Develop A Plan To Help Your Family Cope With An Emergency
As part of a continuing series of articles intended to keep you and your family informed in the event of an emergency or disaster, the latest issue of News & Views offers some guidelines in building an emergency/first aid kit. A disaster or emergency could cause a disruption in usual services such as water, electricity, and telephones. Grocery stores could be closed or out of supplies so it is important to create a kit that allows you to be self-sufficient for at least three days.
Once you have put your kit together, remember to store it in an accessible location in your home and be sure that everyone in the household knows where it is kept. Keep the kit contents in a watertight container that can be easily moved. And, since a disaster or emergency can occur when you are away from home, consider duplicating the kit to keep in your car, as well.
Emergency Supply Kit
Your basic emergency supply kit should include:
• Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days
• Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food. Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits and vegetables, protein bars, dry cereal or granola, dried fruit, canned juices, high energy food, and nuts are best to pack. Don’t forget a manual can opener.
• Hand crank or battery-powered radio and extra batteries
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Dust mask or cotton t-shirt, to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
• Hammer, wrench, and pliers
• Sleeping bags or blankets
• Complete change of clothes for warm and cold weather.
• Personal hygiene items
• Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper – When diluted nine parts water to one part bleach, bleach can be used as a disinfectant.
• Fire Extinguisher
• Matches in a waterproof container
• Cash, credit cards, emergency contact numbers, local maps, and copies of important documents such as IDs, health records, insurance cards, and social security cards.
First Aid Kit
In an emergency, you or a family member may be cut, burned, or suffer some type of injury. When the injury is not life-threatening or does not require immediate medical attention, a first aid kit can better prepare you to help and treat those you love. Consider also taking a first aid class.
Your First Aid Kit should include:
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Disposable gloves
• Sterile dressings and medical tape
• Cleansing agent/soap and antibiotic towelettes
• Antibiotic and burn ointment
• Adhesive bandages in a variety of sizes
• Eye wash solution
• Scissors and tweezers
• Thermometer
• Over-the-counter medicines such as pain relievers and anti-diarrhea medication
Special Needs
Every family is unique and your family may have special needs. Think about what additional items your family may need to pack in your emergency supply kit.
Special needs to consider:
• Prescription medications you take every day such as insulin, heart medicine and asthma inhalers. Talk to your physician about storing an extra supply in case of an emergency. Remember to rotate medicines to account for expiration dates.
• Denture needs
• Contact lenses and supplies
• Extra eye glasses
If you have a baby:
• Formula or powered milk
• Food for infants
• Diapers, baby wipes, and diaper rash ointment
• Bottles
If you have a pet:
• Pet food
• Additional water
• Special pet medications if needed
• Leashes and Carriers
• Information on feeding schedule, medical conditions, a copy of immunization records, and the name and number to your veterinarian in case you need to board you pet.
If you are interested in more information about emergency planning and to obtain an emergency supply checklist visit Ready America online at www.ready.gov. An emergency or disaster could strike at anytime. Take the steps today to protect your family.
—Patricia Kulikauskas
Emergency Response





