Monday, September 27, 2010

Emergency Preparedness Kits

Emergency Preparedness Kits

Emergency preparedness kits are one of the most essential items that should be in every household. But when you buy these kits, you should make sure to buy either a family pack or individual emergency preparedness kits for every member of the family.

We live in a world where everything is so uncertain. We could almost never sleep in peace while being reassured that we could wake up peacefully the following day. So much could befall within a matter of minutes to ruin our lifestyle and everything we've built up. So that is why you need to gear yourself with emergency preparedness kits that will allow you the bare minimal needed to survive if things go wrong.

Would you know when the next tsunami would hit and when the next earthquake would come up?. The typhoons, currents, floods, heat waves and even terrorist attacks do not come with pre-warnings in most cases. So there goes the reason behind why every house should hold emergency preparedness kits.

You should make sure that essential items are included in the package when you buy emergency preparedness kits. Buying emergency preparedness kits and storing it in the far corner of your basement will not do any good. Always store the emergency preparedness kits at an easy to access point where every family member can reach. One thing you need to make sure is that your kids can reach the storage place of the emergency preparedness kits. So you ought to assure that no ladders or any such things will be needed to take out the emergency preparedness kits from its storage place. Most importantly, make sure that every family member living in your house knows where to look for the emergency preparedness kits.

The second most important thing is to know how gadgets inside the emergency preparedness kits work. You need to try them out and be trained on using them before an emergency occurs.

If you are satisfied with the emergency precautions of your family, then maybe you should encourage your loved ones to keep a few emergency preparedness kits handy. Talk to them about the possible implications it will bring forth. If you live in an area that has a history of being victim to natural disasters, make sure that your emergency preparedness kits are customized to face the situation, be it floods, typhoons or tsunamis.

72-Hour Family Emergency Kit (Click here for a printer-friendly version)

The 72-Hour Emergency Kit should be individually tailored to meet the basic survival needs of your family for three days to a week. Most families prefer to store their emergency supplies in one location that is relatively safe, yet easily accessible if evacuation is required. Items may be stored in a 32-gallon trash can, suitcase, duffel bag, backpack, footlocker, or individual pack.


AAA Explorer Road Kit


The items under Emergency Needs are recommended for your kit.

Emergency Needs


* Battery Powered Radio
* First Aid Kit & Manual
* Sleeping Bags & Blankets (wool & thermal)
* Manual Can Opener
* Waterproof/Windproof Matches
* Non-Perishable Foods
* Flashlight
* Water Storage (1 gal./day)
* Water purification tablets
* Utility Knife
* Emergency Candles
* Extra Eyeglasses/Contact Lenses
* Essential Medications
* Extra Clothing

Suggested non-perishable food items: Ready-to-eat goods in unbreakable containers, canned meats, juice, fruits & vegetables, powdered milk, infant care foods, crackers, peanut butter, freeze-dried & dehydrated goods.

Sanitation Kit

* Plastic Bucket w/Tightly Fitted Lid
* Plastic Bags & Ties
* Disinfectant
* Improvised Toilet Seat
* Paper Cups & Plates
* Personal Toiletries
* Baby Supplies
* Aluminum Foil
* Paper Towels
* Personal Hygienic Needs
* Plastic Utensils
* Soap

Other Emergency Needs

* Pen & Paper
* Money
* Address & Phone Numbers
* Work Gloves
* Basic Tools

Standard First Aid Kit

* First Aid Manual
* Aspirin or Pain Relievers
* Laxatives
* Rubbing Alcohol
* Diarrhea Medicine
* Petroleum Jelly
* Soap
* Salt
* Gauze
* Band-aid
* Triangular Bandage (36"x36"x52")
* Elastic Bandage
* Cotton Balls
* Cotton Swabs
* Safety Pins
* Scissors
* Thermometer
* Sanitary Napkins (Pressure Dressing)
* Disposable Diapers (Dressing/ Splint/Padding)
* Micropore Adhesive, Paper Tape
* Matches
* Needles
* Tweezers
* Small Splints, Popsicle Sticks
* Heavy String
* Syrup of Ipecac
* Individual Medical Needs
* Baking Soda (1/2 tsp. soda + 1 tsp. salt + 1 qt. water for shock)

Car Survival Kit

* Always Maintain at Least 1/2 Tank of Gas
* First Aid Kit & Manual
* Class ABC Fire Extinguisher
* Radio & Batteries
* Non-Perishable Food Stored in Coffee Can
* Bottled Water
* Bag of Sand, Shovel & Tools
* Blankets or Sleeping Bags
* Sundry Kit, Paper & Pencil, Map, Tissues, Pre-moistened Towels, Plastic
Bags,Essential Medications
* Flashlights & Batteries
* Reflectors & Flares
* Waterproof Matches & Candles
* Jumper Cables
* Short Rubber Hose for Siphoning
* Shovel

Make Copies of All Legal Papers


* Marriage License
* House Mortgage
* Vacation Home / Property Ownership
* Automotive Ownership
* Motor Home Ownership
* Wills
* Jewelry Appraisals
* Drivers Licenses
* Trailers, Snowmobiles, Boat Ownerships
* Insurance Policies
* Bank Accounts

When Assembling Emergency Supplies for the Household, Include Items for Pets

* Extra food (The food should be dry and relatively unappealing to prevent
overeating. Store the food in sturdy containers.)
* Kitty litter
* Large capacity self-feeder and water dispenser
* Extra medications

How to Store Water

Store your water in thoroughly washed plastic, glass, fiberglass or enamel-lined metal containers. Never use a container that has held toxic substances.

Emergency Outdoor Water Sources

If you need to find water outside your home, you can use these sources. Be sure to purify the water by:

* Boiling
* Disinfection (household liquid bleach: 16 drops/gal. of water, stir & let stand 30 min.)
* Distillation (boil 2 pot water & collect the vapor by tying a cup to the upside down pot lid - the cup shouldn't dangle in the water--it will condense back to water in the cup)

Sources:

* Rainwater
* Streams, rivers & other moving bodies of water
* Ponds & lakes
* Natural Springs

Establish an Out-Of-State 24-Hour Telephone Contact

* Calls out will not overload phone lines as will calls coming into a disaster area.
* All relatives should be informed now on procedures to call the phone contact, not after a disaster has occurred. Individual location and status should be requested.
* Take color pictures of every room plus pictures of valuables. Send one copy of legal papers and one copy of pictures to an out-of-state contact.

Plan How Your Family Will Stay in Contact if Separated by Disaster

Pick two meeting places:


1. a location a safe distance from your home in case of fire
2. a place outside your neighborhood in case you can't return home

Other Considerations

* Stock supplies to last several days to a week for each family member.
* Be prepared to relocate to a shelter during a prolonged power outage.
* Have extra cash on hand in case electronic transactions (ATM card, credit
cards, etc.) cannot be processed.
* Work with your family in talking about the steps each needs to take to be
ready if disaster happens.

Meet with Neighbors

Plan how the neighborhood could work together after a disaster. Know you neighbors' skills (medical, technical). Consider how you could help neighbors who have special needs, such as elderly or disabled persons. Make plans for child care in case parents can't get home.

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