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.
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