For general disaster purposes, you should have:
- food (non-perishable canned or packaged goods)
- water (one gallon per person per day)
- clothes (a change of clothes/footwear for each person)
- medications, prescribed and over-the-counter (at least one week's worth)
- flashlight and extra batteries (or crank flashlight)
- radio and extra batteries (or crank radio)
- first-aid kit and special caregiving supplies (rubber gloves, pill crusher, etc.)
- hygiene items (toilet paper, soap, toothbrush, feminine and incontinence products)
- hand-operated can opener.
For more specific information about preparing a disaster kit for staying at home, see:
www.ces.ncsu.edu/disaster/factsheets/html/96.html.
In addition to gathering the necessary supplies, you can also help your family prepare for disasters by talking through action steps. For ideas about how and what to discuss with your family, including children and older adults, see:
"Help Your Family Prepare Before a Disaster"
www.ces.ncsu.edu/disaster/factsheets/html/46.html.
