Keep enough supplies in your home to survive on your own, or shelter in place, for at least three days. If possible, keep these materials in an easily accessible, separate container or special cupboard. One possibility is to store all the emergency supplies in large, black garbage bags in a clean, rain proof garbage can stored outside in a secure location. Check expiration dates of food and update your kits when you change your clock during daylight-savings time. Here is a starter list for your kit. Add to it to meet the special needs of your family.
- One gallon of drinking water per person per day
- Non-perishable, ready-to-eat canned foods and manual can opener
- First aid kit
- Flashlight
- Battery-operated AM/FM radio with extra batteries
- Whistle
- Iodine tablets or one quart of unscented bleach for disinfecting water
- Personal hygiene items: soap, toilet paper, large black garbage bags, feminine hygiene products, toothbrush and toothpaste, etc.
- Child care supplies or other special care items
- Blankets or sleeping bags
This message is brought to you by The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program, which educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. Using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises, CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help. CERT members also are encouraged to support emergency response agencies by taking a more active role in emergency preparedness projects in their community.
Find out more about this program at Redwood City’s CERT website