January 2007 Volume 2, Issue 1
What is a disaster supply kit?
A disaster supply kit is a collection of the most important supplies prepared for use in the event of a disaster.
There are 6 items that you should stock in your home. They include:
Also, remember to prepare any special items your family may need, such as contact lens or denture supplies, diapers, pet food, etc.
Why should I have a disaster supply kit?
A disaster can strike quickly and without warning. You may have to evacuate your community or may be confined to your home. It is also possible that electricity, water, gas or telephone service is disrupted. Being
prepared for these situations is important for the health and wellbeing of you and your family. This kit will become a priceless resource in time of need.
How should I assemble a disaster supplies kit?
Putting together a kit can be easy and relatively inexpensive if done over a few months.
The Family Disaster Supplies & Preparedness Calendar will help you take the appropriate steps to create a disaster supply kit that would last between 3 to 7 days. Using this Calendar is simple. Just pick up items listed in the
Grocery Store Purchases list while you are doing your weekly shopping and you are done! You might also want to have weekly family meetings
to prepare your family members on how to communicate with each other in case of emergency or where to meet if
you are separated when an emergency occurs. Before you know it, you and your family will be fully prepared. Just make sure to re-examine your disaster supply kit at least every 6 months to make sure that all items with upcoming expiration dates are replaced in time!
Example of the first three weeks of the Family Disaster Supplies & Preparedness Calendar
*One per person in household
**One per person and pet
Week 1
Grocery Store Purchases:
1 gallon of water**
1 source of protein (canned meat,
beans, peanut butter)*
2 manual can openers
Safety pins
2 pairs of latex gloves
Permanent marking pen
In the weekly family meeting:Identify and discuss what kinds of disasters are most likely to occur
and how they will affect your family and property.
Make a family emergency plan.
information.
Week 2
1 can of fruit*
Sunscreen
Anti-diarrhea medicine
Plastic container for first aid supplies
In the weekly family meeting:
Plan to have at least 2 means of communicating with your family
(i.e. email, phone, cell phone, twoway radios).
Prepare a list of important phone numbers: family, friends, creditors,
doctors, veterinarian, etc.
Week 3
1 can of fruit
Baby food (if needed)
Aspirin and/or acetaminophen
Pens & paper
Designate an out-of-town emergency contact.
Teach children how and when to call 9-1-1 for emergency help.
Remember: The more you have planned ahead of time, the calmer and more assured you and your family will be.
For more detailed information and a complete Disaster Supplies and Preparedness Calendar , check out:
Are you prepared? Your Family Disaster Supply Kit. Southern Nevada Health District Public Health Preparedness.
http://www.southernnevadahealthdistrict.org/preparedness/default.htm
The purpose of this newsletter is to provide preparedness information to the general public.
If you have suggestions for future newsletter topics or to comment on preparedness issues, please email us at
cphp@yale.edu
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Mission: As part of a national network of Centers for Public
Health Preparedness that are funded by the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC), the Yale Center for Public
Health Preparedness, based at the Yale School of Public Health,
works to ensure that frontline public health workers are
prepared to respond to public health emergencies including
natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and disease outbreaks.
2 Church Street South, Suite 314
New Haven, CT 06519
Phone: 203-764-9713
E-mail: cphp@yale.edu
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This publication is funded through CDC
Cooperative Agreement #U90/CCU124251-02
Yale Center for
Public Health Preparedness