HOME DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

Home Disaster Preparedness

Your family will 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.

To prepare your kit:

Gather the supplies that are listed. You may need them if your family is confined at home.
Place the supplies you'd most likely need for an evacuation in an easy-to-carry container. These supplies are listed with an asterisk (*).

Disasters happen anytime and anywhere. And when disaster strikes, you may not have much time to respond. A highway spill of hazardous material could mean instant evacuation. A winter storm could confine your family at home. An earthquake, flood, tornado or any other disaster could cut off basic services--gas, water, electricity and telephones--for days.

Kootenai County Office of Emergency Management recommends the following items be kept on hand and easily accessible in case of natural or man made disasters:

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:

Basic 1st aid manual (see link at bottom of page)
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 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)
Family medical record for emergency responders
- list of medical conditions
- Medications - name, dose, time of day
- Doctor's name and phone number

Supplies

There are six basics you should stock in 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.

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, duct, masking
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 with lanyard - 1 for each person to wear around then neck
Plastic sheeting
Map of the area (for locating shelters)

Sanitation

Toilet paper, *
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*
Hat and gloves
Rain gear*
Thermal underwear
Blankets or sleeping bags*
Emergency foil blanket for each person
Sunglasses

Special Items

Remember family members with special needs, such as infants and elderly or disabled persons, and those using prescription medications.

For Baby*
- Formula
- Diapers
- Bottles
- Powdered milk
- Medications

For Adults*
- Prescription drugs - 7 day supply
- Denture needs
- Contact lenses and supplies
- Extra eye glasses
- Hearing aid batteries

Entertainment
- Small board games, cards and books

Important Family Documents. Keep these records in a waterproof, portable container. Consider taking digital pictures or scanning all of this information on to a cd or thumb drive and storing that. You can also make a file of all insurances and policy numbers, bank account information, credit card information, and family medical records and put it on the cd or thumb drive.
- 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 goodsImportant telephone numbers
- Family records (birth, marriage, death certificates)
- Family medical records

Suggestions and Reminders

Store your kit in a convenient place known to all family members. Keep a smaller version of the Disaster Supplies Kit in the trunk of your car.
Keep items in air-tight plastic bags.
Change your stored water supply every six months so it stays fresh.
Rotate 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.