A Guide to Emergency Preparations

Emergency Preparations: Disasters and non-disasters have put emergencies at the top of our collective worry list. Sometimes the difference between a disaster and an inconvenience is a little bit of forethought.

It’s impossible to plan for every emergency or disaster that might occur. The best strategy is to be flexible. Remember the Y2K bug? Remember how silly the guy down the street, with the giant generator, six months of food and water looked, on Jan. 1, 2000? Imagine if on Jan. 2, 2000 there had been a gas main rupture, and the whole neighborhood had to evacuate on foot. How well would those preparations have served him then? Over specializing your preparations might leave you in a pinch in real emergency. Over preparation devotes resources to a theoretical disaster, which may be more useful elsewhere.

There is no definitive list of emergency supplies and preparations. Every family’s needs are unique, and every emergency is different. Think about your family’s situation and plan for it. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends, contacting your local emergency management office, civil defense office or Red Cross to find out what emergencies you are most vulnerable to and how you’ll be warned of emergency measures.

The lists in this article are a starting point, add or subtract items to meet your family’s needs.

In the Home

The most important emergency preparation in any home is the first aid kit. A pre-assembled first aid kit can be purchased from a grocery or discount store. Or a kit tailored to your families needs, can be assembled at home. If you’re going to invest in emergency preparations a good first aid kit is the best place to start.

First Aid Kit

*First aid manual
*Emergency phone numbers
-Doctor
-Dentist
-Poison control center
-Neighbors and relatives
*Fire extinguisher ABC
*Blanket (keep an old clean one near by)

Wound dressings
*Adhesive bandages
*Antiseptic wipes
*Cold packs
*Elastic bandage
*Gauze rolls and pads
*Hypoallergenic tape
*Sterile dressings
*Sterile gloves
*Sterile pads
*Triangular Bandage

Hardware
*Safety pins
*Sharp scissors
*Small flashlight and extra batteries
*Thermometer
*Tweezers

Creams and ointments
*Antibiotic cream
*Antiseptic solution
*Burn ointment
*Burn spray
*Hydrocortisone cream (1%)
*Petroleum jelly
*Soap or cleanser

Medications
*Antacid
*Anti-diarrhea medication
*Anti-histamines
*Aspirin, acetaminophen or ibuprofen
*Cough drops
*Laxative
*Extra prescription Medicine

Other things to consider adding:
*Activated charcoal (use if advised by the Poison Control *Center)
*CPR Mask
*Heating pad
*Protective Glasses
*Syrup of Ipecac (use to induce vomiting if advised by the *Poison Control Center)
*Vaporizer

Fire

Next to accidental injury, fire is the most common disaster in the US. There should also be a working smoke detector on every level of the house.
*Change the batteries twice a year.
*Test the smoke detector every month.
*Prepare two escape routes out of every room.
*Hold regular fire drills.
*Have a specific meeting place outside the house.

Stranded

Winter storms, hurricanes and blackouts are some examples of events that could leave you stranded at home. FEMA and the American Red Cross recommend having a two-week supply of food and water on hand.

Water: 1 gallon per person per day
*Date each bottle
*Heavy-duty plastic bottles like 2-liter pop bottle are recommended over glass or milk bottles.
*Replace every 6 months
*Never ration water. If you run low drink what you need today and look for more tomorrow.

Food FEMA recommends:
*Canned meats, fruits and vegetables (ready to eat)
*Canned juices, milk, soup (if powdered, store extra water)
*Sugar, salt, pepper
*Peanut butter, jelly, crackers, granola bars, trail mix (high energy foods)
*Cookies, hard candy, sweetened cereals, lollipops, instant coffee, tea bags (comfort foods)
*Vitamins
*Foods for infants, elderly persons or persons on special diets
*Avoid foods that make you thirsty
*Replace every six months

Preparations don’t need to be expensive or elaborate. Most of the supplies, for a basic house emergency kit, you probably already have, take a few minutes to search them out and store them together.

Recommended supplies
*Candles (long life)
*Extra Batteries
*Flashlight(s)
*Matches/lighter
*Non-electric can opener
*Radio
*Water purification tablets and directions

*Duct tape
*Plastic sheeting
*Work Gloves
*Wrench and pliers

Put them in a plastic totes or a sturdy cardboard box lined with a thick plastic bag. Store stranded supplies in one tote or box.

Additional Considerations: If you live in cold climate consider what your family would do if you didn’t have heat for an extended amount of time in the winter.

Evacuation

Hurricanes, floods and wildfires might cause an evacuation. You may get a few days warning that there may be an evacuation or you might get a few minutes warning. Either way it pays to be prepared. The less time you have to spend preparing to evacuate, the more time you have to get your house ready and the sooner you can be on your way to safety. If you only have a few minutes warning the more you have ready before hand the less likely you will be to forget something important.

