Family Disaster Supplies Kit

	Monterey County Chapter
	Main Office 942 Lupin Drive Salinas, CA 93906-3996 Phone (831) 424-4824 (Salinas) or (831) 375-5730 (Monterey) Fax 424-5069	Service Center Presidio of Monterey, Building 257 Monterey, CA 93944 Phone (831) 242-6800 Fax 242-6808

Family Disaster Supplies Kit
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Your Family Disaster Supplies Kit

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 evacutation 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 (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 nor 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, ederly 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:

Non-prescription drugs

	Sterile adhesive bandages in assorted sizes
	2-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6)
	4-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6)
	Hypoallergenic adhesiv 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
	Aspirin or non-aspirin pain reliever
	Anti-diarrhea medication
	Antacid (for stomach upset)
	Syrup of Ipecac (use to induce vomitting if advised by the Poison Control Center)
	Laxative
	Activcated charcoal (use if advised by the Poison Control Center)

Contact your local American Red Cross chapter to obtain a basic first aid manual.

Tools and Supplies

Sanitation

	Mess kits, or paper cups, plates and plastic untensils*
	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)
	Toilet paper, towelettes*
	Soap, liquid detergent*
	Feminine supplies*
	Personal hygeine 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 footware 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 needs, such as infants and ederly or disabled persons.

For Baby*

For Adults*

Entertainment -- games and books

Important Family Documents -- keep these records in a waterproof, portable container.

	Formula
	Diapers
	Bottles
	Powdered milk
	Medications
	Heart and high blood pressure medication
	Insulin
	Prescription drugs
	Denture needs
	Contact lenses and supplies
	Extra eye glasses
	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)

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.

Create a Family Disaster Plan

To get started...

Contact your local emergency management or civil defense office and your local American Red Cross chapter.

	Find out which disasters are most likely to happen in your community.
	Ask how you would be warned.
	Find out how to prepare for each.

Meet with your family.

	Discuss the types of disasters that could occur.
	Explain how to prepare and respond.
	Discuss what to do if advised to evacuate.
	Practice what you've discussed.

Plan how your family will stay in contact if separated by disaster.

	Pick two meeting places: (1) a location a safe distance from your home in case of fire, (2) a place outside your neighborhood in case you can't return home.
	Choose an out-of-state friend as a "check-in contact" for everyone to call.

Complete these steps.

	Post emergency telephone numbers by every phone.
	Show responsible family members how and when to shut off water, gas and electricity at main switches.
	Install a smoke detector on each level of your home, especially near bedrooms; test monthly and change the batteries two times each year.
	Contact your local fire department to learn about home fire hazards.
	Learn first aid and CPR. Contact your local American Red Cross chapter for information and training.

Meet with your neighbors.

Plan how the neighborhood could work together after a disaster. Know your neighbors' skills (medical, technical). Consider how you could help neighbors who have special needs, such as elderly or disabled persons. Make plans for child care in case parents can't get home.

Remember to practice and maintain your plan.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency's Family Protection Program and the American Red Cross Disaster Education Program are nationwide efforts to help people prepare for disasters of all types. For more information, please contact your local or State Office of Emergency Management and your local American Red Cross chapter. Ask for "Your Family Disaster Plan" and the "Emergency Preparedness Checklist." Or write to: FEMA, P.O. Box 70274, Washington, D.C. 20024.

Information in this document was derived from Red Cross brochure ARC 4463, Rev. March 1992.

For more information e-mail mocoarc@crossnet.org or
call 424-4824 (Salinas) or 375-5730 (Monterey)

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Last updated 07 January 2000 Norm Pritchett
� Copyright 2000, The American National Red Cross