Thursday?s power outage lasted only a few hours, but if you were sitting in the dark without a working flashlight and bottled water, you know you?re not ready for the next wildfire or earthquake.
It?s time to finally put together that emergency kit.
The essentials
? To store your survival kit, use a portable container such as a large, covered trash receptacle or a duffel bag. if you store your liquids at the bottom of your container, you?ll reduce the chance of damage from leaking plastic bottles.
? Consult your physician or pharmacist about the storage of prescription medications and keep a smaller version of your kit in your car.
? Remember to reconsider your emergency needs yearly and to change your food and water supplies every six months.
Special items
For adults
? Heart and blood- pressure medications
? Prescription drugs
? Denture needs
? Contact lenses and supplies
? Extra eyeglasses
For the elderly or infirm
? a medical ID bracelet to alert others to health problems and food or drug allergies
? at least a two-week supply of prescriptions and medications in their original packaging.
? Medical equipment such as blood-pressure cuff, blood-sugar monitoring equipment, hearing aid batteries, ice packs or an insulated bag for medication that requires refrigeration.
? Copies of medical records with doctors? contact information, lists of problems and how they?re being treated and the names of drugs taken.
For babies
? Formula and bottles
? Diapers and baby wipes
? Rash ointments and other medications
? Special toy and blanket
For pets
? Food and water for three days
Entertainment
? Games, books, deck of cards
Nonprescription drugs
? Anti-diarrhea medication
Clothing and bedding
? a complete change of clothing and footwear for each person
? Sturdy shoes or work boots
? Blankets or sleeping bags
? Hat and heavy gloves
? Thermal underwear
Sanitation
? Toilet paper, moist tissues
? Soap, liquid detergent
? Feminine supplies
? Personal hygiene items
? Plastic garbage bags and ties for personal sanitation uses
? Plastic bucket with tight lid
? Household chlorine bleach
? Toothbrush, toothpaste
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. Pack a can of Sterno to heat food. Select food items that are compact and lightweight. Include:
? Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits and vegetables
? Staples (salt, sugar, pepper, spices, etc.)
? High-energy foods
? Food for infants
? Comfort foods such as candy and crackers
Water
? Store water in plastic containers such as soft drink bottles. Avoid containers that will break or decompose. Set aside at least 1 gallon of water per person per day and keep no less than a three-day supply.
? a normally active person must drink at least 2 quarts of water daily. Warm climates and intense activity can double that amount. Children, nursing mothers and sick people will need even more.
Tools and supplies
? Mess kits, or paper cups, plates and plastic utensils
? Emergency preparedness manual
? Battery-operated radio and extra batteries
? Flashlight and extra batteries
? Manual can opener
? Cans of Sterno
? fire extinguisher: small ABC-type canister
? Matches in a waterproof container
? Plastic storage containers
? Emergency flares
? Paper and pencil
? Medicine dropper
? Shut-off wrench to turn off household gas and water
? Plastic sheeting
? Map of your area to locate shelters
? Spare cell phone battery
First-aid kit
Assemble a first-aid kit for your home and one for each car. Prepackaged kits will simplify your shopping, but check carefully to see if they contain everything you need. The American Red Cross recommends:
? twenty adhesive bandages, various sizes
? one 5-by-9-inch sterile dressing
? one conforming roller gauze bandage
? Two triangular bandages
? Two 3-by-3-inch sterile gauze pads
? Two 4-by-4-inch sterile gauze pads
? one roll of 3-inch cohesive bandage
? Two germicidal hand wipes or waterless alcohol-based hand sanitizer
? six antiseptic wipes
? Two pairs of large medical grade nonlatex gloves
? Adhesive tape, 2-inch width
? Anti-bacterial ointment
? a cold pack
? a CPR breathing barrier, such as a face shield
? a first-aid manual
Create a 'grab and go' box
In preparing for a disaster, don?t forget your important documents. The Insurance Information Network of California recommends creating a ?grab and go? box.
? use a waterproof (of fireproof) container large enough for file folders. Include insurance records, mortgage records, credit card statements, a home inventory and important telephone numbers. Tax forms can be useful in reconstructing financial records. keep a duplicate set of documents in a safety deposit box.
? Computer files can be downloaded onto a CD-ROM, an external computer hard drive or a flash drive, a small data storage device, for easy portability.
? Documents that should be scanned and saved include your driver?s license, Social Security card, will, deeds and marriage and birth certificates. (Don?t forget sentimental items, such as family photos.)
? The county Office of Emergency Services suggests photographing your home inventory.
? The ?grab and go? box could be where you store some emergency cash, traveler?s checks and change.
Resources
The San Diego/Imperial Counties chapter of the American Red Cross can be reached on the Internet at sdarc.org or by phone at (858) 309-1200. The county Office of Emergency Services can be reached by phone at (858) 565-3490 or on the Web at sdcounty.ca.gov/oes. The regional office of FEMA can be reached on the Web at fema.gov/about/contact/regionix.shtm or by phone at (510) 627-7100. The California Emergency Management Agency?s Web site is www.calema.ca.gov.
More information can also be found on the Union-Tribune?s Web site, signonsandiego.com/earthquake-resources.
SOURCES: The San Diego County Office of Emergency Services, the American Red Cross, the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the California Emergency Management Agency.
Jennifer Davies, Agnes Radomski and Peter Rowe contributed to this report.
Related Posts:
Source: http://www.dentistsinla.info/are-you-prepared-for-a-real-disaster-heres-a-plan-8/
herman cain diamondbacks wolf creek wolf creek lamichael james lamichael james arizona diamondbacks
No comments:
Post a Comment