DISASTER PREPAREDNESS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

APPENDIX B: DISASTER SUPPLIES CALENDAR

This Disaster Supplies Calendar is intended to help you prepare for disasters before they happen. Using the calendar, you can assemble a disaster supplies kit in small steps over a five-month period. Check off items you gather each week. Remember to change and replace perishable supplies (such as food and water) every six months.

* Purchase one for each member of the household.

Wk. 1 | Wk. 2 | Wk. 3 | Wk. 4 | Wk. 5 | Wk. 6 | Wk. 7

Wk. 8 | Wk. 9 | Wk. 10 | Wk. 11 | Wk. 12 | Wk. 13 | Wk. 14

Wk. 15 | Wk. 16 | Wk. 17 | Wk. 18 | Wk. 19 | Wk. 20

Week 1 (Grocery Store)

• ________ 1 gallon water*
• ________ 1 jar peanut butter
• ________ 1 large can juice*
• ________ 1 can meat*
• ________ Hand-operated can opener
• ________ Permanent marking pen

Also, if needed:

• ________ Pet food
• ________ Diapers
• ________ Baby food

To Do:

• ________ Find out what kinds of disasters can happen in your area.
• ________ Date each perishable food item using marking pen.

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Week 2 (Hardware Store)

• ________ Heavy cotton or hemp rope
• ________ Duct tape
• ________ 2 flashlights with batteries
• ________ Matches in waterproof container

Also, if needed:

• ________ A leash or carrier for your pet

To Do:

• ________ Complete a personal assessment of your needs and your resources for meeting your needs in a changed disaster environment.

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Week 3 (Grocery Store)

• ________ 1 gallon water*
• ________ 1 can meat*
• ________ 1 can fruit*
• ________ Feminine hygiene supplies
• ________ Paper and pencil
• ________ Map of the area
• ________ Aspirin or nonaspirin pain reliever
• ________ Laxative

Also, if needed:

• ________ 1 gallon of water for each pet

To Do:

• ________ Create a personal support network who can help you identify and obtain the resources you will need to cope effectively with disaster.

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Week 4 (Hardware Store)

• ________ Patch kit and can of seal-in-air product for the tires of mobility aids
• ________ Signal flare
• ________ Compass

To Do:

• ________ Gather extra medications and prescriptions, mark them "for emergency use."
• ________ Develop a personal disaster plan.
• ________ Give copies of the following lists to your network: emergency information list, medical information list, disability-related supplies and special equipment list, and personal disaster plan.

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Week 5 (Grocery Store)

• ________ 1 gallon water*
• ________ 1 can meat*
• ________ 1 can fruit*
• ________ 1 can vegetables*
• ________ 2 rolls toilet paper
• ________ Extra toothbrush
• ________ Travel size toothpaste

Also, if needed:

• ________ Special food for special diets

To Do:

• ________ Make a floor plan of your home including primary escape routes.
• ________ Identify safe places to go to in case of fire, earthquake, tornado, hurricane and flood.
• ________ Practice a fire drill and other pertinent disaster drills for your area (tornado, earthquake, etc.) with your network.

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Week 6 (First Aid Supplies)

• ________ Sterile adhesive bandages in assorted sizes
• ________ Safety pins
• ________ Adhesive tape
• ________ Latex gloves
• ________ Sunscreen
• ________ Gauze pads
• ________ Sterile roller bandages

Also, if needed:

• ________ Extra hearing aid batteries

To Do:

• ________ Check with child's day care center or school to find out about their disaster plans.
• ________ Ask your local emergency management office if emergency transportation services are available in case of evacuation.

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Week 7 (Grocery Store)

• ________ 1 gallon water*
• ________ 1 can ready-to-eat soup (not concentrated)*
• ________ 1 can fruit*
• ________ 1 can vegetables*
• ________ Sewing kit
• ________ Disinfectant

Also, if needed:

• ________ Extra plastic baby bottles
• ________ Formula
• ________ Diapers

To Do:

• ________ Establish an out-of-town contact to call in case of emergency.
• ________ Share this information with your network so they know whom to call.
• ________ Make arrangements for your network to check on you immediately after an evacuation order or a disaster.

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Week 8 (First Aid Supplies)

• ________ Scissors
• ________ Tweezers
• ________ Thermometer
• ________ Liquid antibacterial hand soap
• ________ Disposable hand wipes
• ________ Needles
• ________ Petroleum jelly or other lubricant
• ________ 2 tongue blades

Also, if needed:

• ________ Extra eyeglasses (put in first aid kit)

To Do:

• ________ Place a pair of sturdy shoes and a flashlight by your bed so they are handy in an emergency.
• ________ If blind, store a talking clock and one or more extra white canes.
• ________ If blind, mark your disaster supplies in braille or with fluorescent tape.

