Being prepared

Being prepared for a natural disaster may not seem to be a priority; however, a disaster can strike at a moment’s notice. During a disaster you and your family members may not have electrical power or running water for up to three days. Relief workers will be on scene but may not be able to access everyone immediately. Having a well stocked Disaster Supply Kit is a great way to insure you and your love ones have the necessities required while waiting for assistance. Better to be prepared than caught off guard.




Some items your Disaster Supply Kit should have are as follows:



WaterIt is recommended that you use commercially purchased bottled water that will only be opened as required. Have at least a three-day supply of water and you should store one gallon of water per person per day. Keep in mind a normal, healthy adult requires approximately one half gallon of water daily.

Food
Store a minimum of a three day supply of non-perishable food. Choose foods that require little or no refrigeration, preparation or cooking and little or no water. Make sure to avoid foods that will make you thirsty or are high in salt as this will increase your water intake. High energy foods such as peanut butter, jelly, crackers, granola bars and trail mix will go a long way.

First Aid
People in your home may have been injured so it is always best to have a first aid kit ready. In fact, have two kits prepared – one for your Disaster Kit and one in your car. At any point you may need to travel.



FEMA.gov recommends the following items be in your first aid kit:

• 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

Clothing / Bedding
If you are living in a climate where temperatures drop then coats, sweaters and heavy bedding are required. Include one change of clothing for every person in your home.

Special Needs
Remember to have your special needs items packed in your kit if you have an infant child, elderly or disabled person living in your home.

Those items may include:
• Formula
• Diapers
• Bottles
• Medications

Important Documents
Gather copies of all of your family’s important personal documents and place them in a waterproof lock box. This lock box should be place with your disaster kit.

Your documents should include:
• Will, insurance policies, contracts, deeds, stocks and bonds
• Photo IDs, passports, social security cards, immunization records
• Bank account numbers
• Credit card account numbers and companies
• Inventory of valuable household goods, important telephone numbers



Remember, we all face the risk of being the victim of a large scale disaster and a little bit of preparation beforehand will go a long way in easing the stress.



For a comprehensive list on planning and preparing for disaster, please go to FEMA’s – Prepare For A Disaster web page by clicking here http://www.fema.gov/plan