Assemble A Disaster Kit
You may need to survive on your own after a disaster. This means having your own food, water, and other supplies in sufficient quantity to last for at least three days. Local officials and relief workers will be on the scene after a disaster, but they cannot reach everyone immediately. You could get help in hours, but it could take days.
Basic services such as electricity, gas, water, sewage treatment, and telephones may be cut off for days, a week, or even longer. Or you may have to evacuate at a moment's notice and take essentials with you. You probably will not have the opportunity to shop or search for the supplies you need.
A disaster supply kit is a collection of basic items that members of a household may need in the event of a disaster.
Since you do not know where you will be when an emergency occurs, prepare supplies for home, work, and vehicles.
- Home: Your disaster supplies kit should contain essential food, water, and supplies for at least three days. Keep this kit in a designated place and have it ready in case you have to leave your home quickly. Make sure all family members know where the kit is kept and can lift and carry the kit.
Additionally, you may want to consider having supplies for sheltering for up to two weeks, and plan for possible power outages at home.
- Work: This kit should be in one container, and ready to "grab and go" in case you are evacuated from your workplace. Make sure you have food and water in the kit. Also, be sure to have comfortable walking shoes at your workplace in case an evacuation requires walking long distances.
- Car: In case you are stranded, keep a kit of emergency supplies in your car. This kit should contain maps, food, water, manual can opener, first aid kit, and manual, flares, jumper cables, flashlight and extra batteries, fire extinguisher (5lb., A-B-C type), blanket, rain gear, and seasonal supplies.
Items to keep in your Disaster Kit
- A 3-day supply of water (one gallon per person per day) and food that won't spoil.
- One change of clothing and footwear per person.
- One blanket or sleeping bag per person.
- A first aid kit including prescription medicines.
- Emergency tools, including a battery powered NOAA Weather Radio and portable radio, flashlight, and extra batteries.
- An extra set of car keys and a credit card or cash.
- Special items for infant, elderly, or disabled family members.
- Copies of ID cards or drivers licenses for all family members