Prepare.org: Disaster Preparedness for People With Disabilities

Appendix A: Essential Disaster Supplies

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

• Basic Kit, Essentials, Water, Food
• First Aid Kit, Nonprescription Drugs, Medical Needs
• Sanitation, Clothing and Bedding, Tools and Supplies
• For Baby, Family Documents, Pets, Entertainment
• Other Disaster Supplies
• Service Animal and Pet Supplies
• Portable Disaster Supplies Kit
• Car Supplies

Basic Disaster Supplies Kit

There are six basics you should stock for your home: 1) water, 2) food, 3) first aid supplies, 4) clothing and bedding, 5) tools and emergency supplies and 6) special items. Keep the items that you would most likely need during an evacuation in an easy-to-carry container.

Essentials

• ________ Battery-operated radio and extra batteries
• ________ Flashlight and extra batteries (do not include candles—candles cause more fires after a disaster than anything else)

Water

Store water in plastic containers, such as large soft drink bottles. Avoid using containers that will decompose or break, such as milk cartons or glass bottles. A person who is generally active 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 to drink even more.

Store three gallons of water per person (one gallon for each day, for each person). Keep at least a three-day supply of water (two quarts for drinking, two quarts for food preparation and sanitation) for each person in the household.

Food

Store at least a three-day supply of nonperishable 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 and matches. 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
• ________ Canned fruits, dried fruits and nuts
• ________ Canned vegetables

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First Aid Kit

Assemble a first aid kit for your home and one for each car. A first aid kit should include the following:

• ________ Sterile, adhesive bandages in assorted sizes
• ________ Assorted sizes of safety pins
• ________ Cleansing agent/soap
• ________ Latex gloves (2 pairs)
• ________ Sunscreen
• ________ 2-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6)
• ________ 4-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6)
• ________ Triangular bandages (3)
• ________ 2-inch sterile roller bandages (3 rolls)
• ________ 3-inch sterile roller bandages (3 rolls)
• ________ Scissors
• ________ Adhesive tape
• ________ Tweezers
• ________ Needle
• ________ Moistened towelettes
• ________ Antiseptic
• ________ Rubbing alcohol
• ________ Thermometer
• ________ Tongue blades (2)
• ________ Tube of petroleum jelly or other lubricant
• ________ Extra eye glasses

Nonprescription Drugs

• ________ Aspirin or nonaspirin pain reliever
• ________ Antidiarrheal medication
• ________ Antacid (for stomach upset)
• ________ Syrup of Ipecac (use to induce vomiting if advised by the Poison Control Center)
• ________ Laxative
• ________ Activated charcoal (use if advised by the Poison Control Center)

Medical Needs

• ________ Heart and high blood pressure medication
• ________ Insulin
• ________ Prescription drugs
• ________ Denture supplies
• ________ Contact lenses and supplies

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Sanitation

• ________ Toilet paper, towelettes
• ________ Soap, liquid detergent
• ________ Feminine hygiene supplies
• ________ Personal hygiene items
• ________ Plastic garbage bags, ties (for personal sanitation uses)
• ________ Plastic bucket with tight lid
• ________ Disinfectant
• ________ Household chlorine bleach
• ________ Facial tissues

Clothing and Bedding

• ________ 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

Tools and Supplies

• ________ Mess kits or paper cups; plates and plastic utensils
• ________ Cash or traveler's checks, coins
• ________ Nonelectric can opener, utility knife
• ________ Pliers, screwdriver, hammer, crowbar, assorted nails, wood screws
• ________ Shutoff wrench to turn off household gas and water
• ________ Tape, such as duct tape
• ________ Compass
• ________ Matches in a waterproof container
• ________ Aluminum foil
• ________ Plastic storage containers
• ________ Signal flare
• ________ Paper, pencil
• ________ Needles, thread
• ________ Medicine dropper
• ________ Adhesive labels
• ________ Safety goggles
• ________ Heavy work gloves
• ________ Whistle
• ________ Heavy cotton of hemp rope
• ________ Patch kit and can of seal-in-air
• ________ Videocassettes
• ________ Disposable dust masks
• ________ Plastic sheeting
• ________ Map of the area for locating shelters

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For Baby

• ________ Formula
• ________ Diapers/wipes
• ________ Bottles
• ________ Powdered formula, milk or baby food
• ________ Medications

Important Family Documents

Keep these records in a waterproof, portable container:

• ________ Copy of will, insurance policies, contracts, deeds, stocks, bonds
• ________ Copy of passports, Social Security cards, immunization records
• ________ Record of credit card accounts
• ________ Record of bank account numbers, names and phone numbers
• ________ Inventory of valuable household goods, important telephone numbers
• ________ Family records (birth, marriage, death certificates)
• ________ Copy of Supplemental Security Income award letter

Items for Service Animals/Pets

• ________ Food
• ________ Additional water
• ________ Leash/harness
• ________ Identification tags
• ________ Medications and medical records
• ________ Litter/pan

Entertainment

• ________ Games and books

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Other Disaster Supplies

Assemble the supplies below in addition to your basic disaster supplies kit. Combine these with your disaster supplies kit as you need them, and store them somewhere that is easy for you to get to.

Disability-Related Supplies and Special Equipment

Check items you use, and describe item type and location.

• ________ Glasses:

• ________ Eating utensils:

• ________ Grooming utensils:

• ________ Dressing devices:

• ________ Writing devices:

• ________ Hearing device:

• ________ Oxygen:
  • ________ Oxygen flow rate:

• ________ Suction equipment:

• ________ Dialysis equipment:

• ________ Sanitary supplies:

• ________ Urinary supplies:

• ________ Ostomy supplies:

• ________ Wheelchair:
  • ________ Wheelchair repair kit:

  • ________ Motorized:

  • ________ Manual:

• ________ Walker:

• ________ Crutches:

• ________ Cane(s):

• ________ Dentures:

• ________ Monitors:

• ________ Other:

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Service Animal and Pet Supplies

• ________ Food
• ________ Extra water
• ________ Leash/harness
• ________ Collar
• ________ Identification tags
• ________ Medications
• ________ Vaccinations and medical records

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Portable Disaster Supplies Kit

• ________ Emergency information list/other lists
• ________ Small flashlight
• ________ Whistle/other noisemaker
• ________ Water
• ________ Extra medication
• ________ Copies of prescriptions
• ________ Extra pair of glasses
• ________ Hearing aid
• ________ Sanitary supplies
• ________ Pad and pencil or other writing device

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Car Supplies

• ________ Several blankets
• ________ Extra set of mittens or gloves, wool socks, wool cap
• ________ Jumper cables and instructions
• ________ Small sack of sand or kitty litter for traction
• ________ Small shovel
• ________ Set of tire chains or traction mats
• ________ Red cloth to use as a flag
• ________ CB radio or cellular telephone

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