GET A KIT

September is National Preparedness Month sponsored by the US Department of Homeland Security.  The Allegany County Health Department will commemorate National Preparedness Month with a display located in their lobby and with weekly articles in the newspaper throughout the month of September.  The focus will be community preparedness.

All Allegany County residents should have some basic supplies on hand in order to survive for at least two weeks if an emergency occurs.  The following is a list of some basic items that that every emergency supply kit should include:

• Water, one gallon per person per day for at least 3 days, for drinking and sanitation;
• Food, a supply of non-perishable food;
• Battery powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both;
• Flashlight and extra batteries;
• First aid kit;
• Whistle to signal for help;
• Dust mask, to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place.
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties;
• Know how to turn off utilities and have the tools to do so;
• Manual can opener for food (if kit contains canned food); and
• Local maps (these can be printed off the internet from google maps or mapquest).

Additional items that you should consider including in an emergency supply kit include:

• Prescription medications and glasses;
• Infant formula and diapers;
• Pet food and extra water for your pet;
• Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container;
• Cash or traveler’s checks and change;
• Emergency reference material such as a first aid book;
• Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person.  Consider additional bedding if you live in a cold-weather climate;
• Complete change of clothing including a long sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes.  Consider additional clothing if you live a cold-weather climate;
• Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper (when diluted nine parts water and one part bleach, bleach can be used as a disinfectant or in an emergency you can use it to treat water by using 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water.  Do NOT use scented, color safe or bleached with added cleaners);
• Fire extinguishers;
• Matches in waterproof container;
• Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items;
• Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils, paper towels;
• Paper and pencil;
• Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children.

It is important that individuals review this list and consider the unique needs of their family in order to create an emergency supply kit that will meet these needs.  Individuals should also consider having at least two emergency supply kits, one full kit at home and smaller portable kits in their workplace, vehicle or other places they spend time.

Look for next week’s article on making a family emergency plan.

For more information on preparing for an emergency, visit the Allegany County Health Department’s website at www.alleganyhealthdept.com or the Department of Homeland Security’s Readiness website at www.ready.gov.

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