| WATER AND FOOD |
WATER
One gallon of water per person per day, for drinking and
sanitation. Children, nursing mothers, and sick people may
need more water. If you live in a warm weather climate more
water may be necessary. Store water tightly in clean plastic
containers such as soft drink bottles. Keep at least a
three-day supply of water per person.
One gallon of water per person per day, for drinking and
sanitation. Children, nursing mothers, and sick people may
need more water. If you live in a warm weather climate more
water may be necessary. Store water tightly in clean plastic
containers such as soft drink bottles. Keep at least a
three-day supply of water per person.
CLEAN AIR
Many potential terrorist attacks could send tiny microscopic
"junk" into the air. For example, an explosion may release
very fine debris that can cause lung damage. A biological
attack may release germs that can make you sick if inhaled
or absorbed through open cuts. Many of these agents can
only hurt you if they get into your body, so think about
creating a barrier between yourself and any contamination.
Nose and Mouth Protection:
Face masks or dense-weave cotton material, that snugly
covers your nose and mouth and is specifically fit for each
member of the family. Do whatever you can to make the best
fit possible for children. Be prepared to improvise with what
you have on hand to protect your nose, mouth, eyes and cuts
in your skin. Anything that fits snugly over your nose and
mouth, including any dense-weave cotton material, can help
filter contaminants in an emergency. It is very important that
most of the air you breathe comes through the mask or cloth,
not around it. Do whatever you can to make the best fit
possible for children. There are also a variety of face masks
readily available in hardware stores that are rated based on
how small a particle they can filter in an industrial setting.
Given the different types of attacks that could occur, there is
not one solution for masking. For instance, simple cloth face
masks can filter some of the airborne "junk" or germs you
might breathe into your body, but will probably not protect
you from chemical gases. Still, something over your nose
and mouth in an emergency is better than nothing. Limiting
how much "junk" gets into your body may impact whether or
not you get sick or develop disease.
Other Barriers:
Heavyweight plastic garbage bags or plastic sheeting,
Duct tape and scissors.
There are circumstances when staying put and creating a
barrier between yourself and potentially contaminated air
outside, a process known as "shelter-in-place," is a matter
of survival. You can use these things to tape up windows,
doors and air vents if you need to seal off a room from
outside contamination. Consider pre-cutting and labeling
these materials. Anything you can do in advance will save
time when it counts. Use available information to assess the
situation. If you see large amounts of debris in the air, or if
local authorities say the air is badly contaminated, you can
use these things to tape up windows, doors and air vents if
you need to seal off a room.
HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air Filtration) Filter
Fans
Once you have sealed a room with plastic sheeting and duct
tape you may have created a better barrier between you and
any contaminants that may be outside. However, no seal is
perfect and some leakage is likely. In addition to which, you
may find yourself in a space that is already contaminated to
some degree. Consider a portable air purifier, with a HEPA
filter, to help remove contaminants from the room where you
are sheltering. These highly efficient filters have small sieves
that can capture very tiny particles, including some biological
agents. Once trapped within a HEPA filter contaminants
cannot get into your body and make you sick. While these
filters are excellent at filtering dander, dust, molds, smoke,
biological agents and other contaminants, they will not stop
chemical gases. Some people, particularly those with
severe allergies and asthma, use HEPA filters in masks,
portable air purifiers as well as in larger home or industrial
models to continuously filter the air.
Many potential terrorist attacks could send tiny microscopic
"junk" into the air. For example, an explosion may release
very fine debris that can cause lung damage. A biological
attack may release germs that can make you sick if inhaled
or absorbed through open cuts. Many of these agents can
only hurt you if they get into your body, so think about
creating a barrier between yourself and any contamination.
Nose and Mouth Protection:
Face masks or dense-weave cotton material, that snugly
covers your nose and mouth and is specifically fit for each
member of the family. Do whatever you can to make the best
fit possible for children. Be prepared to improvise with what
you have on hand to protect your nose, mouth, eyes and cuts
in your skin. Anything that fits snugly over your nose and
mouth, including any dense-weave cotton material, can help
filter contaminants in an emergency. It is very important that
most of the air you breathe comes through the mask or cloth,
not around it. Do whatever you can to make the best fit
possible for children. There are also a variety of face masks
readily available in hardware stores that are rated based on
how small a particle they can filter in an industrial setting.
Given the different types of attacks that could occur, there is
not one solution for masking. For instance, simple cloth face
masks can filter some of the airborne "junk" or germs you
might breathe into your body, but will probably not protect
you from chemical gases. Still, something over your nose
and mouth in an emergency is better than nothing. Limiting
how much "junk" gets into your body may impact whether or
not you get sick or develop disease.
Other Barriers:
Heavyweight plastic garbage bags or plastic sheeting,
Duct tape and scissors.
There are circumstances when staying put and creating a
barrier between yourself and potentially contaminated air
outside, a process known as "shelter-in-place," is a matter
of survival. You can use these things to tape up windows,
doors and air vents if you need to seal off a room from
outside contamination. Consider pre-cutting and labeling
these materials. Anything you can do in advance will save
time when it counts. Use available information to assess the
situation. If you see large amounts of debris in the air, or if
local authorities say the air is badly contaminated, you can
use these things to tape up windows, doors and air vents if
you need to seal off a room.
HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air Filtration) Filter
Fans
Once you have sealed a room with plastic sheeting and duct
tape you may have created a better barrier between you and
any contaminants that may be outside. However, no seal is
perfect and some leakage is likely. In addition to which, you
may find yourself in a space that is already contaminated to
some degree. Consider a portable air purifier, with a HEPA
filter, to help remove contaminants from the room where you
are sheltering. These highly efficient filters have small sieves
that can capture very tiny particles, including some biological
agents. Once trapped within a HEPA filter contaminants
cannot get into your body and make you sick. While these
filters are excellent at filtering dander, dust, molds, smoke,
biological agents and other contaminants, they will not stop
chemical gases. Some people, particularly those with
severe allergies and asthma, use HEPA filters in masks,
portable air purifiers as well as in larger home or industrial
models to continuously filter the air.
FIRST AID KIT
In any emergency a family member or you yourself may be
cut, burned or suffer other injuries. If you have these basic
supplies you are better prepared to help your loved ones
when they are hurt. Remember, many injuries are not life
threatening and do not require immediate medical attention.
Knowing how to treat minor injuries can make a difference in
an emergency. Consider taking a first aid class, but simply
having the following things can help you stop bleeding,
prevent infection and assist in decontamination.
Things you should have:
Two pairs of Latex, or other sterile gloves (if you are allergic
to Latex).
Sterile dressings to stop bleeding.
Cleansing agent/soap and antibiotic towelettes to disinfect.
Antibiotic ointment to prevent infection.
Burn ointment to prevent infection.
Adhesive bandages in a variety of sizes.
Eye wash solution to flush the eyes or as general
decontaminant.
Thermometer.
Prescription medications you take every day such as insulin,
heart medicine and asthma inhalers. You should periodically
rotate medicines to account for expiration dates.
Prescribed medical supplies such as glucose and blood
pressure monitoring equipment and supplies.
Things it may be good to have:
Cell Phone
Scissors
Tweezers
Tube of petroleum jelly or other lubricant
Non-prescription drugs:
Aspirin or non-aspirin pain reliever
Anti-diarrhea medication
Antacid (for upset stomach)
Laxative
PORTABLE KIT
Emergency Supplies Water, food, and clean air are the
essential items for survival. Each family or individual's kit
should be customized to meet specific needs, such as
medications and infant formula. It should also be customized
to include important family documents.
Recommended Supplies to Include in a Portable Kit:
Water, amounts for portable kits will vary. Individuals should
determine what amount they are able to both store
comfortably outside the home and be able to transport to
other locations.
Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food ·
Battery-powered radio and extra batteries ·
Flashlight and extra batteries ·
First Aid kit ·
Whistle to signal for help ·
Dust mask or cotton t-shirt, to help filter the air ·
Moist towelettes for sanitation ·
Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities ·
Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food) ·
Plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place ·
Unique family needs, such as daily prescription medications,
infant formula or diapers, and important family documents ·
Garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
In any emergency a family member or you yourself may be
cut, burned or suffer other injuries. If you have these basic
supplies you are better prepared to help your loved ones
when they are hurt. Remember, many injuries are not life
threatening and do not require immediate medical attention.
Knowing how to treat minor injuries can make a difference in
an emergency. Consider taking a first aid class, but simply
having the following things can help you stop bleeding,
prevent infection and assist in decontamination.
Things you should have:
Two pairs of Latex, or other sterile gloves (if you are allergic
to Latex).
Sterile dressings to stop bleeding.
Cleansing agent/soap and antibiotic towelettes to disinfect.
Antibiotic ointment to prevent infection.
Burn ointment to prevent infection.
Adhesive bandages in a variety of sizes.
Eye wash solution to flush the eyes or as general
decontaminant.
Thermometer.
Prescription medications you take every day such as insulin,
heart medicine and asthma inhalers. You should periodically
rotate medicines to account for expiration dates.
Prescribed medical supplies such as glucose and blood
pressure monitoring equipment and supplies.
Things it may be good to have:
Cell Phone
Scissors
Tweezers
Tube of petroleum jelly or other lubricant
Non-prescription drugs:
Aspirin or non-aspirin pain reliever
Anti-diarrhea medication
Antacid (for upset stomach)
Laxative
PORTABLE KIT
Emergency Supplies Water, food, and clean air are the
essential items for survival. Each family or individual's kit
should be customized to meet specific needs, such as
medications and infant formula. It should also be customized
to include important family documents.
Recommended Supplies to Include in a Portable Kit:
Water, amounts for portable kits will vary. Individuals should
determine what amount they are able to both store
comfortably outside the home and be able to transport to
other locations.
Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food ·
Battery-powered radio and extra batteries ·
Flashlight and extra batteries ·
First Aid kit ·
Whistle to signal for help ·
Dust mask or cotton t-shirt, to help filter the air ·
Moist towelettes for sanitation ·
Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities ·
Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food) ·
Plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place ·
Unique family needs, such as daily prescription medications,
infant formula or diapers, and important family documents ·
Garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
FOOD
Store at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food.
Select foods that require no refrigeration, preparation or
cooking and little or no water.
Pack a manual can opener and eating utensils.
Choose foods your family will eat.
Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits and vegetables, protein
or fruit bars, dry cereal or granola, peanut butter, dried fruit,
Nuts, crackers, canned juices, non-perishable pasteurized
milk, high energy foods, vitamins, food for infants,
comfort/stress foods.
Store at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food.
Select foods that require no refrigeration, preparation or
cooking and little or no water.
Pack a manual can opener and eating utensils.
Choose foods your family will eat.
Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits and vegetables, protein
or fruit bars, dry cereal or granola, peanut butter, dried fruit,
Nuts, crackers, canned juices, non-perishable pasteurized
milk, high energy foods, vitamins, food for infants,
comfort/stress foods.
| DISASTER KITS/MEDICAL SUPPLIES |