Disaster Kit Checklist
Disaster Kit Checklist
When disaster sweeps through your community, the first thing that will be on your employees’ minds is, "Am I ready? Do I have everything I need?"
Give them this 6-point list, recommended by the American Red Cross of Washington, DC, of what they need to include in disaster kits:
1. Store a gallon of water per person per day, keeping at least a three-day supply of water for each person in the home. The water can be stored in soft drink bottles or plastic milk jugs.
2. Keep a three-day supply of non-perishable food, such as canned meats, fruits, vegetables, juices, milk, and soup. Also store vitamins, foods for infants or adults on special diets, high-energy food such as peanut butter, jelly, crackers, granola bars, trail mix, and comfort/stress foods such as cookies, hard candy, sweetened cereals, instant coffee, and tea bags.
3. Assemble two first-aid kits, and place one in your car. Each should include the following:
• sterile adhesive bandages;
• 2-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6);
• 4-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6);
• hypoallergenic adhesive tape;
• three triangular bandages;
• three rolls of 2-inch sterile roller bandages;
• three rolls of 3-inch sterile roller bandages;
• scissors, tweezers, and moistened towelette;
• antiseptic, thermometer, and needle;
• two tongue blades;
• tube of petroleum jelly;
• safety pins, cleansing agent/soap, and sunscreen;
• two pairs of latex gloves;
• aspirin or non-aspirin pain reliever;
• anti-diarrhea medication;
• antacid and syrup of Ipecac;
• laxative and activated charcoal.
4. Also, store the following tools and supplies:
• mess kits, paper cups, plates, and plastic utensils;
• emergency preparedness manual and battery-operated radio;
• flashlight and extra batteries;
• cash, traveler’s checks, change;
• non-electric can opener, utility knife;
• fire extinguisher, small canister;
• tube tent, pliers, tape, and compass;
• matches in waterproof container, aluminum foil;
• signal flare, paper, pencil, needles, thread;
• medicine dropper, shut-off wrench to turn off gas and water;
• whistle, plastic sheeting, map of the area;
• toilet paper, liquid detergent, personal hygiene items;
• plastic garbage bags, plastic bucket with lid;
• disinfectant, household chlorine bleach.
5. The disaster kit should include one change of clothing and footwear for each person. Also, include work boots, rain gear, blankets or sleeping bags, hat and gloves, thermal underwear, and sunglasses.
6. Special items to include might be baby formula, diapers, bottles, powdered milk, medications, insulin, denture needs, contact lenses and supplies, extra eye glasses, games and books for entertainment, and important family documents and inventories stored in a waterproof portable container.
The kit should be stored in a convenient place in the house, and the smaller version could be placed in the trunk of the car. Also, all the items should be stored in airtight plastic bags, and the water and food items should be changed every six months.
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