This
Disaster Supplies Calendar is intended to help you prepare
for disasters before they happen. Using the calendar,
you can assemble a disaster supplies kit in small steps
over a five-month period. Check off items you gather
each week. Remember to change and replace perishable
supplies (such as food and water) every six months.
*
Purchase one for each member of the
household.
WEEK
1
Grocery Store
1 gallon water*
1 jar peanut butter
1 large can juice*
1 can meat*
Hand-operated can opener
Permanent marking pen
Also, pet food, diapers, and baby food, if needed.
To
Do
Find out what kinds of disasters can happen in your
area.
Date each perishable food item using marking pen.
WEEK
2
Hardware Store
Heavy cotton or hemp rope
Duct tape
2 flashlights with batteries
Matches in waterproof container
Also, a leash or carrier for your pet.
To
Do
Complete a personal assessment of your needs and your
resources for meeting your needs in a changed disaster
environment.
WEEK
3
Grocery Store
1 gallon water*
1 can meat*
1 can fruit*
Feminine hygiene supplies
Paper and pencil
Map of the area
Aspirin or nonaspirin pain reliever
Laxative
Also, 1 gallon of water for each pet.
To
Do
Create a personal support network who can help you
identify and obtain the resources you will need to
cope effectively with disaster.
WEEK
4
Hardware Store
Patch kit and can of seal-in-air product for the tires
of mobility aids
Signal flare
Compass
Also, extra medications or prescriptions marked "emergency
use."
To
Do
Develop a personal disaster plan.
Give copies of the following lists to your network:
emergency information list, medical information list,
disability-related supplies and special equipment
list, and personal disaster plan.
WEEK
5
Grocery Store
1 gallon water*
1 can meat*
1 can fruit*
1 can vegetables*
2 rolls toilet paper
Extra toothbrush
Travel size toothpaste
Also, special food for special diets, if needed.
To
Do
Make a floor plan of your home including primary escape
routes.
Identify safe places to go to in case of fire, earthquake,
tornado, hurricane, and flood.
Practice a fire drill, tornado drill, and earthquake
drill with your network.
WEEK
6
First Aid Supplies
Sterile adhesive bandages in assorted sizes
Safety pins
Adhesive tape
Latex gloves
Sunscreen
Gauze pads
Sterile roller bandages
Also, extra hearing aid batteries, if needed.
To
Do
Check with child's day care center or school to find
out about their disaster plans.
Ask your local emergency management office if emergency
transportation services are available in case of evacuation.
WEEK
7
Grocery Store
1 gallon water*
1 can ready-to-eat soup (not concentrated)*
1 can fruit*
1 can vegetables*
Sewing kit
Disinfectant
Also, extra plastic baby bottles, formula, and diapers,
if needed.
To
Do
Establish an out-of-town contact to call in case of
emergency.
Share this information with your network so they know
whom to call.
Make arrangements for your network to check on you
immediately after an evacuation order or a disaster.
WEEK
8
First Aid Supplies
Scissors
Tweezers
Thermometer
Liquid antibacterial hand soap
Disposable hand wipes
Needles
Petroleum jelly or other lubricant
2 tongue blades
Also, extra eyeglasses, if needed. Put in first aid
kit.
To
Do
Place a pair of sturdy shoes and a flashlight by your
bed so they are handy in an emergency.
If Blind, store a talking clock and one or more extra
white canes.
If Blind, mark your disaster supplies in braille or
with fluorescent tape.
WEEK
9
Grocery Store
1 can ready-to-eat soup*
Liquid
dish soap
Household chlorine bleach
1 box heavy-duty garbage bags with ties
Antacid (for stomach upset)
Also, saline solution and a contact lens case, if
needed.
To
Do
Familiarize your network with any areas on your body
where you have reduced sensation.
Choose a signal with your network that indicates you
are okay and have left the disaster site.
