FAMILY DISASTER AND SUPPLIES KIT

Car Kit
When a disaster strikes, you may not have much time to respond. A highway spill of hazardous material could mean instant evacuation...while a winter storm could confine your family at home. An earthquake, flood, tornado, or other event could cut off basic services - gas, water, electricity, and telephones - for days.

After a disaster, local officials and relief workers will be on the scene, but they cannot reach everyone immediately. You could get help in hours, or it may take days. Therefore, you will cope with a disaster best by preparing for it before it strikes.

Once disaster strikes, you won't have time to shop or search for supplies. But if you've gathered supplies in advance, your family can endure an evacuation or home confinement.

To Prepare Your Kit:
Place the supplies you'd most likely need for an evacuation in an easy-to-carry container, such as a backpack, duffle bag, or covered trash container. Keep enough supplies in your home to meet your needs for at least three days.

Emergency Supplies Should Include...
* a 3-day supply of water (one gallon per person, per day) and food that won't spoil.
* Manual can opener.
* One change of clothing and footwear per person, and one blanket or sleeping bag per person.
* A first aid kit that includes your family's prescription medications.
* Emergency tools, including a battery-operated radio, flashlight, and extra batteries.
* An extra set of car keys and a credit card, cash, or traveler's checks.
* Sanitation supplies.
* Special items for infant, elderly, or disabled.
* An extra pair of glasses.
* Keep important family documents in a waterproof container.
* Keep a smaller kit in the trunk of your car and keep your gas tank 1/4 to 1/2 full at all times.

* Flashlight * Shovel
* Radio * Sand
* Battery * Small tools
* Blanket * Booster cables
* Plastic bags * Games & puzzles
* Socks/mittens/hat

Create a Disaster Plan.
Meet with your family and discuss why you need to prepare for disaster. Explain the dangers of fire, severe weather, and earthquakes to children. Plan to share responsibilities and work together as a team.

Discuss the types of disasters that are most likely to happen and explain what to do in each case.

Decide on a place for family members to meet if separated during a disaster and unable to return home. (Right outside your home, in case of a fire; outside your neighborhood in the event you can't return home.) Every family member should know the address and phone number of the meeting place.

Designate an out-of-state friend as a contact for separated family members. It's often easier to place calls out-of-state, than to make a local call. Family members should call this contact person and tell him/her where they are. Everyone must know the contact person's phone number.

Discuss what to do in an evacuation. Provide for safe, proper care of your pets.

Post emergency numbers by the telephone.

Plan an orderly evacuation of your home. In case of disaster, local authorities may advise you to evacuate. You'll need to follow their instructions.

If advised to evacuate, post a note telling others when you left, your destination, the medical condition of family members, and whether all members are accounted for.

Check Your Home.
Show each family member how to turn off water, gas, and electricity. Discuss when it is appropriate to do this.

Be Prepared to Help Others.
Learn first aid and CPR. Contact the local American Red Cross chapter for information and training. Consider neighbors who may need assistance. Remember: Individuals with special needs, such as infants, disabled persons, or the elderly, may depend on your help.

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