Emergency Supplies
It is a great relief to have a kit of supplies that will
help get you, your co-workers, or your family through the
first 24 hours up to 72 hours following a major disaster.
Even though manufactured kits are available from vendors,
making up your own is even better. Along with the suggested
lists, you can add your favorite book, games, medications,
and must- have snacks.
The kit can be small enough to fit in your desk, a backpack
for your car trunk, to a trash can that you keep on your back
porch. In fact, having supplies in all three places is good
peace of mind.
Car kits can include items for roadside emergencies such
as jumper cables, crowbar, screwdrivers, pliers, wrenches,
and duct tape. It is also recommended that you keep your
gas tank full. Gas stations may lose their ability to pump
gas following a loss of power that effects the pumping mechanisms.
Supplies for the car
- Non-perishable food, manual can opener, eating utensils
- Water
- First aid kit
- Personal hygiene items such as soap and hand towel, toothpaste
and toothbrush, moist towelettes
- Prescription medications and eyeglasses
- Flashlight, portable radio, and batteries
- Sturdy shoes, spare clothes, jacket, hat
- Leather gloves or kind with leather palm
- Pocket knife
- Blanket
- Trash bags
- Toilet paper
- Local maps
- Flares
- Cash-coins and bills
- Pencil and paper
- Emergency phone numbers
Supplies for the office
- Food (your favorite snacks) and water
- Flashlight and batteries
- Whistle, in case you are trapped
- Low heeled shoes
- Personal hygiene items
Supplies for home
- Food—canned and dehydrated, like dried fruit. If you
can get to your refrigerator eat the food in the cooled
section first, then the freezer, then your canned goods.
- Pets—don’t forget about them!
- Water—at least 1 gallon per day per person
- Customized first aid kit
- Non-electric can opener
- Sleeping bags, ground cloth
- Flashlight, portable radio and batteries
- Fire extinguisher
- Supplies for infants, if applicable
- Sanitation supplies—bucket and trash bags
- Personal hygiene needs
- Camping stove for outdoor cooking, matches or lighter
- Dishes and utensils, aluminum foil, paper towel
- Cash
- Personal documents such as insurance papers, birth certificate,
etc.
A word about water
- Should you need to purify your water, either boil it in
a pan on your camping stove for 10 minutes or add 8 drops
of bleach (use an eye dropper) per gallon of water. Mix
and let stand for 30 minutes.
- Store water on the floor rather than on the shelf. If
it is stored in your trash can kit, date, rotate, and periodically
check for leakage. Use the water within one year.
- Other sources for water are your toilet tank (NOT the
bowl) if you don’t use chemical treatment, and your water
heater.
Remember these lists are not exhaustive. Add things you
can’t do without!
If you have any questions, contact Environmental Health and
Instructional Safety at x7233.