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December
8, 2005
Families Need
Home Emergency Kits
When winter weather
threatens, most people stock their vehicles with at least a few items
that could help them survive if they get stranded.
However, people generally
don’t realize that an emergency preparedness kit for their home
is just as important, according to the North Dakota State University Extension
Service.
“It’s
a matter of thinking ahead a little bit,” says Ken Hellevang, NDSU
Extension Service agricultural engineer.
Here are some tips
on what to include in disaster supplies kit for the home:
- 1 gallon of water
per day per person, with at least a three-day supply
- At least a three-day
supply of nonperishable food that requires no refrigeration or preparation
and little or no water, such as ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits and
vegetables; canned juices; salt, sugar, pepper and other spices; high-energy
foods; food for infants; and comfort foods
- Nonprescription
drugs, such as pain relievers, anti-diarrhea medication, antacid and
laxative, plus syrup of ipecac and activated charcoal in case of poisoning
- A supply of prescription
medication
- Personal items,
such as extra eyeglasses, contact lenses and supplies, denture needs,
baby supplies and vitamins
- Mess kits or paper
plates and cups, and plastic utensils
- Battery-operated
flashlights and radios, and extra batteries
- An adequate supply
of fuel for heaters, stoves, furnaces
- Nonelectric can
opener or utility knife
- Fire extinguisher
- Sanitary supplies,
such as toilet paper, soap, liquid detergent, feminine supplies and
personal hygiene items
- Blankets or sleeping
bags
- First-aid kit,
including adhesive bandages of various sizes, gauze pads, cleansing
agent, medical-grade nonlatex gloves, adhesive tape, antibacterial ointment,
cold pack, tweezers and thermometer
For more information,
check out the Federal Emergency Management Agency Web site at www.fema.gov/hazards/winterstorms/,
the Amercan Red Cross Web site at www.redcross.org/images/pdfs/preparedness/A5055.pdf,
the Extension Disaster Education Network Web site at www.eden.lsu.edu/
or the NDSU Extension Service Web site at www.ag.ndsu.edu/prepare/.
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Source:
Ken Hellevang, (701) 231-7243, kjh-eng@ndsuext.nodak.edu
Editor: Ellen Crawford, (701) 231-5391, ecrawfor@ndsuext.nodak.edu
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