416 W. 3RD St., Suite 1-B
Owensboro, Kentucky 42301 (270-683-2438)
Disaster Supplies Kit
Why Talk About a Disaster Supplies Kit?
After a disaster, local officials and relief workers will be on the scene, but they cannot reach everyone immediately. You could get help in hours, or it may take days. Basic services, such as electricity, gas, water, and telephones, may be cut off, or you may have to evacuate at a moments notice. You probably won't have time to shop or search for the supplies you will need. Your family will cope best by preparing for disaster before it strikes.
Assembling the supplies you might need following a disaster is an important part of your Family Disaster Plan. Following a disaster, having extra supplies at home or supplies to take with you in the event of an evacuation can help your family endure evacuation or home confinement.
Prepare Your Kit: Tips for your Disaster Supplies Kit
Keep a smaller Disaster Supplies Kit in the trunk of each car.
Keep items in airtight plastic bags. This will help protect them from damage or spoiling.
Replace stored food and water every six months.
Rethink your kit and family needs at least once a year. Replace batteries, update clothes, etc.
Ask your physician or pharmacist about storing prescription medications. It may be difficult to obtain prescription medications during a disaster because stores may be closed or supplies may be limited.
Use an easy to carry container for the supplies you would most likely need for an evacuation. Such as: a large, covered trash container, a camping backpack, a duffel bag, or a large cargo container that will fit on the roof of your vehicle.
Disaster Supplies Kit Basics: The following items might be needed at home or for an evacuation. Keeping them in an easy to carry backpack or duffel bag near your door would be best in case you need to evacuate quickly, such as in a flash flood or major chemical emergency. Store your kit in a convenient place known to all family member. Kit basics are:
A portable, battery-powered radio or television and extra batteries.
Flashlight and extra batteries.
First Aid Kit and First Aid Manual. You may purchase your First Aid Kit from your local Red Cross Chapter. Call Big Rivers Chapter: 270-683-2438. Or email: Elaine Pack, Director of Training & Marketing
Supply of prescription medications.
Credit card and cash.
Personal identification.
An extra set of car keys.
Matches in a waterproof container.
Signal flare.
Map of the area and phone numbers of places you could go.
Special needs, for example: diapers or formula, prescription medicines and copies of prescriptions, hearing aid batteries, spare wheelchair battery, spare eyeglasses, or other physical needs.
"Together, We Can Save A Life"
From: Talking About Disaster: Guide for Standard Messages, Produced by the National Disaster Education Coalition, Washington D.C., 1999 - Copyright 2001 The American National Red Cross, All rights reserved
copyright 2002, Big Rivers Chapter - American Red Cross