Disaster Supplies Kit

Store at least a three-day supply of no-perishable food.

Choose foods that require no refrigeration, cooking, or preparation and are compact and lightweight. If food must be cooked, include a can of sterno.

Food suggestions:

• 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, nuts, health food bars, trail mix. 
• Comfort stress foods-cookies, hard candy, sweetened cereals. 
• Vitamins 
• Containers

Store the supplies in an easy-to-carry object such as a large,covered trash container, camping backpack, or a duffle bag.

Have two first aid kits.

Keep a complete first aid kit in your home and car.

Items to include:

• Sterile adhesive bandages in assorted sizes 
• 2-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6)
• 4-inch gauze pads
• Hypoallergenic adhesive tape 
• Triangular bandages (3)
• 2-inch sterile roller bandages (3 rolls) 
• 3-inch sterile roller bandages 
• Scissors 
• Tweezers 
• Needles
• 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
• Aspirin or non-aspirin pain reliever
• Anti-diarrhea medication
• Antacid (for upset stomach)
• 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)

Contact your local American Red Cross chapter to obtain a basic first aid textbook.

• Emergency preparedness manual 
• Battery-operated radio and extra batteries
• Non-electric can opener, utility knife
• Fire extinguisher, small canister, A-B-C type
• Tube tent
• Pliers
• Tape
• Compass
• Matches in a waterproof container.
• Aluminum foil
• Signal flares
• Paper and pencils
• Needles and thread
• Medicine dropper
• Shut off wrench, to turn off household gas and water.
• Whistle
• Plastic sheeting

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

• Sturdy shoes or work boots 
• Rain gear
• One blanket or sleeping bag per person. 
• Hat and gloves 
• Thermal underwear
• Sunglasses

• Toilet paper, towelettes 
• Soap, liquid detergent
• Feminine supplies
• Personal items-shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, comb and brush, lip balm.
• Small shovel, for digging and expedient latrine
• Plastic garbage bag and ties
• Plastic bucket with tight lid 
• Disinfectant
• Household chlorine bleach

Include items for household members with special needs, such as infants, elderly, or disabled individuals.

• Babies 
• Formula 
• Diapers
• Bottles
• Powdered Milk
• Medications

For the Elderly:

• Heart and high blood pressure medications
• Insulin 
• Prescription drugs
• Denture needs

Include Favorite Entertainment Items

• Coloring books and crayons
• Games 
• Books

Keep these records in a waterproof container.

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