If you have a communication disability, store a word
or letter board in your disaster supplies kit.
WEEK
10
Hardware Store
Waterproof portable plastic container (with lid) for
important papers
Battery-powered radio
Wrench(es) needed to turn off utilities
To
Do
Take your network on a field trip to the gas meter
and water meter shutoffs. Discuss when it is appropriate
to turn off utilities.
Attach a wrench next to the cutoff valve of each utility
meter so it will be there when needed.
Make photocopies of important papers and store safely.
WEEK
11
Grocery Store
1 large can juice*
Large plastic food bags
1 box quick energy snacks
3 rolls paper towels
Medicine dropper
To
Do
Store a roll of quarters for emergency phone calls.
Go on a hunt with your family to find a pay phone
that is close to your home.
Test your smoke detector(s). Replace the battery in
each detector that does not work.
WEEK
12
Animal Care Store
Extra harness, leash, ID tags, and food for your service
animal and/or pets
Litter/pan
Extra water
Veterinarian
Obtain current vaccinations and medical records of
your animal(s)
Medications
To
Do
Develop a pet care plan in case of disaster.
Make photocopies of all vaccination records and put
them in your disaster supplies kit.
Put extra animal harness, leash, and identification
tag(s) in your disaster supplies kit.
WEEK
13
Hardware Store
Whistle
Pliers
Screwdriver
Hammer
Perforated metal tape (sometimes called plumber's
tape or strap iron)
Crow bar
To
Do
Take a first aid/CPR class from your local Red Cross.
Arrange to have your water heater strapped to wall
studs using perforated metal tape.
WEEK
14
Grocery Store
1 can fruit*
1 can meat*
1 can vegetables*
1 package eating utensils
1 package paper
Cups
To
Do
Make sure your network and neighbors know what help
you may need in an emergency and how best to assist.
Practice using alternate methods of evacuation with
your network.
WEEK
15
Hardware Store
Extra flashlight batteries
Extra battery for portable radio
Assorted nails
Wood screws
Labels for your equipment and supplies
To
Do
Make arrangements to bolt bookcases and cabinets to
wall studs.
Label equipment and attach instruction cards.
WEEK
16
Grocery Store
1 can meat*
1 can vegetables*
1 box facial tissue
1 box quick energy snacks
Dried fruit/nuts
To
Do
Find out if you have a neighborhood safety organization
and join it.
Develop a disaster supplies kit for your car or van.
WEEK
17
Grocery Store
1 box graham crackers
Assorted plastic containers with lids
Dry cereal
First
Aid Supplies
Antidiarrheal medication
Rubbing alcohol
Antiseptic
Syrup of ipecac and activated charcoal
To
Do
Arrange for a friend or neighbor to help your children
if you are not able to respond or are at work.
WEEK
18
Hardware Store
"Child proof" latches or other fasteners
for your cupboards
Double-sided tape or hook-and-loop fasteners (such
as Velcro®) to secure moveable objects
Plastic bucket with tight lid
Plastic sheeting
To
Do
Arrange for someone to install latches on cupboards
and secure moveable objects.
Put away a blanket or sleeping bag for each household
member.
WEEK
19
Grocery Store
1 box quick-energy snacks
Comfort foods (such as cookies, candy bars)
Plastic wrap
Aluminum foil
Also denture care items, if needed.
To
Do
Review your insurance coverages with your agent to
be sure you are covered for the disasters that may
occur in your area. Obtain additional coverage, as
needed.
Purchase and have installed an emergency escape ladder
for upper story windows, if needed.
WEEK
20
Hardware Store
Camping or utility knife
Work gloves
Safety goggles
Disposable dust masks
2 blank videocassettes
Specialty
Store
Get an extra battery for motorized mobility aids
To
Do
Use a video camera to tape the contents of your home
for insurance purposes.
Make a copy of the videotape and send to an out-of-town
friend or family member.
Find out about your workplace disaster plan.
