All families should have a disaster supplies kit. Disasters can happen without warning giving us no time to gather the supplies we may need in order to survive. It's important to prepare now and gather enough supplies for three days for each person in your family. Below are the American Red Cross recommendations for a disaster supplies kit.
Collect the items and below and store in a sturdy airtight disaster supply kit container.
Your Disaster Supply Kit
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Water
- Have one gallon of water per person per day (2 quarts for drinking and 2 quart for cooking). If you don't have the storage available purchase collapsible water containers and fill when they are needed.
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Food
- Store non-perishable foods- canned meats, vegetables, and fruits.
- Store canned juices, milk or soup
- Sugar, salt, pepper
- Energy foods- peanut butter, jelly, crackers, granola bars, trail mix
- Vitamins
- Infant, elderly or special diet foods
- Comfort food- cookies, candy, cereal, lollipops, instant coffee, instant tea
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First Aid Kit
Have one kit for your home and one your car. There are many pre-made kits available but these kits can be expensive. It would be more cost effective to build your own kits and place them in a good sturdy bag. Below is a list for building your own kit.
- Sterile adhesive bandages (assorted sizes)
- 2" sterile gauze pads (4-6)
- 4" sterile gauze pads (4-6)
- Hypo allergenic adhesive tape
- Triangular bandages (3)
- 2" sterile roller bandage (3 rolls)
- 3" sterile roller bandage (3 rolls)
- Scissors
- Tweezers
- Needle
- Moistened towelettes
- Antiseptic
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- Tongue Blades (2)
- Petroleum Jelly
- Thermometer
- Safety pins assorted sizes
- Cleansing agent/soap
- Sunscreen
- Aspirin/non-aspirin pain reliever
- Anti-diarrhea medicine
- Antacid
- Laxative
- Activated charcoal
- First-aid book
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Tools and Supplies
- Disposable eating utensils
- Emergency Preparedness Manual
- Battery operated radio & batteries
- Flashlight & batteries
- Cash or travelers checks, change
- Non-electric can opener, utility knife
- Fire extinguisher (ABC type)
- Tent
- Pliers
- Tape
- Compass
- Matches in a waterproof container
- Aluminum foil
- Plastic storage containers
- Signal flare
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- Paper, pencil
- Needles, thread
- Medicine dropper
- Wrench to turn off utilities
- Whistle
- Plastic sheeting
- Map of area
- Toilet paper, towelettes
- Soap, liquid detergent
- Feminine supplies
- personal hygiene products
- Plastic garbage bags
- Plastic bucket & lid
- Disinfectant
- Household chlorine bleach
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Clothing and Bedding
Include at least one complete change of cloths per person.
- Sturdy shoes or work boots
- Rain gear
- Blankets or sleeping bags
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- Hat and gloves
- Thermal underwear
- Sunglasses
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Special Items
Remember family members with special needs, such as infants and elderly or disabled persons.
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Baby
- Formula
- Diapers
- Bottles
- Powered milk
- Medications
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Adults
- Heart or high blood pressure medication
- Insulin
- Prescription drugs
- Denture needs
- Contact lenses and supplies
- Extra eye glasses
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| Pets
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Entertainment
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Important Documents
- Wills, insurance, contracts, deeds, stocks, and bonds
- Passports, social security cards, immunization records
- Bank account numbers
- Credit account card numbers and company contact numbers
- Inventory of valuable household goods, important telephone numbers
- Family records (birth, marriage, death certificates)
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SUGGESTIONS AND REMINDERS
- Store your kit in a convenient place known to all family members. Keep a smaller version of the Disaster Supplies Kit in the trunk of your car.
- Keep items in air-tight plastic bags.
- Change your stored water supply every six months so it stays fresh. Rotate your stored food every six months.
- 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.
