Disaster Supplies
What You Should Keep On Hand
Every Family is different, so what you have in your Disaster Supplies,
Emergency Kits and First Aid Kits will vary.
Why should you purchase a kit now, when you can make your own?
We all procrastinate about Disasters and Emergencies.
We don't think it will happen to us.
We don't think something will happen soon.
We can't afford to get Disaster Ready right now.
We don't have the time to go to different places to get supplies.
► Save Time
Disasters and Emergencies don't wait for us.
Start by getting ready made Emergency Kits and First Aid Kits now.
We have done the work for you by putting together several types of Emergency Kits and First Aid Kits.
With a few clicks of your mouse, you can be Disaster Ready.
► Save Money
Our Kits are priced for wholesale, not retail.
You also save money on gas by not driving around to different stores collecting products.
Every member in the household should be prepared and have something at home, at work, at school,
and in the car.
Once you get the basics from us, you can add to your supplies every month.
You can come back for more Kits, and also add your own personal touches to suite your individual needs.
The Basics
Emergency Kits and First Aid Kits for each family member
(Remember your pets).
♦ Take a CPR and First Aid class. Keep your certification current.
♦ Keep a copy of important papers in your Disaster Supplies.
You should include a copy of your homeowners or renters insurance,
a copy of everyone's driver's license or identification, passports,
currents pictures of the family members, including pets.
These should be individual pictures.
This helps to identify individuals should you be separated at any point.
Also keep a list of important telephone numbers, such as family doctors,
your insurance agent, your out of state contacts, your utility companies,
credit card companies and your bank.
Keep account numbers in the important papers also.
Consider getting a fireproof lock box for these.
Keep a copy of all your papers in a safe deposit box at your bank,
and also send a copy to your out of state contact.
♦ For your children, have them keep pictures of the family and telephone numbers
to reach the family and your out of state contact.
♦ For your pets, keep a copy of their current medical records and immunization records,
as well as their microchip information.
♦ Food and Water for at least 3 days (72 hours).
Food should be nonperishable.
Examples:
protein bars, bottled juices, canned good that do not need cooking, such as canned fruit
(you can also drink the juice), peanut butter, canned meats such as tuna or ham.
♦ Remember the hand operated can opener!
♦ Try and stay away from salty foods that make you thirsty.
♦ Have 1 gallon of water per person per day.
♦ Toothbrush and toothpaste.
♦ Flashlights and Batteries
♦ Portable Television or Portable Radio and Batteries
♦ A whistle for each family member
♦ Sturdy walking shoes and socks
♦ A change of clothes and a jacket.
♦ A pad of paper and pen or pencil.
♦ Always have some cash in small bills ($1. or $5. work best) and some coins.
♦ If you need to call 9-1-1 from a pay phone, there is no charge.
Expanded Needs
♦ If anyone in the household had a serious medical condition, or medical equipment that requires electricity, discuss alternatives with your doctor.
For equipment such as a motorized wheelchair, consider an extra battery or
a manual chair. If someone has medication that needs refrigeration, discuss
with your doctor how to store it in a cooler, how long it will keep, or if there is
an alternate medication.
♦ If anyone takes prescription medications, tell your doctor you would like an extra supply
to keep in your Disaster or Emergency Kit.
Together you can decide how much of an extra supply you need.
At least one week is good, two weeks is better.
Remember to "rotate out" the medicines if there is an expiration date.
♦ If anyone takes over the counter medication, get an extra package
(or packages) the next time you buy your product.
You can also get extra vitamins to have with you.
♦ An extra pair of prescription glasses.
♦ An extra pair of dentures or hearing aid and batteries
♦ If you have children or babies, have their food, diapers,
and whatever else you use on a regular basis.
Additional Supplies
♦ A tent for the family.
♦ Sleeping bags and pillows.
♦ Extra changes of clothing.
♦ Heavy work gloves.
♦ Face masks or bandannas.
♦ A bucket or two and some kitchen sized garbage bags can serve as a toilet.
♦ Toilet paper.
♦ Baby wipes in the tub, and extra refill packages.
Supplies for your Pets
Keep an extra set of bowls, one for food and one for water.
Keep an extra leash for your dog(s) but also for your cat(s).
Train your cats to be in a harness or on a leash.
Pets can stress out in a Disaster or Emergency situation.
They can become scared and run away.
Having a crate is a wonderful security for them, however they will need to get out
and walk around and "hang out" with the family.
Do not let them loose.
Have an old blanket or sheet, something for your pet's bed.
Keep Your Supplies Together
♦ For your Home Family Disaster Supplies, keep them together in a large tub or bin.
Keep them somewhere you can easily reach them.
If they are scattered around the house or in the basement, and you cannot enter your house,
your supplies are not helpful.
Keep them in a shed outside or close to the garage door.
You want them assessable when you need them.
♦ Also keep a Disaster or Emergency Kit and First Aid Kit in your car.
If a Disaster happens while you are out, and not able to travel,
your kit(s) and supplies will help you Shelter in Place, until help arrives or you can travel.
If you leave your car, do so in daylight only.
Leave a note in your car to let local law enforcement know where you are going, and if possible, by what route.
Make sure to have some sturdy walking shoes.
♦ Have a kit(s) at work, close to your desk or work space.
You may not be able to get to your car for your supplies.
Your employer may not be Disaster Ready.
(Make sure to Discuss your Disaster Plan with your company. Help get them Disaster Ready!)
♦ Keep a kit(s) at school in your locker.
If you have school age children, discuss the Disaster Plan the school has.
Find out what will be done should a Disaster or Emergency take place during school hours,
when you may not be able to get to your children.
What Else do I put in my Disaster Supplies or
Emergency Kit?
♦ When something happens, we need to be prepared to be on our own
for 3 to 5 to 7 days if not longer.
Once you have met your Immediate Disaster Related Needs,
you can think about adding to your supplies.
♦ Practice your Shelter in Place plan for a Chemical emergency
and secure yourselves in the house for a day.
What other items could come in handy?
You may want to add a deck of cards, a board game, a book or coloring book
with crayons for the children.
♦ Practice your Shelter in Place plan if you had to "camp out" for a day.
In addition to the tent, you may want to add some folding chairs.
You may want to add a canopy for shade.
You might include an umbrella or rain ponchos.
♦ As you practice your plan, write down what other items would come in handy
for your ability to be self-sufficient for a period of time.
Practice your plan at least twice a year.
This will give you an idea on what you need in different seasons.
Keep your Disaster Supplies up to date and relevant.
♦ Do not use your supplies for any other purpose.
Keep them strictly for a Disaster or Emergency.
Once you have used them, make sure to replenish them.
Take inventory twice a year.
This will refresh your memory about what you have, what you want to add,
and what needs changing out, such as seasonal clothing.
♦ We are all creatures of comfort and would like to live as we normally do.
As you are putting together your list, consider if that "thing" is actually necessary.
Keep in mind how much space you have to store your Disaster Supplies.
Be realistic.