To Get Started

• Check your house for supplies that you already have on hand.
• Decide where you will store supplies (food may be packed together in a single container or kept on shelves for easy rotation.)

Meet With Your Family To Plan

• Discuss the types of disasters that could occur.
• Explain how to prepare; explain when and how to respond.
• Discuss what to do if you need to evacuate.
• Practice your plan.

• Week 1
  • Grocery Store
    • 1 gallon of water*
    • 1 jar of peanut butter*
    • 1 large can juice*
    • 1 can meat*
    • hand-operated can opener
    • instant coffee, tea, powdered soft drinks
    • permanent marking pen to mark date on cans
      \ Also:(remember 1 gallon of water for each pet)
      And: pet food, diapers, and/or baby food if needed.
  • To Do
    • Make a family plan
    • Date each perishable food item using a marking pen.
• Week 2
  • Hardware Store
    • crescent wrench
    • heavy rope
    • duct tape
    • 2 flashlights with batteries
    • "bungee" cords
      \ Also: a leash or carrier for your pet, if needed.
  • To Do
    • Check your house for hazards.
    • Locate your gas meter and water shutoffs and attach a wrench near them.
• Week 3
  • Grocery Store
    • 1 gallon of water*
    • 1 can meat*
    • 1 can fruit*
    • sanitary napkins
    • video tape
      /Also: (remember 1 gallon of water for each pet)
      And: pet food, diapers, and/or baby food if needed.
  • To Do
    • Use a video camera to tape the contents of your home for insurance purposes.
    • Store video tape with friend/family member who lives out of town.
• Week 4
  • Hardware Store
    • plumbers tape
    • crowbar
    • smoke detector with battery
  • To Do
    • Install or test your smoke detector.
    • Tie water heater to wall studs using plumbers tape.
• Week 5
  • Grocery Store
    • 1 gallon of water*
    • 1 can of 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
    • Have a fire drill at home.
• Week 6
  • First Aid Supplies
    • aspirin and/or acetominophen
    • compresses
    • rolls of gauze or bandages
    • first aid tape
    • adhesive bandages
      (in assorted sizes)
      /Also: extra hearing aid batteries, if needed.
  • To Do
    • Check with your child's day care or school to find out about their disaster plans.
• Week 7
  • Grocery Store
    • 1 gallon of water*
    • 1 can ready-to-eat soup (not concentrate)*
    • 1 can fruit*
    • 1 can vegetables*
      /Also: extra plastic baby bottles, formula and diapers, if needed.
  • To Do
    • Establish an out-of-state contact to call in case of emergency.
• Week 8
  • First Aid Supplies
    • scissors
    • tweezers
    • antiseptic
    • thermometer
    • liquid hand soap
    • disposable hand wipes
    • sewing kit
      /Also: extra eyeglasses, if needed
  • To Do
    • Place a pair of shoes and a flashlight under your bed do that they are handy during an emergency.
• Week 9
  • Grocery Store
    • 1 can of ready-to-eat soup*
    • liquid dish soap
    • plain liquid bleach
    • 1 box heavy-duty garbage bags
      Also: saline solution and a contact lens case, if needed.
  • To Do
    • Send some of your favorite family photos (or copies) to family members out of state for safe keeping.
• Week 10
  • Hardware Store
    • waterproof portable plastic container (with lid) for important papers
    • portable AM/FM radio (with batteries)
      /Also: blankets or sleeping bag for each family member.
  • To Do
    • 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
      /Also: sunscreen, if needed.
  • To Do
    • Store a roll of quarters for emergency phone calls.
    • Go on a hunt with your family to find a pay phone near home.
• Week 12
  • First Aid Supplies
    • anti-diarrhea medicine
    • rubbing alcohol
    • 1 pr. latex gloves
    • ipecac syrup and activated charcoal (for accidental poisoning)
    • children's vitamins
      /Also: items for denture care, if needed.
  • To Do
    • Take your family of a field trip to gas meter and water meter shutoffs.
• Week 13
  • Hardware Store
    • whistle
    • ABC fire extinguisher
    • pliers
    • vise grips
  • To Do
    • Take a first aid/CPR class
• Week 14
  • Grocery Store
    • 1 can fruit*
    • 1 can meat*
    • 1 can vegetables*
    • 1 package paper plates
    • 1 package eating utensils
    • 1 package paper cups
    • adult vitamins
  • To Do
    • Make a plan to check on a neighbor who might need help in an emergency.
• Week 15
  • Hardware Store
    • extra flashlight batteries
    • masking tape
    • hammer
    • assorted nails
    • "L" brackets to secure tall furniture to wall studs
    • wood screws
  • To do
    • Brace shelves and cabinets
• Week 16
  • Grocery Store
    • 1 can meat*
    • 1 can vegetables*
    • 1 box large heavy-duty garbage bags
    • facial tissues
    • 1 box quick energy snacks (such as granola bars or raisins)
  • To Do
    • Find out if you have a neighborhood safety organization and join it!
• Week 17
  • Grocery Store
    • 1 box graham crackers
    • assorted plastic containers with lids
    • assorted safety pins
    • dry cereal
  • To Do
    • Arrange for a friend to neighbor to help your children if your are at work.
• Week 18
  • Hardware Store
    • "child proof" latches or other fasteners for your cupboards
    • double-sided tale of Velcro-type fasteners to secure movable objects
  • To Do
    • Pack a "go-pack" in case you need to evacuate.
• Week 19
  • Grocery Store
    • 1 box large heavy-duty garbage bags
    • 1 box quick energy snacks (such as granola bars or raisins)
  • To Do
    • Have a disaster drill at home.
• Week 20
  • Hardware Store
    • camping or utility knife
    • extra radio batteries
      /Also: purchase an emergency escape ladder for second story bedrooms, if needed.
  • To Do
    • Find out about your workplace disaster plans.
• Week 21
  • Hardware Store
    • heavy duty work gloves
    • 1 box disposable dust masks
    • screwdriver
    • plastic safety goggles
• Week 22
  • Grocery Store
    • extra hand operated can opener
    • 3 rolls paper towels
• Week 23
  • Hardware Store
    • battery powered camping lantern with extra battery or extra flashlights
• Week 24
  • Grocery Store
    • large plastic food bags
    • plastic wrap
    • aluminum foil

• Canned Meat
  • tuna, chicken, raviolis, chili, beef stew, spam, corned beef, etc.
• Vegetables
  • green beans, kernel corn, peas, beets, kidney beans, carrots, etc.
• Fruit
  • pears, peaches, mandarin oranges, applesauce, etc.
• Cereal
  • Cheerios, Chex, Kix, Shredded Wheat, etc.
• Quick Energy Snacks
  • granola bars, raisins, hard candies, etc.

• be in a back pack or other similar container that is easily carried.
• contain your most important items such as a change of clothes, quarters for pay phones, out-of-state contact info, medications, important papers, etc.