WHAT TO PREPARE IN THE EVENT OF A DISASTER
Prepared in Partnership between Desert Hot Springs Emergency Preparedness CERT Committee and the Palm Springs Unified School District
Getting Started
When should I start storing food, water, medical supplies, clothing, etc.? It makes good sense to assemble a disaster supply kit well in advance of a disaster. Store food, water and medical supplies as well as duct tape and plastic sheeting as soon as possible. Natural disasters can occur at any time, and the City encourages you to do all you can to be prepared for all types of hazards. Why not be ready?
Build a Supply Kit: A disaster supply kit is simply a collection of basic items your household may need in the event of an emergency. You may have to evacuate at a moment’s notice and take basic items with you. You may not have time to search for the supplies you need or shop for them. There is a possibility you may need to survive on your own after an emergency. This means having your own food, water, and other supplies to last you for 7 days or longer. Local officials and relief workers will be on the scene after a disaster but they cannot reach everyone immediately. You could get help in hours or it may take days. Basic services such as, electricity, gas, water, sewage treatment and telephone may be cut off. You emergency kit should contain items to help you manage during these outages.
Basic Disaster Supply Kit
♦ Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least 3 days (for drinking and sanitation). ♦ Food, at least a three day supply of non-perishable food (7 days is preferred). ♦ Battery-powered on hand crank radio, with a tone alert and extra batteries.♦ Flashlight and extra batteries. ♦ Local Maps. ♦ A manual can opener for food. ♦First-Aid Kit. ♦ Whistle to signal for help.
♦ Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities. ♦ Dust mask to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place. ♦ Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation. ♦ Cell phone with charger, inverter or solar charger. ♦ Prescription medication and glasses. ♦ Infant formula and diapers. ♦ Supplies for your pets, food water, plastic bag for sanitation, a shelter, leash and medications. ♦Extra cash or traveler’s checks. (Keep small bills and change). ♦ Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a water proof container. ♦Sleeping bags or warm blanket for each person. ♦Complete change of clothes including long sleeved shirts, long pants and sturdy shoes. ♦ Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper – When diluted, nine parts water to one part bleach, bleach can be used as a disinfectant. Or in an emergency, you can use it to treat water by using 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water. Do not use scented, color safe or bleaches with added cleaners.♦ Fire extinguisher. ♦ Matches in a waterproof container. ♦ Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items. ♦ Mess Kits, paper cups, plates, paper towels and plastic utensils. ♦ Paper and pencil. ♦ Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children.
Maintaining Your Kit
Just as important as putting your supplies together is maintaining them so they are safe to use when needed. Here are some tips to keep your supplies ready and in good condition.
♦ Keep canned food in a cool, dry place. ♦ Store boxed food in tightly closed plastic or metal containers to protect from pest and to extend its shelf life. ♦ Throw out any canned goods that become swollen, dented or corroded. ♦Use foods before they go bad and replace them with fresh supplies. ♦ Place new foods in the back of the storage area and older foods in the front. ♦ changes stored food and water supplies every six months. Be sure to write the date you stored it on all containers. ♦ Re-think your needs every year and update your kit as your family’s needs change. ♦ Keep items in airtight plastic bags and put your entire disaster supplies kit in one or two easy-to-carry containers, such as an unused trashcan, camping backpacks or duffel bag.
Supplies for Home, Work, Vehicles
Since you do not know where you will be when an emergency occurs, prepare supplies for home, work and vehicles.
Home: Keep this kit in a designated place and have it ready in case you have to leave your home quickly. Make sure all family members know where the kit is kept. Consider smaller kits for each member of the family and keep them in a location that each family can get quickly.
Work: You need to be prepared to shelter at work for at least 48 hours. Make sure you have food and water and other necessities like medicine in your kit. Also, be sure to have comfortable walking shoes at your workplace in case an evacuation requires walking long distances. Your kit should be in one container and ready to “grab and go” in case you are evacuated from your workplace.
Vehicle: In case you are stranded, keep a kit of emergency supplies in your car. This kit should include: ♦ Jumper cables; ♦ Flashlight and extra batteries; ♦ First aid kit and necessary medications in case you are away from home for a prolonged time; ♦Food items containing protein such as nuts and energy bars; canned fruit and a portable can opener; ♦ Water for each person and pet in your car; ♦ AM/FM radio to listen to traffic reports and emergency messages; ♦ Cat litter or sand for better tire traction; ♦ Shovel; ♦Ice Scrapper; ♦ Warm clothes, gloves, hat, sturdy boots, jacket and an extra change of clothes; ♦ Blankets or sleeping bags; ♦ Cell phone and cell phone charger; ♦ Flares or reflective triangle; ♦ Baby formula and diapers if you have a small child.
Be prepared for an emergency by keeping your gas tank full and if you find yourself stranded, be safe and stay in your car, put on your flashers, call for help and wait until it arrives.
