HURRICANE * FLASH FLOOD * HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SPILLS

Your

Family Disaster Supplies Kit

EARTHQUAKE * TORNADO * WINTER STORM * FIRE

Disasters happen anytime and any-
where. And when disaster strikes,you
may not have much time to respond.

A highway spill of hazardous material
could mean instant evacuation.

A winter storm could confine your
family at home. An earthquake, flood,
tornado or any other disaster could
cut off basic services -- gas, water,
electricity and telephones -- for days

After a disaster, local officials and relief workers will be on the scene, but they cannot reach everyone immediately. You could get help in hours, or it may take days. Would your family be prepared to cope with the emergency until help arrives?

Your family will cope best by preparing for disaster before it strikes. One way to prepare is by assembling a Disaster Supplies Kit. Once disaster hits, you won't have time to shop or search for supplies. But if you've gathered supplies in advance, your family can endure an evacua-
tion or home confinement.

To prepare your Kit

		Review the checklist on this page.
		Gather supplies that are listed. You may need them if your family is confined at home
		Place the supplies you'd most likely need in an evacuation in an easy-to-carry container. Theses supplies are listed with an asterisk (*).

SUPPLIES

There are six basics
you should stock in
your home: water,
food, first aid supplies,
clothing and bedding,
tools and emergency sup-
plies and special items.
Keep the items that you
would most likely need
during an evacuation in an
easy-to-carry container ---
suggested items are
marked with an asterisk(*).

Possible containers include

		a large, covered trash container,
		a camping backpack,
		or a duffel bag.

Water

Store some 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 (2) quarts of water each day. Hot environments and intense physical activity can double that amount. Children, nursing mothers and ill people will need more

Store one gallon of water per person
per day (two quarts for drinking, two
quarts for food preparation/sanitation)*

Keep at least a three-day supply of
water for each person in your
household

Food

Store at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food. Select food that require no refrigeration, preparation or cocking and little or no water. If you must heat food, pack a can of sterno. Select food items that are compact and lightweight.
*Include a selection of the following foods in your Disaster Supplies Kit:

Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits
and vegetables

Canned juices, milk, soup
(If powdered, store extra water)

Staples -- sugar, salt, pepper

High energy foods -- peanut butter,
jelly, crackers, granola bars, trail mix

Vitamins

Foods for infants, elderly persons or
persons on special diets

Comfort/stress foods -- cookies,
hard candy, sweetened cereals,
lollipops, instant coffee, tea bags

First Aid Kit

Assemble a first aid kit for your home and one for your car. A first aid kit* should include:

Sterile adhesive bandages in assorted
sizes
2-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6)
4-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6)
Hypoallergenic adhesive tape
Triangular bandages (3)
2-inch sterile roller bandages (3 rolls)
3-inch sterile roller bandages (3 rolls)
Scissors
Tweezers
Needle
Moistened towelettes
Antiseptic
Thermometer
Tongue blades (2)
Tube of petroleum jelly or other
lubricant

Assorted sizes of safety pins
Cleansing agent/soap
Latex gloves (2 pair)
Sunscreen

Non-prescription drugs

Aspirin or nonasprin pain reliever
Anti-diarrhea medication
Antacid (for stomach upset)
Syrup of Ipecac (use to induce
vomiting if advised by the Poison
Control Center)
Laxative

Activated charcoal (use if advised by
the Poison Control Center)

Tools and Supplies

Mess kits, or paper cups, plates and
     plastic utensils*
Emergency preparedness manual*
Battery operated radio and extra
      batteries*
Flashlight and extra batteries*
Cash or traveler's checks, change*
Non-electric can opener, utility knife*
Fire extinguisher: small canister,
      ABC type
Tube tent
Pliers
Tape
Compass
Matches in a waterproof container
Aluminum foil
Plastic storage containers
Signal flare
Paper,pencil

Needles, thread
Medicine dropper
Shut-off wrench, to turn off
household gas and water
Whistle
Plastic sheeting
Map of area (for locating
shelters)

SUGGESTIONS AND REMINDERS

		Store your kit in a convent 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 medication

Clothing and Bedding

*Include at least one complete change of clothing and footwear per person.

Sturdy shoes or work boots*
Rain gear*
Blankets or sleeping bags*

Hat and gloves
Thermal underwear
Sunglasses

Special Items

Remember family members with special needs, such as infants and elderly or
disabled persons.

For Baby*
Formula
Diapers
Bottles
Powdered milk
Medications

For Adults*

Heart and high blood pressure
medication
Insulin
Prescription drugs
Denture needs
Contact lenses and supplies
Extra eye glasses

Entertainment - - games and
books

Important Family Documents
Keep these records in a waterproof,
portable container.

		Will, insurance policies, contracts, deeds, stocks and bonds
		Passports, social security cards, immunizations records
		Bank account numbers
		Credit card account numbers and companies
		Inventory of valuable household goods, important telephone numbers
		Family records (birth, marriage, death certificates)

CREATE A FAMILY DISASTER PLAN

To get started. . .

Contact your local
emergency management or
civil defense office and your
local American Red Cross
chapter.

		Find out which disasters are most likely to happen in your community.
		Ask how your would be warned.
		Find out how to prepare for each.

Meet with your family.

		Discuss the types of disasters that could occur.
		Explain how to prepare and respond
		Discuss what to do if advised to evacuate.
		Practice what you have discussed.

Plan how your family will
stay in contact if separated
by disaster

		Pick two meeting places: 1) a location a safe distance from your home in case of fire. 2) a place outside your neighbor- hood in case your can't return home.
		Choose an out-of-state friend as a "check-in" contact for everyone to call

Complete these steps.

		Post emergency telephone numbers by every phone
		Show responsible family members how and when to shut off water, gas an electricity at main switches.

		Install a smoke detector on each level of your home, especially near bedrooms; test monthly and change the batteries two times each year.
		Contact your local fire department to learn about home fire hazards.
		Learn first aid and CPR. Contact your local American Red Cross for information and training.

Meet with your neighbors.
Plan how the neighborhood could work together after a disaster. Know your neighbors' skills (medical,technical).
Consider how you could help neighbors who have special needs, such as elderly or disabled persons. Make plans for child care in case parents can't get home.

Remember to practice and maintain your plan.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency's Family Protection Program and the American Red Cross Disaster Education Program are nationwide efforts to help people prepare for disasters of all types. For more information, please contact your local or State Office of Emergency Management and your local American Red Cross chapter. Ask for "Your Family Disaster Plan" and the "Emergency Preparedness Checklist".
Or write to:
FEMA
P.O. Box 70274
Washington, D.C. 20024

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