HEALTH TIPS FROM YOUR SCHOOL NURSE
PEGGY BROCKMEIER, RN
BUILDING A FAMILY EMERGENCY SUPPLY KIT
When disaster strikes, you may not have much time to respond, so it is
important that you and your family are prepared. A disaster could cut off
utility services for days and lead to evacuations or confine your family to
your home. Create a checklist from the items listed below as well as items
that you feel would be necessary for your own personal comfort and safety.
Store supplies in one or two watertight easy to store containers. Place the
supplies you'd most likely need for an evacuation (listed with an asterisk
(*) in an easy-to-carry container.
WATER*
Store water in plastic containers such as soft drink bottles or plastic milk
jugs. A normally active person needs to drink at least two quarts of water
each day. Hot environments and intense physical activity can double that
amount.
„X Store one gallon of water per person per day (two quarts for
drinking, two quarts for food preparation/sanitation)*
„X Keep at least a three-day supply of water for each person in your
household.
FOOD*
Store at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food.
„X Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits and vegetables
„X Canned juices, milk, soup (if powdered, store extra water)
„X Staples--sugar, salt, pepper
„X High energy foods--peanut butter, jelly, crackers, granola bars,
trail mix
„X Vitamins
„X Foods for infants, elderly persons or persons on special diets
„X Comfort/stress foods--cookies, hard candy, sweetened cereals,
lollipops, instant coffee, tea bags
FIRST AID KIT* Contact your local American Red Cross chapter to obtain a
basic first aid manual.
Assemble a first aid kit for your home and one for each car.
„X 2-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6)
„X 4-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6)
„X Hypoallergenic adhesive tape
„X Triangular bandages (3)
„X 2-inch sterile roller bandages (3 rolls)
„X 3-inch sterile roller bandages (3 rolls)
„X Scissors
„X Tweezers
„X Needle
„X Moistened towelettes
„X Antiseptic
„X Thermometer
„X Tongue blades (2)
„X Tube of petroleum jelly or other lubricant
„X Assorted sizes of safety pins
„X Cleansing agent/soap
„X Latex gloves (2 pair)
„X Sunscreen
NON-PRESCRIPTION DRUGS
„X Aspirin or non-aspirin pain reliever
„X Anti-diarrhea medication
„X Antacid (for stomach upset)
„X Laxative
„X Activated charcoal (use if advised by the Poison Control Center)
TOOLS AND SUPPLIES
Gather supplies that will assist in making you and your family feel safe,
secure and as comfortable as possible during times of emergency.
„X Mess kits, or paper cups, plates and plastic utensils*
„X Emergency preparedness manual*
„X Battery-operated radio and extra batteries*
„X Flashlight and extra batteries*
„X Cash or traveler's checks, change*
„X Non-electric can opener, utility knife*
„X Fire extinguisher: small canister, ABC type
„X Tube tent
„X Duct tape
„X Plastic sheeting or plastic tarps
„X Compass
„X Matches in a waterproof container
„X Butane lighter
„X Aluminum foil
„X Plastic storage containers
„X Locking plastic bags
„X Signal flare
„X Paper, pencil
„X Needles, thread
„X Medicine dropper
„X Shut-off wrench, to turn off household gas and water
„X Whistle
„X Insect repellant
„X Map of the area (for locating shelters)
„X Pliers, hammer, screwdriver, camping saw, camping shovel and other
basic hand-tools.
SANITATION
„X Toilet paper, sanitary wipes*
„X Soap, liquid detergent*
„X Feminine supplies*
„X Personal hygiene items*
„X Plastic garbage bags, ties (for personal sanitation uses)*
„X Plastic bucket with tight lid
„X Disinfectant
„X Household chlorine bleach
CLOTHING AND BEDDING
*Include at least one complete change of clothing and footwear per person.
„X Sturdy shoes or work boots*
„X Hat and gloves
„X Rain gear*
„X Thermal underwear
„X Blankets or sleeping bags*
„X Sunglasses
SPECIAL ITEMS (Remember family members with special needs, such as infants
and elderly or disabled persons.)
„X For Baby*
„X Formula
„X Diapers
„X Bottles
„X Powdered milk
„X Medications
„X For Adults*
„X Heart and high blood pressure medication
„X Insulin
„X Prescription drugs
„X Denture needs
„X Contact lenses and supplies
„X Extra eye glasses
„X Entertainment--games and books.
„X Important Family Documents
Keep these records in a waterproof, portable container.
„X Will, insurance policies, contracts, deeds, stocks and bonds
„X Passports, social security cards, immunization records
„X Bank account numbers
„X Credit card account numbers and companies
„X Inventory of valuable household goods, important telephone numbers
„X Family records (birth, marriage, death certificates)
SUGGESTIONS AND REMINDERS
„X Store your kit in a convenient place known to all family members,
smaller version in the car.
„X Keep items in air-tight plastic bags.
„X Change your stored water supply every six months so it stays fresh
and rotate your stored food every six months.
„X Re-evaluate your kit and family needs at least once a year. Replace
batteries, update clothes, etc.
„X Ask your physician or pharmacist about storing prescription
medications
(2006 South Carolina Emergency Management Division)
