Hurricane - Flash Flood - Hazardous Materials Spills - Earthquake - Tornado - Winter Storm - Fire
Your
Family Disaster Supplies Kit
Disasters happen anytime and anywhere. 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 telephone - 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 could 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 evacuation or home confinement.
To prepare your kit
  • Review the checklist in this brochure.
  • Gather the supplies that are listed. You may need them if your family is confined at home.
  • Place the supplies you would most likely need for an evacuation in an easy-to-carry container. These supplies are listed with an asterick (*).
Supplies


There are six basics you should stock in your home: water, food, first aid, clothing and bedding, tools, and emergency supplies 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 asterick(*). Possible containers include:


a large covered
trash container,


camping backpack,

or a duffle bag.
Water
Water should be stored should be stored in plastic containers such as soft drink bottles. Avoid using containers that will decompose or break, such as mason jars or glass bottles. Never ration water. Drink the amount that you need for today, and try to find more for tomorrow.
Store one gallon of water per person per day (two quarts for drinking, two quarts for food preparation/sanitation)*
Purifying agents
Food
Store at least a three day supply of non-pershable food. Select foods that require no refrigeration, cooking or preparation. 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
Smoked or dried meats such as beef jerky
Juices - canned, powdered or crystallized
Soups - bouillon cubes or dried "soups in a cup"
Milk - powdered or canned
Staples - sugar, salt, pepper
High energy foods - peanut butter, jelly, crackers, nuts, health food bars , trail mix
Stress foods - sugar cookies, hard candy, sweetened cereals
Vitamins
First Aid Kit
You should have two first ait kits - one for your home, the other for your car, if you have one. An emergency first aid kit should include:
Sterile adhesive bandages in assorted sizes*
2-inch sterile gauze pads
(8-12)*
3-inch sterile gauze pads
(8-12)*
Hypoallergenic adhesive tape*
Triangular bandages (3)*
2-inch sterile roller bandages (3 rolls)*
3-inch sterile roller bandages (3 rolls)*
Scissors*
Tweezers*
Needle*
Safety razor blade*
Bar of soap*
Moistened towelettes
(8-10 individual packages)*
Antiseptic spray*
Thermometer
Tongue blades and wooden applicator sticks
Tube of petroleum jelly or other lubricant
Assorted sizes of safety pins
Cleansing agent - soap
Latex gloves
Non-Prescription Drugs
Aspirin or non-aspirin pain reliever
Anti-diarrhea medication
Antacid (for stomach upset)
Emetic (use to induce vomiting if advised by the Poison Control Center)
Laxative
Eye wash
Rubbing alcohol
Antiseptic or hydrogen peroxide
Activated charcoal (use if advised by the Poison Control Center)
Contact your local American Red Cross chapter to obtain a basic first aid manual.
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 three 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.
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 traveller'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
Sanitation
Toilet paper, towelettes*
Soap, liquid detergent*
Feminine supplies*
Personal hygiene items*
Plastic garbage bags, ties
Small shovel, for digging an expedient latrine
Plastic bucket with tight lid
Disinfectant
Household chlorine bleach
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, elderly, or disabled individuals.
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 for children, books for adults.
Important Family Documents
Keep these records in a waterproof, portable container.
  • Will, insurance policies, contracts, deeds, stock and bonds
  • 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)
Family Disaster Preparedness Plan

In addition to assembling your Disaster Supplies Kit, review this checklist of basic steps to prepare for emergency. Discuss with your family how to prepare for disaster. make sure you have follow-up discussions to remind family members about your emergency plans.

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

Make emergency plans.
  • Decide on a place for family members to meet if you are separated by disaster and cannot return home.
  • In case of sudden emergency, like a fire, select a second meeting place right outside your home.
  • Establish an out-of-state friend to act as a contact point for separated family members. Sometimes, it's easier to place an out of state call than to call locally during a disaster.
  • Post emergency numbers by telephones.
  • Plan an orderly evacuation of your home. In case of disaster, local authorities may advise you to evacuate - you'll need to follow their instructions.
  • If you were advised to evacuate, post a note telling others when you left, your destination, the medical condition of your family members and whether all family members are accounted for.
Check your home.
  • Show each family member how to turn off water, gas and electricity. Discuss when it is appropriate to do this.
  • Eliminate fire hazards in your home. Secure objects that could cause injury during disaster.
  • Install smoke detectors on each level of your home: check batteries once a month and change them once a year. Make sure everyone knows where the fire extinguisher is and how to use it.
Be prepared to help others.
  • Learn first aid and CPR. Contact your local Red Cross chapter for information and training.
  • Consider neighbors who may need assistance. Remember that individuals with special needs, such as infants, disabled persons or elderly persons may depend on your help.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the American Red Cross are pleased to provide you with this brochure. FEMA's Civil Defense Family Protection Program and the American Red Cross' Disaster Education Program are nationwide efforts to increase the ability of citizens to respond quickly efficiently to disasters and emergencies of all types. For more information, please contract your local emergency management or civil defense office, and your local American Red Cross Chapter.

Write to FEMA, ask for "Are You ready?"
P.O. Box 70274
Washington, DC 20024