Emergency Kit for Disaster

Is it important to have emergency planning for a disaster? Surely, we need remember that disasters can strike anytime. Disaster can take many situations: wildfires, flash floods, earthquakes,drought, river flooding, including man-made hazards like chemical accidents or even terrorism.

As a reality, if a major disaster strikes a community, it may take government agencies a few days to get into individual neighborhoods to offer services. So, you need to be prepared to help yourself. The need for preparedness should start at home. Following a disaster, we can use our assets to protect lives and property and to get the situation contained as quickly as possible. And the best way to do that is to put a kit together and have a personal safety plan in place. Put together a disaster supply kit designed to sustain you for a minimum of 72 hours (3 days). Your kit should be placed in a single, accessible location so you can find your supplies and use them if you need them.

That kits should include basics of survival: water, foods, warmth tools, flashlights, first aid kit, and hygiene products. Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation; Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food; Flashlight and extra batteries, and battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert; First aid kit; Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation; and don’t forget whistle to signal for help; dust mask, to filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place; wrench, can opener and pliers.

Additional Items: Prescription medications and glasses; Infant formula and diapers; Pet food and extra water; Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container; Cash or traveler's checks and change; Emergency reference material such as a first aid book or information; Sleeping bag or warm blanket; Change of clothing including a long sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes; Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper – bleach can be used as a disinfectant for water; Fire Extinguisher; Matches in a waterproof container; Feminine supplies; Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils, paper towels; Paper and pencil; Books, games, puzzles or other activities for kids.

If you need to buy some items, use calendar to organize so you just add things at a time to your kit as you make regular trips to stores. You don’t have to buy everything all at once. Over time you’ll have a full supply kit on hand. The supply calendar includes weekly steps for households to take to develop personalized safety plans, such as simulation and drill practice, taking a first aid/CPR class from the local Red Cross, and establishing an out-of-town contact to call.

By preparing our own emergency kits, we can be more composed in facing the possible disaster, and if it come, we can relieve and reduce the effects.