Emergency Preparedness Checklist

Take steps to make sure you are prepared in case of an emergency or disaster

• Create a Plan for Your Household – Have a Meeting
• Discuss why it is important to prepare, and learn about what types of emergencies could occur
• Talk about how your family will prepare and work together as a team in case of an emergency
• Post emergency numbers, and teach family members how to turn off utilities in emergencies
• Pick meeting places in the neighborhood or outside the neighborhood in case of evacuation
• Learn first aid and CPR, and contact the fire department to learn about home hazards
• Practice and reinforce what you have learned throughout the year Prepare an Emergency Kit
• Storage – In your home you might store your emergency supplies in a large, covered trash container, but also keep those items that you would most likely need during an evacuation in an easy-to-carry container, such as a duffle bag or backpack. A smaller version might also be kept in the trunk of a car. Basic needs include Water, Food, First Aid Supplies, Clothing and Bedding, Tools, and other Special Items.
• Water – Store one gallon of water per person per day (three-day supply) in plastic containers. The water supply should be changed every six months.
• Food – Store at least a three-day supply of nonperishable foods that are lightweight and require little or no preparation or cooking. Suggested items include canned meats, fruits, vegetables, juices, soup, along with high energy foods like granola bars. The stored food should be rotated out every six months.
• First Aid Kit – Many organizations, particularly the American Red Cross, have basic first aid kits or manuals for sale.
• Tools and Supplies – Paper cups, plates, and utensils; battery-operated radio and flashlight with extra batteries, cash or traveler’s checks, manual can opener, utility knife, matches in waterproof container, signal flare, pliers, wrench, tape, plastic storage containers, plastic sheeting, garbage bags, whistle, maps, compass, tube tent.
• Clothing & Bedding – Rain gear, blankets or sleeping bags, sturdy shoes or boots, hats and gloves, sunglasses.
• Special Needs and Medications – Infant needs such as formulas and diapers, personal hygiene and sanitary items, extra glasses or contact lenses, games and books to pass the time, nonprescription drugs as well as prescribed medications. Remember to consider supplies for your pet.
• Documents – Bank account and credit card numbers, phone numbers, family records, passports, social security cards, inventory of household items. Many documents may be stored on computer disks or USB flash drives.

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