare and " Post emergency telephone numbers
neighbor s skills (medical, technical).
respond. by every phone.
Consider how you could help neighbors
" Discuss what to do if advised to " Show responsible family members who have special needs, such as elderly
evacuate. how and when to shut off water, gas
or disabled persons. Make plans for child
and electricity at main switches.
care in case parents can t get home.
" Practice what you have discussed.
Remember to practice and maintain your plan.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency s Community and Family Preparedness Program and the American
Red Cross Community Disaster Education Program are nationwide efforts to help people prepare for disasters of all
types. For more information, please contact your local emergency management office and American Red Cross
chapter. This brochure and other preparedness materials are available by calling FEMA at 1-800-480-2520, or writing:
FEMA, P.O. Box 2012, Jessup, MD 20794-2012. Publications are also available on the World Wide Web at:
FEMA s Web site: http://www.fema.gov American Red Cross Web site: http://www.redcross.org
Local sponsorship provided by:
FEMA L- 189
ARC 4463