Have you inventoried your emergency supply kit? If you haven’t done so, now is a good time to
check its contents. The Employee
Assistance Program (EAP) has provided the hurricane preparedness check list on
the following pages. Additional
information on how to cope with any disaster, including a hurricane, is available at www.eap4you.com.
HOME EMERGENCY KIT
Keep items in an
airtight bag and put your disaster supply kits into one or two easy-to-carry
containers such as a plastic box with lid and handle,
a duffel bag, or a backpack. Update
your kit each year and rethink your needs at that time. Check off supplies when added to your kit:
Food and water Manual can opener Utensils First Aid Kit Flashlight Battery-operated radio Batteries – AAA Cash in small
denominations and coins Unscented liquid
household bleach (for water purification) Personal hygiene
articles: toilet paper Sturdy shoes Heavy gloves Warm clothes A local map Extra eye glasses Plastic sheeting Tools including
pliers Blanket or sleeping
bag Extra keys to your
house or vehicle A copy of important
documents and phone numbers Paper towels Fire extinguisher Paper Various sizes of
plastic bags for waste and sanitation Diapers and other
items for babies and children (if needed) Special-needs items
for family members with mobility problems Tent or tarp for
shelter Matches in a
waterproof container Pet supplies – food Plastic storage
container Signal flare Needles and thread
FIRST AID KIT
2 pairs of
disposable gloves Sterile dressings Gauze bandages Cleansing agent –
soap and antibiotic towelettes Antibiotic ointment Adhesive tape –
2-inch width Eye wash solution Scissors and
tweezers Over-the-counter
medicines (aspirin Daily prescriptions
(insulin Prescribed medical
supplies (glucose monitor For each pet Have a leash or
muzzle on hand to help control your dog. Newspapers Sufficient amounts
of pet food Be sure your pet’s
rabies and other vaccinations are current. The collar should have a license tag. Gather your pet’s ID
and medical records and store in a waterproof package. Include a recent photo of
you and your pet with a description and copy of current vaccinations. Ask local shelters
if they provide emergency shelter or foster care for pets in a disaster.
FOOD
Store enough emergency
food to feed your family for at least three days:
Ready-to-eat canned
proteins or meats Canned or boxed
juices High-energy foods
such as peanut butter Comfort foods such
as hard candy Dried foods (avoid
high salt content) Instant meals that
do not require cooking or water Portable propane
stove and propane bottles Vitamins Protein or fruit
bars, nuts Storage sacks with
zip locks and utensils such as a picnic knife Food and water shelf
life: write the date you store the food and water on each container.
·
Use
within 6 months: powdered milk in a box,
dried fruit in a metal container,
dry crispy crackers in a metal container,
potatoes
·
Use
within 1 year: canned condensed meat and vegetable soups,
canned fruits, fruit juices and
vegetables, ready-to-eat cereals, peanut butter and jelly,
hard candy and canned nuts, vitamin
C
·
May
be stored indefinitely (in proper containers): wheat,
vegetable oils, dried corn, baking powder,
soybeans, instant coffee, tea and cocoa,
salt, non-carbonated soft drinks, white rice,
boulion products, dry pasta, powdered milk (in nitrogen-packed cans)
WATER
Store one gallon of
water per person and per pet per day Seal containers
tightly in a clean food grade plastic container Rotate water
supplies every 6 months (water can develop bacteria or algae from microscopic cracks in containers). Keep a small bottle
of unscented liquid bleach to purify water. (Add 8 drops of bleach to one gallon of
water. Shake or stir and allow to stand
30 minutes).
IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS
Birth certificates Marriage certificate Social Security
cards Military discharge Health insurance ID
cards Life insurance
policies Auto
registration/ownership papers, auto insurance policies Naturalization
documents Power of attorney Will Passport Real estate deeds Previous year tax
returns Contact info of your
attorney Inventory of valuables
with photographs and videotapes
MAINTAINING CONTACT
Determine the best
two escape routes from your home. Plan where to meet
if your home becomes unsafe. Choose two places --- one just outside your home
and one outside your neighborhood. Designate a contact
person far enough away not to be affected by the same emergency. Instruct family members to call this person
and tell them where they are. If you have a cell
phone Have a cell phone
charger available if there is power. Some radios have cell phone chargers via
battery. If your area code is
overloaded Keep a list of
toll-free and local phone numbers for help when posted on TV or radio. Start a file system
for contacts made with insurance Consider battery-powered
walkie-talkies Carry Change of
Address cards and complete as soon as possible
EVACUATION “ BUG OUT” BAG
Have an easy-to-carry bag with an ID tag for each member of
the family for use for an evacuation. Include
the following items:
Some water Flashlight and
batteries Battery-operated
radio Whistle Personal medications
and prescriptions Extra keys to your
house and vehicle Walking shoes Extra prescription
eyeglasses Toilet paper Dust mask Pocket knife Paper Cash in small
denominations Copies of insurance
and ID cards A recent picture of
your family and pets
In your child’s bag include a favorite toy
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