|
4. FAMILY DISASTER SUPPLY KIT
Supplies you may need during a pandemic period as well as during
other emergencies
 There are many conditions where it is advisable to have at
hand the items listed below. Such conditions may be during power
outages,
winter storms, hurricane
conditions, and other events that may limit the ability to obtain supplies or
to arrange repairs. A pandemic period will have many uncertainties for prolonged
periods, possibly compounded by adverse weather conditions and power outages.
It is essential to have basic items at home. But also consider
items for your car, and items that can
be transportable, as necessary.
“ A disaster supplies kit is a collection of basic items a family would
probably need to stay safe and be more comfortable during and after a disaster.
Disaster Supply kit items should be stored in a portable container(s) as close
as possible to the exit door. Review the contents of your kit at least once per
year or as your family needs change. Also consider having emergency supplies
in each vehicle
and at your place of employment.” (Preparing for Disaster Brochure
by FEMA and The American Red Cross August 2004.)
Below are suggested items for your family supply kit
 First Aid Kit: Complete first aid kits can be purchased at
discount stores and pharmacies, or at the New Canaan Red
Cross or at www.redcross.org for
less than
$20.
Essential household items
 Radio (battery operated) at least with AM and FM. (Some additional
options may include the basic TV-band, the weather band,
and short-wave bands).
Some battery-operated
radios have digital tuning with station presets.
Among the stations you will listen to will include: WCBS
New York AM-880; WSHU FM-91.1; TV-8
Hartford; and BBC short-wave.
 Radio batteries: have at least 4 additional sets of batteries.
(If the radio uses 2 AA batteries, for example, have at least
8 batteries
in
reserve.
 Flashlight: have at least one in the home and one in each car.
LCD flashlights have a very long battery life.
Flashlight Batteries: have at least 4
sets of batteries in
reserve
Tools and Supplies
This list is for the home, but may also be taken in your
car, as necessary (in alphabetical order):
 $200
(minimum) in cash including small bills and change- Aluminum foil, heavy duty
- Can opener, non-electric
- Compass
- Duct tape, 2 rolls
- Fire extinguisher: small canister ABC type
- Flares, at least 3 (also keep 3 in each car)
- Map: of New Canaan and Fairfield County and of Connecticut
- Matches, wooden, in a waterproof container
- Medicine dropper (can also be used to measure bleach to
disinfect water)
- Needles, thread
- Paper plates, dishes, cups, and plastic
utensils; at least 100 of each
-
 Paper towels and toilet paper
- Paper, pencil
- Plastic sheeting (can be used
for broken windows), roll,
in heaviest
grade
- Plastic storage containers
- Scissors
- Tools: pliers, screwdriver,
and an adjustable wrench
(to use
for turning
off gas and
water, for example)
- Tube tent
- Utility knife
- Whistle
Clothing and Bedding
 In the event you need
to leave
your home, due to
a disaster
or power
outage, for
example,
consider:
- Clothing
and
footwear, at
least
one complete
change
per person
- Sturdy
shoes
or
work
boots
- Rain
gear
- Blankets
or sleeping
bags
- Hat
and gloves
- Thermal
underwear
- Sunglasses
 For
Baby
- Diapers
- Formula
- Bottles
- Powdered
milk
- Medications
For
Adults
- Prescription
drugs
 Heart
and high
blood pressure
medication - Insulin
- Denture
needs
- Contact
lenses
and
supplies
- Extra
eye
glasses
- Entertainment
(based
on
the
ages
of
family
members)
-
 Games
(cards)
and
books
- Portable
music
device
- Important
Family
Documents
Keep
copies
of
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 supplies kit in
the trunk of your
car.
(Aslo, see: http://www.redcross.org/images/pdfs/preparedness/A4600.pdf)
|
|
