• 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 person (two quarts for drinking, two quarts for each person in your household for food preparation/sanitation).

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

• Staples (salt, sugar, pepper, spices, etc.)

• High energy foods such as granola or high energy bars.

• Vitamins

• Food for infants

• Comfort/stress foods

First Aid Kit

Assemble a first aid kit for your home and one for each car.

• 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 non-aspirin 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)

Tools and Supplies

• Mess kits, or paper cups, plates, and plastic utensils*

• Emergency preparedness manual*

• Battery-operated radio or Television 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)

Clean Air Kit

Microscopic particles or debris may be released into the atmosphere that may or impair the respiratory function or cause lung damage.  To reduce the possibility of exposure to microscopic particles individuals may consider a nose and mouth protection. 

Face masks or dense-weave cotton material, that snugly covers your nose and mouth and is specifically fit for each member of the family. 

Nose and Mouth Protection

Be prepared to improvise with what you have on hand to protect your nose, mouth, eyes and cuts in your skin.  Anything that fits snugly over your nose and mouth, including any dense-weave cotton material, can help filter contaminants in an emergency.  It is very important that most of the air you breathe comes through the mask or cloth, not around it.  Do whatever you can to make the best fit possible for children.  There are also a variety of face masks readily available in hardware stores that are rated based on how small a particle they can filter in an industrial setting.  

Given the different types of chemical or biological releases that could occur, there is not one solution for masking.  For instance, simple cloth face masks can filter some of the airborne particles or germs you might breathe into your body, but will probably not protect you from chemical gases.  Limiting how much of the particles you may inhale into your body may impact whether or not you get sick.

In certain circumstances when there is a potential of  contaminated air outside, shelter in place is the only alternative.  An individual can use plastic sheeting and duct tape to seal off a room by covering the doors, windows and vents from outside contamination.  

Consider precutting and labeling these materials.  Anything you can do in advance will save time when it counts. 

Some people, particularly those with severe allergies and asthma, use HEPA filters in masks, portable air purifiers as well as in larger home or industrial models to continuously filter the air. 

Sanitation

• 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

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

Special Items

Remember family members with special requirements, such as infants and elderly or disabled persons.

For Baby*

• Formula

• Diapers

• Bottles

• Powdered milk

• Medications

 

For Adults*

• Heart and high blood pressure medication

• Insulin

• Prescription drugs

• Denture needs

• Contact lenses and supplies

• Extra eye glasses
   

Entertainment

• Games and books
   

Important Family Documents

• Keep these records in a waterproof, portable container:

  • 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)

• Store your kit in a convenient place known to all family members. 
  Keep a smaller version of the 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.