| |
|
|
| |
Getting Prepared for Disasters |
| |
History teaches that a lack of hurricane awareness and preparation are common threads among all major hurricane disasters. By knowing your vulnerability and what actions you should take, you can reduce the effects of a hurricane disaster.
Hurricane hazards come in many forms:
- storm surge,
- high winds,
- tornadoes, and
- flooding.
This means it is important for your family to have a plan that includes all of these hazards. Creating a disaster supply kit is an integral part of planning for disasters.
| Creating a Disaster Supply Kit |
 When a hurricane or other natural disaster strikes there is always the possibility of being without electricity or clean water for days or sometimes weeks.
Having a disaster or emergency supply kit is crucial. A disaster supply kit is a collection of basic items that members of a household may need in the event of a disaster.
FEMA recommends that every disaster supply kit should have 6 basics.
- Water
- Store at least 1 gallon of water per person per day for up to 2 weeks.
- "WaterSafe can help you meet that requirement."
- Food
- At least a 3-Day supply of ready-to-eat non-perishable food for each person
- Manual can opener for canned foods
- Select foods that require no refrigeration, preparation or cooking and little or no water. If you must heat food, pack a can of sterno.
- Select food items that are compact and lightweight. Avoid foods that will make you thirsty.
- Choose salt-free crackers, whole grain cereals, and canned foods with high liquid content.
- First Aid Supplies
- Essential medicines including:
- Eyeglasses and contact lenses
- 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 nonaspirin 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)
- Clothing, Bedding and Sanitation Supplies
- Include at least 1 change of clothes and shoes per person
- Jacket or coat
- Long pants
- Long sleeve shirt
- Sturdy shoes or work boots
- Hat, gloves and scarf
- Rain gear
- Thermal underwear
- Blankets or sleeping bags
- Sunglasses
- Sanitation
- Toilet paper
- Soap, liquid detergent
- Feminine supplies
- Personal hygiene items
- Plastic garbage bags, ties (for personal sanitation uses)
- Plastic bucket with tight lid
- Disinfectant
- Household chlorine bleach
- Tools
- Mess kits, or paper cups, plates and plastic utensils
- 2 coolers - one for food and one for ice
- Emergency preparedness manual
- Portable, battery-operated radio or television and extra batteries
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- Cash or traveler's checks, change
- Nonelectric 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 the area (for locating shelters)
- Special Items
- For Baby
- Formula
- Diapers
- Bottles
- Pacifiers
- Powdered milk
- Medications
- For Adults
- Heart and high blood pressure medication
- Insulin
- Prescription drugs
- Denture needs
- Contact lenses and supplies
- Extra eye glasses
- Hearing aid batteries
- Important Family Documents
- Keep these records in a waterproof, portable container.
- 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
- Family records (birth, marriage, death certificates)
- Photocopies of credit and identification cards
- Cash and coins
- Entertainment--games and books
(Source: www.fema.gov) |
| |
| Your Emergency Water Supply |
In an emergency, having a supply of clean water is a top priority, for drinking, food preparation and hygiene.
- Store at least 1 gallon of water per day for each member of your family (including pets) for up to two weeks.
In an emergency, drink at least two quarts of water a day, 3-4 quarts a day if you are in a hot climate, pregnant, sick or a child. If supplies run low, never ration water. Drink the amount you need today and look for more tomorrow.
How and Where to Store Water
- In a cool, dark place in your home, each vehicle and your workplace.
- Preferably, in store-bought containers.
- Alternately, in food-grade quality containers (such as WaterSafe) made for storing water and available from sporting goods and surplus stores and other retailers.
Avoid using
- Store-bought water past the expiration or "use by" date on the container.
- Containers that can't be sealed tightly.
- Containers that can break, such as glass bottles.
- Containers that have ever held any toxic substance.
- Plastic milk bottles and cartons. They are difficult to clean and break down over time.
Do
- Change stored water every six months.
(Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) |
|
|
|
 |
 |
QUALITY - Made of FDA approved, food grade materials |
|
SAFE - Protect water from bacteria, dust, bugs, animals, and other contamination. |
|
COMPACT - Stores on a shelf and expands to fit in a bathtub or sink or can stand alone |
|
AFFORDABLE - Costs less than most water storage devices. |
|
SUSTAINS LIFE - Have up to 65 gallons of clean water for drinking, bathing, cleaning and flushing. |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