Keep a second tote or box for evacuation supplies:
*3-day supply of food and water
*Extra house and car keys
*Money small bills and change
*Personal pack for each member of the family
*Plastic or disposable utensils plates and cups
*Sleeping bags or extra blankets
*Small pots for cooking
*Copies of important family documents
-Bank account numbers
-Doctor’s names
-Family medical records
-Insurance papers
-Recent pictures of family members

Additional items you may want to have on hand:
*Bleach- make sure it is unscented, not color safe and without other cleaning additives
*Bottle of mild shampoo (can be used to wash clothes)
*Camping stove and fuel
*Cooler
*Lantern
*Length of light weight rope
*Small bottle of dish soap (can be used to wash clothes)
*Small tent
*Water purifier

Consider a joint evacuation plan with family or friends. Spending an evacuation in a couple of crowed motel rooms with family will be less stressful than a crowded shelter with strangers.

Personal Packs

When deciding what to include in personal packs take into consideration that your family may need to evacuate on foot or temporarily abandon you car. It’s not practical to pack a full emergency evacuation kit for everyone in the family ahead of time, especially for children. Instead make sure that every member of the family has a backpack, tote bag of carry all. A backpack is the most comfortable for a long walk.

Personal packs require the most individual planning. Consider the needs and of each individual family member. Medications should be in the pack of the person who needs them. Everyone should have water.

Children able to understand that something unusual is happening should have a pack to carry, even if it’s just a change of cloths, a water bottle and their blankie or favorite stuffed animal. The responsibility of their own pack will help them feel like they are helping too.

In a sturdy reseal able plastic bag write the name of the family member in permanent marker.

*Travel size
-Deodorant
-Lip balm
-Shampoo
-Soap
-Toothbrush
-Toothpaste
*Change
*Comb
*Light sticks
*Disposable razor
*Elastic hair bands (for anyone with long hair.)
*Feminine supplies
*Washcloth
*Whistle- in case you get separated
*Mini first aid kit
-Adhesive bandages
-Antibiotic cream
-Antiseptic wipes
-Aspirin, acetaminophen or ibuprofen
-Burn ointment
-Hydrocortisone cream (1%)
-Small first aid manual
-Soap or cleanser

In a larger plastic bag

*Baby wipes or moist towelettes
*Bug repellant
*Campers emergency blanket
*Campers toilette paper
*Hat with a visor
*Poncho
*Small flashlight and batteries
*Sturdy refillable water bottle
*Sun block
*Sunglasses
*Towel
*A list of what else to pack
-2 pairs of underwear
-2 pairs socks
-All medications prescription and non-prescription
-Blanket or sleeping bag
-Fill the water bottle
-Jacket or light sweater (if it’s warm)
-One change of weather appropriate clothing
-Snacks
-Sturdy comfortable shoes
-Towel
-Book or deck of cards

Inside children’s packs, where only the child will be able to see, write their address and emergency phone numbers. Try to use two or three phone number of people who wouldn’t be evacuated with you.

Adults and older children in the group should divide among their packs

*Camera or disposable camera
*Cell phone and charger
*Copies of family papers in a plastic bag
*Extra food
*Extra money
*Extra water
*Large first aid kit
*Length of light weight rope
*Manual can opener and basic cooking utensils
*Maps
*Sewing kit
*Small cooking pot with lid

Once you decide what emergency supplies will best meet your families needs. Assemble them in plastic totes or duffle bags. Have a family drill to make sure everything can be loaded into the family car on short notice.

Additional considerations

Babies
*Bottles
*Diapers
*Extra water
*Light washable toys
*Light weight stroller
*Medication
*Powdered formula
*Wipes

Seniors or mobility impaired
*Brief medical history including any allergies.
*Copies of medical insurance and Medicare cards.
*Extra eyeglasses and hearing-aid batteries
*Extra wheelchair batteries or other special equipment
*List of doctors and emergency contacts.
*List of prescription medications including dosage

Pets
*Blanket
*Carrier
*Dry food
*Favorite toy or ball
*Leash and harness
*Litter, old news papers and small pan (for cats)
*Pet medications
*Rabies tag and vet records
*Small unbreakable water dish

Most shelters do not allow pets, research hotels that accept pets in emergencies, or other arrangements for your pet such as kennel or an animal shelter ahead of time.

Do not leave a pet behind. House pets are not equipped to fend for themselves in extreme weather. Leaving them locked in a house will deprive them of food and water if you cannot return to refresh their dishes. Leaving them tied in the yard is a death sentence.

A few sensible preparations will save precious time and energy in a crisis. The few minutes it takes to make an emergency plan and assemble your supplies could save you hours when a disaster comes.

Other Preparations for Evacuation

Arrange a family contact person for all member of the family to check in with if an emergency occurs. Make sure all family members know the phone number of you family contact.

*Call you family contact before you leave.
*Lock your home.
*Know how to turn off your utilities. Turn off utilities only if instructed to do so. Remember once your gas valve is shut off you will need a professional service person to turn it back on.
*Stay clear of downed power lines.
*Keep the radio on for updated information.
*Stay on the specified evacuation route other routes may be impassable.

An emergency is only a disaster if you are unprepared or panic. Stay calm and take things one step at a time and remember the most important thing is your family’s safety.