disaster supplies

disaster supplies Items stored in case of emergency, such as a prolonged power outage, earthquake, or flood. Recommended disaster supplies include the following: Water. Store at least 3 gallons of waterper person (2 quarts for drinking, 2 quarts for food preparation/sanitation × three days). Store it in plastic containers, such as soft drink bottles. Food. Store at least a 3-day supply offoods that require no refrigeration, preparation, or cooking (and little or no water). If you must heat food, go to a camping goods store for options that do not require electricity or natural gas. Good choices include ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits, and vegetables; canned juices, milk, and soup (if powdered, store extra water); staples, particularly sugar, salt, and pepper; high-energy foods such as peanut butter, granola bars, and trail mix; vitamin pills; special foods for infants, elderly persons, or persons on special diets; and “comfort foods” such as cookies, hard candy, sweetened cereals, lollipops, instant coffee, and tea. First aid kit. Assemble a first aid kit foryour home and one for each car. A first aid kit should include sterile adhesive bandages in assorted sizes, four to six 2inch sterile gauze pads, four to six 4-inch sterile gauze pads, hypoallergenic adhesive tape, three triangular bandages, three rolls of 2-inch sterile roller bandages, three rolls of 3-inch sterile roller bandages, scissors, tweezers, a needle, moist towelettes, antiseptic (cream and/or liquid), thermometer, two tongue depressors, a tube of petroleum jelly or other lubricant, assorted sizes of safety pins, cleansing agent and/or soap, a medicine dropper, two pairs of latex gloves, and sunscreen. Contact your local American Red Cross chapter to obtain a basic first aid manual. Nonprescription drugs. Over-the-counterdrugs that you might need in an emergency include aspirin or nonaspirin pain relievers, antidiarrhea medication, antacid for stomach upset, syrup of ipecac and activated charcoal (to use if advised by the Poison Control Center), and laxatives. Tools and supplies. Keep the items youwould most likely need during an evacuation in an easy-to-carry container, such as a large, covered trash container, camping backpack, or duffle bag. These emergency items include mess kits (or paper cups, plates, and plastic utensils), an emergency-preparedness manual, a batteryoperated radio with extra batteries, a flashlight with extra batteries, cash or traveler’s checks, change, a nonelectric can opener, a utility knife, a small canister fire extinguisher of the ABC type, a tube tent, pliers, tape, a compass, matches in a waterproof container, aluminum foil, plastic storage containers, a signal flare, paper and pencil, needles and thread, a shut-off wrench for turning off household gas and water, a whistle, plastic sheeting, and a map of the area for locating shelters. A map showing the precise location of local shelters may be available in advance from your local emergency-preparedness office. Sanitation. Have on hand an adequatesupply of toilet paper and/or towelettes, soap, liquid detergent, feminine supplies, personal hygiene items, plastic garbage bags with ties for personal sanitation uses, a plastic bucket with a tight lid, disinfectant, and chlorine bleach. Clothing and bedding. Have available atleast one complete change of clothing and footwear per person, preferably items that are easy to clean. Depending on your location, you may also need to include sturdy shoes or work boots, hats and gloves, coats and/or rain gear, thermal underwear, blankets or sleeping bags, and sunglasses. Special items. Remember family memberswith special needs, such as infants and elderly or disabled persons. For babies, store an adequate supply of formula, diapers, bottles, powdered milk, and medications. For older children and adults, remember essentials such as heart and high blood pressure medication, insulin and syringes, prescription drugs, denture needs, contact lenses and supplies, extra eyeglasses, and games and books for entertainment. Ask a physician or pharmacist about how to store prescription medications. Important documents. Keep theserecords in a waterproof, portable container: wills, insurance policies, contracts, deeds, stocks and bonds, passports, Social Security cards, immunization records, bank account numbers, credit card account numbers and companies, an inventory of valuable household goods, important telephone numbers, and family records (such as birth, marriage, and death certificates). This kit should be stored in a convenient place known to all family members, and a smaller version should be stowed in each car trunk. All items should be stored in air-tight plastic bags, and the stored water supply should be changed every 6 months so it stays fresh. Stored food should be rotated every 6 months, and the kit and family needs should be rethought at least once a year. Batteries should be replaced as needed, clothes should be updated as family members’ sizes change, and so on.