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It's never
too early to
prepare! Disasters seldom give warning and are often devastating to their
victims.
Prepare yourself
for a minimum of 3 days. Due to overwhelming need or no
road access, emergency services may not be available for up
to 72 hours after a major disaster.
Storing
Emergency Supplies
- Choose
a location, such as a closet or "safety corner" in the
garage, where it is cool and dark If you live in an apartment
or have limited space, be innovative Other possible storage
locations include under the bed, under stairways, or even
in a large box or plastic tub that can be covered with a
tablecloth and used as an end table.
- Layer supplies as
shown, and keep them together in a container such as a plastic
garbage can with wheels Check every 6 months for food expiration
dates, children's clothing sizes, etc.
- Start with
what you already have. If you're a camper or backpacker,
you've got a head start Your tent, cook stove, and other
gear can double as emergency supplies.
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Being
prepared is another form of insurance
FOOD:
- Use canned
foods for easy storage and long shelf life. Choose ready-to-eat
canned meat, fruits and vegetables that your family likes [During
a disaster is not the time to try new menu items - you're under
enough stress!] Keep food fresh by checking dates and replacing
it every year.
- Also recommended
are canned or dried juice mixes, powdered or canned milk, high
energy food [peanut butter, jelly, crackers, unsalted nuts,
and trail mix], cereals, and rice.
- Store foods
in single- or family meal-size packaging - unrefridgerated
leftovers can lead to food poisoning.
- Don't forget
your pets! Store canned and dry pet food along with an extra
collar and leash. Pets are not allowed in most shelters. If
evacuated, you may have to leave them behind with extra food.
- Add a manual
can opener, cooking and eating utensils, and basic food seasonings.
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WATER:
- Store a three
day supply of water for each family member. One gallon per
person per day is recommended for drinking, cooking, and washing.
Remember to include water for your pets. Write the date on
the water containers and replace them every six months.
- Learn how
to remove the water from your hot water heater just in case
you need it. Be sure to turn off the gas or electricity to
the tank before draining off water for emergency use.
- Purify water
by boiling it for 5 to 10 minutes or by adding drops of household
bleach containing 525% hypochlorite. The Federal Emergency
Management Agency [FEMA] recommends 16 drops of bleach per
gallon of water. Water purification tablets or a filter system
such as those designed for campers and backpackers also work.
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OTHER ITEMS:
- First aid kit
- Blankets
- Battery-powered clock
- Candles
- Flashlights
- Battery-powered radio
- Extra batteries
- Matches
- Money
- List of insurance policy numbers
- Fire extinguisher
- Trash bags
- Medications
- Copy of prescriptions
- Extra eye glasses
- Hearing aid batteries
- Cook stove with fuel
- Heavy gloves
- Duct tape
- Sturdy shoes for each family member
- Ax, shovel, broom
- Pliers, wrench, pry bar'
- Household bleach
- Map of area [for identifying evacuation routes or shelter
locations]
- Diapers, baby formula
- Vaccination records
- Hygiene products
- Warm set of clothes for each family member
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GET YOUR NEIGHBORS INVOLVED:
- Working through
your Neighborhood Watch Program or homeowners' association,
arrange to share expensive equipment items such as chain saws,
generators, and 4-wheel drive vehicles [If the Neighborhood
Watch Program isn't active in your neighborhood, rally your
neighbors to start one.]
- Start a "buddy
squad" to check on elderly or disabled neighbors during and
after disasters such as extended power outages or winter storms.
Also check on children who may be home alone.
- Turn your
organizing efforts into a neighborhood social event, such as
a block party [Draw them in with food, then make your presentation!]
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