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Week 9 (Grocery Store)

• ________ 1 can ready-to-eat soup*
• ________ Liquid dish soap
• ________ Household chlorine bleach
• ________ 1 box heavy-duty garbage bags with ties
• ________ Antacid (for stomach upset)

Also, if needed:

• ________ Saline solution
• ________ Contact lens case

To Do:

• ________ Familiarize your network with any areas on your body where you have reduced sensation.
• ________ Choose a signal with your network that indicates you are okay and have left the disaster site.
• ________ If you have a communication disability, store a word or letter board in your disaster supplies kit.

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Week 10 (Hardware Store)

• ________ Waterproof portable plastic container (with lid) for important papers
• ________ Battery-powered radio
• ________ Wrench(es) needed to turn off utilities

To Do:

• ________ Take your network on a field trip to the gas meter and water meter shutoffs. Discuss when it is appropriate to turn off utilities.
• ________ Attach a wrench next to the cutoff valve of each utility meter so it will be there when needed.
• ________ Make photocopies of important papers and store safely.

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Week 11 (Grocery Store)

• ________ 1 large can juice*
• ________ Large plastic food bags
• ________ 1 box quick energy snacks
• ________ 3 rolls paper towels
• ________ Medicine dropper

To Do:

• ________ Store a roll of quarters for emergency phone calls.
• ________ Go on a hunt with your family to find a pay phone that is close to your home.
• ________ Test your smoke detector(s). Replace the battery in each detector that does not work.

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Week 12 (Animal Care Store)

• ________ Extra harness, leash, ID tags and food for your service animal and/or pets
• ________ Litter/pan
• ________ Extra water

From your veterinarian:

• ________ Obtain current vaccinations and medical records of your animal(s)
• ________ Medications

To Do:

• ________ Develop a pet care plan in case of disaster.
• ________ Make photocopies of all vaccination records and put them in your disaster supplies kit.
• ________ Put extra animal harness, leash and identification tag(s) in your disaster supplies kit.

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Week 13 (Hardware Store)

• ________ Whistle
• ________ Pliers
• ________ Screwdriver
• ________ Hammer
• ________ Perforated metal tape (sometimes called plumber's tape or strap iron)
• ________ Crow bar

To Do:

• ________ Take a first aid/CPR class from your local Red Cross.
• ________ Arrange to have your water heater strapped to wall studs using perforated metal tape.

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Week 14 (Grocery Store)

• ________ 1 can fruit*
• ________ 1 can meat*
• ________ 1 can vegetables*
• ________ 1 package eating utensils
• ________ 1 package paper cups

To Do:

• ________ Make sure your network and neighbors know what help you may need in an emergency and how best to assist.
• ________ Practice using alternate methods of evacuation with your network.

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Week 15 (Hardware Store)

• ________ Extra flashlight batteries
• ________ Extra battery for portable radio
• ________ Assorted nails
• ________ Wood screws
• ________ Labels for your equipment and supplies

To Do:

• ________ Make arrangements to bolt bookcases and cabinets to wall studs.
• ________ Label equipment and attach instruction cards.

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Week 16 (Grocery Store)

• ________ 1 can meat*
• ________ 1 can vegetables*
• ________ 1 box facial tissue
• ________ 1 box quick energy snacks
• ________ Dried fruit/nuts

To Do:

• ________ Find out if you have a neighborhood safety organization and join it.
• ________ Develop a disaster supplies kit for your car or van.

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Week 17 (Grocery Store)

• ________ 1 box graham crackers
• ________ Assorted plastic containers with lids
• ________ Dry cereal

First Aid Supplies:

• ________ Antidiarrheal medication
• ________ Rubbing alcohol
• ________ Antiseptic
• ________ Syrup of ipecac and activated charcoal

To Do:

• ________ Arrange for a friend or neighbor to help your children if you are not able to respond or are at work.

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Week 18 (Hardware Store)

• ________ Child-proof latches or other fasteners for your cupboards
• ________ Double-sided tape or hook-and-loop fasteners (such as Velcro®) to secure moveable objects
• ________ Plastic bucket with tight lid
• ________ Plastic sheeting

To Do:

• ________ Arrange for someone to install latches on cupboards and secure moveable objects.
• ________ Put away a blanket or sleeping bag for each household member.

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Week 19 (Grocery Store)

• ________ 1 box quick-energy snacks
• ________ Comfort foods (such as cookies, candy bars)
• ________ Plastic wrap
• ________ Aluminum foil

Also, if needed:

• ________ Denture care items

To Do:

• ________ Review your insurance coverages with your agent to be sure you are covered for the disasters that may occur in your area. Obtain additional coverage, as needed.
• ________ Purchase and have installed an emergency escape ladder for upper story windows, if needed.

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Week 20 (Hardware Store)

• ________ Camping or utility knife
• ________ Work gloves
• ________ Safety goggles
• ________ Disposable dust masks
• ________ 2 blank videocassettes

Specialty Store:

• ________ An extra battery for motorized mobility aids

To Do:

• ________ Use a video camera to tape the contents of your home for insurance purposes.
• ________ Make a copy of the videotape and send to an out-of-town friend or family member.
• ________ Find out about your workplace disaster plan.

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Original Material for Appendix B: Disaster Supplies Calendar supplied by Chevron Real Estate Management Company © 1994.