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 and 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
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)
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)
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 and 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
Medical Needs
____Heart and high blood pressure medication
____Insulin
____Prescription
drugs
____Denture supplies
____Contact lenses and supplies
Items for Service Animals/Pets
____Food
____Additional water
____Leash/harness
____Identification
tags
____Medications and medical records
____Litter/pan
Entertainment
____Games and books
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:
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:
Service Animal and Pet Supplies
____Food
____Extra water
____Leash/harness
____Collar
____Identification
tags
____Medications
____Vaccinations and medical records
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
Car Supplies
____Several blankets
____Extra set of mittens or gloves,
wool socks, and
a 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
For printed copies or an audiocassette version of this booklet, contact your local Red Cross chapter.
