| Storm supplies kit:
You and your family can 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).
Gather the supplies that are listed. You
and your family may need them. Place the supplies you'd most likely need
for an evacuation in an easy-to-carry container. These supplies are listed
with an asterisk (*).
WATER
Store water in plastic containers such as
soft drink bottles. Avoid using containers that will decompose or break,
such as milk cartons or glass bottles. A normally active person needs to
drink at least two quarts of water each day. Hot environments and intense
physical activity can double that amount. Children, nursing mothers and
ill people will need more.
Store one gallon of water per person per
day (two quarts for drinking, two quarts for food preparation/sanitation)
*
Keep at least a three-day supply of water
for each person in your household.
FOOD
Store at least a three-day supply of
non-perishable food. 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.
*Include a selection of the following foods in your Disaster Supplies Kit:
- 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, granola bars, trail mix
- Vitamins
- Foods for infants, elderly persons or
persons on special diets
- Comfort/stress foods: cookies, hard
candy, sweetened cereals, lollipops, instant coffee, tea bags
FIRST AID KIT
Assemble a first aid kit for your home and
one for each car. A first aid kit* should include:
- 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 non-aspirin 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)
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