August 24, 2012
BY SHAWNEKLUND
Hurricanes approach land at varying speeds. Why wait until it’s too late to prepare your hurricane kit.
After a hurricane, local officials and relief workers will be on the scene, but they cannot reach everyone immediately. You could get help in hours, or it may take days or weeks. Would your family be prepared to cope with the emergency until help arrives?
Your family will cope best by preparing for a hurricane before it strikes. One way to prepare is by assembling a Hurricane Kit. Once a hurricane hits, you won’t have time to shop or search for supplies. But if you have gathered supplies in advance, your family can endure an evacuation or home confinement.
Preparing Your Kit
Review the checklist below. Gather the supplies that are listed. You may need them if your family is confined at home. Place the supplies you would most likely need for an evacuation in an easy-to-carry container. These supplies are listed with an asterisk (*). 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. Possible containers include: A large, covered trash container; a camping backpack, a duffle bag.
Storing 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 day (two quarts for drinking, two quarts for each person in your household for food preparation/sanitation).*
Storing 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
– Vegetables
Preparing a 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
– 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; and Activated charcoal (use if advised by the Poison Control Center)
Preparing 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)
Preparing Sanitation Supplies
– 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
Preparing 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
Preparing Special Items
Remember family members with special requirements, such as infants and elderly or disabled persons.
For Baby* – Formula; Diapers; Bottles; Powdered milk; and Medications
For Adults* – Heart and high blood pressure medication; Insulin; Prescription drugs; Denture needs; Contact lenses and supplies; and Extra eye glasses
Entertainment – Games and books
Keeping Important Family Documents
Keep these records in a waterproof, portable container:
– Military/DOD identification cards
– Visa, sojourner’s permit
– Birth certificate, naturalization papers
– Dependent care certificate
– Household goods inventory, POV documents
– Wills, powers of attorney, insurance policies, contracts deeds, stocks and bonds
– Passports, social security cards, immunization records
– Bank account numbers and credit card account numbers and companies
– Inventory of valuable household goods, important telephone numbers
– Family records (birth, marriage, death certificates)
Storing your Disaster Supplies Kit
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 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.