At Week 21 we are finally done with our incremental shopping list.  At this point you will have completed many activities that help better prepare your family, as well as have a fully stocked 72 hour kit.  I urge you not to stop here, but to continue to plan and prepare your family.

Congratulations, on your accomplishment.

Final Checklist

 

General Emergency Items

• Local Maps
• “Child proof” latches or other fasteners for your cupboards”
• 1 box facial tissue
• 1 box graham crackers
• 1 box heavy-duty garbage bags with ties
• 1 jar peanut butter
• 1 package eating utensils
• 1 package paper
• 2 blank videocassettes
• 2 flashlights with batteries
• 2 rolls toilet paper
• 2 tongue blades
• 3 box quick energy snacks
• 3 rolls paper towels
• Adhesive tape
• Aluminum foil
• Antacid (for stomach upset)
• Anti-diarrheal medication
• Antiseptic
• Aspirin or non-aspirin pain reliever
• Assorted nails
• Assorted plastic containers with lids
• Battery-powered radio
• Camping or utility knife
• “Comfort foods” (such as cookies, candy bars)
• Compass
• Crow bar
• Cups
• Disinfectant
• Disposable dust masks
• Disposable hand wipes
• Double-sided tape or hook-and-loop fasteners
• Dried fruit/nuts
• Dry cereal
• Duct tape
• Emergency escape ladder for upper story windows, if needed. (don’t forget to install”
• Extra battery for portable radio
• Extra flashlight batteries
• Extra water
• Gauze pads
• Hammer
• Hand-operated can opener
• Heavy cotton or hemp rope
• Household chlorine bleach
• Labels for your equipment and supplies
• Large plastic food bags
• Latex gloves
• Laxative
• Liquid antibacterial hand soap
• Liquid dish soap
• Litter/pan
• Matches in waterproof container
• Medications
• Medicine dropper
• Needles
• Paper and pencil
• Patch kit and can of seal-in-air product for the tires of mobility aids
• Perforated metal tape (sometimes called plumber’s tape or strap iron)
• Permanent marking pen
• Petroleum jelly or other lubricant
• Plastic bucket with tight lid
• Plastic sheeting
• Plastic wrap
• Pliers
• Rubbing alcohol
• Safety goggles
• Safety pins
• Scissors
• Screwdriver
• Sewing kit
• Signal flare
• Sterile adhesive bandages in assorted sizes
• Sterile roller bandages
• Store a roll of quarters for emergency phone calls.
• Sunscreen
• Syrup of ipecac and activated charcoal
• Thermometer
• Travel size toothpaste
• Tweezers
• Waterproof portable plastic container (with lid) for important papers
• Whistle
• Wood screws
• Work gloves
• Wrench(es) needed to turn off utilities

For Each Person

• Denture care items (if needed)
• 1 can ready-to-eat soup (for each person)
• 1 can ready-to-eat soup (not concentrated) (for each person)
• 2 large can juice (for each person)
• 4 can fruit (for each person)
• 4 can vegetables (for each person)
• 5 can meat (for each person)
• 5 gallon water (for each person)
• Feminine hygiene supplies
• Baby food (if needed)
• Diapers (if needed)
• Saline solution and a contact lens case (if needed)
• Special food for special diets (if needed)
• Extra battery for motorized mobility aids (if needed)
• Extra blanket or sleeping bag for each household member.
• Extra eyeglasses (if needed)
• Extra hearing aid batteries (if needed)
• Extra medications or prescriptions marked “emergency use.”
• Extra plastic baby bottles, and formula (if needed)
• Extra toothbrush

For Each Pet

• 1 gallon water (for each pet)
• Leash or carrier for your pet.
• Pet food
• ID tags
• Extra animal harness, leash, and identification tag(s)

To Do

• Arrange for a friend or neighbor to help your children if you are not able to respond or are at work.
• Arrange for someone to install latches on cupboards and secure moveable objects.
• Arrange to have your water heater strapped to wall studs using perforated metal tape.
• Ask your local emergency management office if emergency transportation services are available in case of evacuation.
• Attach a wrench next to the cutoff valve of each utility meter so it will be there when needed.
• Check with child’s day care center or school to find out about their disaster plans.
• Choose a signal with your network that indicates you are okay and have left the disaster site.
• Complete a personal assessment of your needs and your resources for meeting your needs in a changed disaster environment.
• Create a personal support network who can help you identify and obtain the resources you will need to cope effectively with disaster.
• Date each perishable food item using marking pen.
• Develop a disaster supplies kit for your car or van.
• Develop a personal disaster plan.
• Develop a pet care plan in case of disaster.
• Establish an out-of-town contact to call in case of emergency.
• Familiarize your network with any areas on your body where you have reduced sensation.
• Find out about your workplace disaster plan.
• Find out if you have a neighborhood safety organization and join it.
• Find out what kinds of disasters can happen in your area.
• “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. “
• Go on a hunt with your family to find a pay phone that is close to your home.
• “Identify safe places to go to in case of fire, earthquake, tornado, hurricane, and flood.”
• “If Blind, mark your disaster supplies in braille or with fluorescent tape. “
• “If Blind, store a talking clock and one or more extra white canes.”
• “If you have a communication disability, store a word or letter board in your disaster supplies kit. “
• Label equipment and attach instruction cards.
• Make a copy of the videotape and send to an out-of-town friend or family member.
• Make a floor plan of your home including primary escape routes.
• Make arrangements for your network to check on you immediately after an evacuation order or a disaster.
• Make arrangements to bolt bookcases and cabinets to wall studs.
• Make photocopies of all vaccination records and put them in your disaster supplies kit.
• Make photocopies of important papers and store safely.
• Make sure your network and neighbors know what help you may need in an emergency and how best to assist.
• Obtain current vaccinations and medical records of your animal(s)
• Place a pair of sturdy shoes and a flashlight by your bed so they are handy in an emergency.
• “Practice a fire drill, tornado drill, and earthquake drill with your network. “
• Practice using alternate methods of evacuation with your network.
• “Review your insurance coverage with your agent to be sure you are covered for the disasters that may occur in your area. Obtain additional coverage, as needed.”
• Take a first aid/CPR class from your local Red Cross.
• Take your network on a field trip to the gas meter and water meter shutoffs. Discuss when it is appropriate to turn off utilities.
• Test your smoke detector(s). Replace the battery in each detector that does not work.
• Use a video camera to tape the contents of your home for insurance purposes.