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The most important thing you can do as hurricane season
approaches is to get yourself, your family and your home prepared.
By starting early, you'll avoid the rush at home supply stores, grocery stores and other venues typically crowded and often chaotic when hurricane watches and warnings are issued.
You should stock six basics for your home: water, food, first aid supplies, clothing and bedding, tools and emergency supplies, and special items. Keep the items you would most likely need during an evacuation 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.
Make your preparations easier by downloading the checklists included with each category and use them as you shop and store your supplies.
Food and Water
[download the food and water
checklist]
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 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
- Vitamins
- Food for infants
- Comfort/stress foods
First Aid and Non-Prescription Drugs
[download the first aid and
non-prescription drug checklist]
First Aid Kit
Assemble a first aid kit for your home
and one for each car.
- (20) adhesive bandages, various sizes.
- (1) 5" x 9" sterile dressing.
- (1) conforming roller gauze bandage.
- (2) triangular bandages.
- (2) 3 x 3 sterile gauze pads.
- (2) 4 x 4 sterile gauze pads.
- (1) roll 3" cohesive bandage.
- (2) germicidal hand wipes or waterless alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- (6) antiseptic wipes.
- (2) pair large medical grade non-latex gloves.
- Adhesive tape, 2" width.
- Anti-bacterial ointment.
- Cold pack.
- Scissors (small, personal).
- Tweezers.
- CPR breathing barrier, such as a face shield.
Non-Prescription Drugs
Tools and Supplies
[download the tools
and supplies checklist]
- 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)
Sanitation, Clothing and Bedding
[download the sanitation, clothing
and bedding checklist]
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
[download the
special items checklist: infants, adults, pets]
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
- Board games and other games that don’t require batteries
or electricity, books for adult readers and for children.
For Pets
In the interest of protecting pets, the Humane Society of the United
States offers these tips for inclusion in your family disaster plan:
- Do not leave your pets behind.
- Securely fasten a current identification tag to your pet's collar
and carry a photograph of your pet. It's important to include the
phone number of a friend or family member on the tag so anyone
who may find your pet is able to reach someone who knows you.
- Transport pets in secure pet carriers and keep pets on leashes
or harnesses.
- Call hotels in a safe/host location and ask if you can bring
your pets. Ask the manager if a no-pet policy can be lifted during
the disaster. Most emergency shelters do not admit pets.
- Call friends, family members, veterinarians or boarding kennels
in a safe/host location to arrange foster care if you and your
pets cannot stay together.
- Pack a week's supply of food, water and other provisions, such
as medication or cat litter.
- Do not wait until the last minute to evacuate. Rescue officials
may not allow you to take your pets if you need to be rescued.
- Keep a list of emergency phone numbers (veterinarian, local animal
control, animal shelters, Red Cross, etc.).
Possessions and Documents
[download the possessions and
documents checklist]
- 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.
Source/Reference: American Red Cross
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