Building a Disaster KitStocking a disaster kit means keeping these essentials in mind: water, food, first aid supplies, including over-the-counter medications, clothing and bedding, tools, sanitation items, and special considerations for infants, the elderly, and pets.It is important to note that you may need different supply kits available in different situations. For example, a home kit is not going to do you any good if you are at work when a disaster occurs. Following are recommendations from FEMA and the American Red Cross on preparing disaster kits. HOME DISASTER KIT
Food and water should be replaced every six months and review kit contents annually to adapt to family needs (such as clothing sizes for children). Store items in airtight plastic bags. PORTABLE DISASTER KITBelow are examples of supplies for a portable kit, which may be stored in your car and used for emergencies if you are away from home, at school or the workplace. This is developed by FEMA and the American Red Cross. As with the home disaster kit, portable disaster kits need to be customized to fit you and your family, adding items such as medications and infant formula. Recommended Supplies to include in a portable disaster kit include:
WORKPLACE DISASTER KITA personal disaster kit for the workplace -- where you may be confined for several hours or overnight -- is similar to contents in the portable kit listed above. Important items include: Flashlight and extra batteries, battery-powered radio, food for one day including high-energy bars, at least one gallon of water, medications, first aid basics, paper plates and plastic utensils, soap, toothpaste, personal hygiene items, one change of clothing, sturdy footwear, and plastic garbage bags. DON'T FORGET YOUR PETSThe American Red Cross and the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) recommends the following supplies for a pet care kit:
Pets and their supplies should be evacuated with you. If your pets cannot stay with you, plan ahead for sheltering at a safe, prearranged location. (Pets are not allowed at Red Cross shelters.) Take extra care to keep your pets safe. Remember animals react differently under stress than they would normally behave. They may panic and hide, run away, bite or scratch. In emergency situations, dogs should be kept on leashes and cats should be kept in carriers.
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