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Disaster Kit
Build your family Disaster Kit
Make building your kit a little easier
with a starter kit from the Northwest Arkansas Chapter. There are six
basics you should stock for your home: water, food, first aid supplies,
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 asterisk (*).
Possible containers include a large, covered trash container, a camping
backpack or a duffle bag.
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.
- Keep at least a three-day supply of water
per person (two quarts for drinking, two quarts for each person in
your household for food preparation/sanitation).*
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; staples (salt, sugar, pepper, spices,
etc.); high energy foods; vitamins; food for infants and Comfort
foods.
First Aid Kit
Assemble a first aid kit for your home and one for each car.
- Sterile adhesive bandages in assorted sizes
- Assorted sizes of safety pins
- Cleansing agent/soap
- Latex gloves (2 pairs)
- Sunscreen
- 2-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6)
- 4-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6)
- Triangular bandages (3)
- Non-prescription drugs
- 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
Non-Prescription Drugs
- Aspirin or nonaspirin 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 )
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 traveler'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
- Map of the area (for locating shelters)
Sanitation
- Toilet paper, towelettes*
- Soap, liquid detergent*
- Feminine supplies*
- Personal hygiene items*
- Plastic garbage bags, ties (for personal
sanitation uses)
- 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
requirements, such as infants and elderly or disabled persons
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
Important Family Documents
- Keep these records in a waterproof, portable
container:
- Will, insurance policies, contracts deeds,
stocks 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)
- Store your kit in a convenient place known
to all family members. Keep a smaller version of the supplies kit in
the trunk of your car.
- Keep items in airtight plastic bags. Change
your stored water supply every six months so it stays fresh. Replace
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.
General Disaster Preparedness
Materials Children & Disasters
- "Disaster Preparedness Coloring
Book" (ARC 2200, English, or ARC 2200S, Spanish) Children &
Disasters ages 3-10.
- "Adventures of the Disaster Dudes"
(ARC 5024) video and Presenter's Guide for use by an adult with
children in grades 4-6.
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