Emergency Preparedness List

From SFgate.com

"People should expect to spend at least 72 hours -- if not more -- on their own, taking care of themselves with very little help from emergency responders, who will be either overwhelmed or unable to get to a lot of places," Sarah Nathe, a disaster planner at University of California at Berkeley's Disaster-Resistant University project, told the Chronicle in October 1999.


In order to prepare for another such disaster SF Gate has compiled a list of supplies the American Red Cross recommends you keep on hand.
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WATER | FOOD | FIRST AID
TOOLS, SUPPLIES | SANITATION
CLOTHES, BEDDING | DOCUMENTS


WATER

• A three-day supply of water for everyone. One gallon per person per day. Don't forget your pets.
  
• Store the water in opaque plastic containers such as soft drink bottles and put it somewhere easy to reach after the shaking stops.
  
• Change this water every six months and treat with chlorine bleach when you use it.
  

FOOD

• Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits, vegetables.
  
• Canned juices, milk, soup
  
• Sugar, salt, pepper
  
• High energy foods such as peanut butter, jelly, crackers, granola bars, trail mix; foods that will not increase thirst.
  
• Vitamins
  
• Foods for infants, elderly, persons with special dietary needs
  
• Comfort/stress foods: cookies, hard candy, sweetened cereals, lollipops, instant coffee, tea bags.
  
• Pet food, at least one ounce per animal pound per day.
  
• Avoid foods like rice, pasta and dry beans that require a great deal of water to prepare. Remember to restock your food once a year.
  
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FIRST AID KIT

• Sterile adhesive bandages in assorted sizes
  
• Assorted sizes of safety pins
  
• Cleansing agent/soap
  
• Latex gloves (2 pairs)
  
• Sunscreen
  
• 2-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6)
  
• 4-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6)
  
• Triangular bandages (3)
  
• Non-prescription drugs such as Pain relievers, Anti-diarrhea medicines, Antacid, Syrup of Ipecac (used to induce vomiting with the advice of a Poison Control Center), Laxatives, Activated charcoal (used with advice from the Poison Control Center)
  
• Various roller bandages
  
• Scissors
  
• Tweezers
  
• Needle
  
• Moistened towelettes
  
• Antiseptic
  
• Thermometer
  
• Tongue blades (2)
  
• Tube of petroleum jelly or other lubricant
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TOOLS AND SUPPLIES

• Paper cups, plates, and plastic utensils
  
• Battery-operated radio and extra batteries
  
• Flashlight and extra batteries
  
• Cash or traveler's checks, in case banks are closed in the days following an earthquake
  
• Non-electric can opener or a utility knife
  
• Small fire extinguisher
  
• Pliers
  
• Tape
  
• Matches in a waterproof container
  
• Aluminum foil
  
• Plastic storage containers
  
• Signal flare
  
• Paper, pencil
  
• Needles, thread
  
• Medicine dropper
  
• Wrench, to turn off gas and water
  
  
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SANITATION

• Toilet paper
  
• Soap, liquid detergent
  
• Feminine supplies
  
• Plastic garbage bags and ties
  
• Plastic bucket with tight lid
  
• Disinfectant
  
• Household chlorine bleach
  
• Poop bags and scooper for pet waste
  
  
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CLOTHING AND BEDDING

• Sturdy shoes or work boots (keep near your bed)
  
• Rain gear
  
• Blankets or sleeping bags
  
• Warm clothing
  
• Sunglasses
  
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DOCUMENTS

• Will, insurance policies, contracts deeds, stocks and bonds
  
• Passports, social security cards, immunization records
  
• Bank account numbers
  
• Credit card account numbers and companies
  
• Inventory of valuable household goods, important telephone numbers
  
• Family records (birth, marriage, death certificates)
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**Remember to include special needs family members such as a baby or an older person might have. It is also good to store in a water proof plastic bag important family documents (passports, wills, medical records etc.) along with your earthquake survival kit.

SOURCE: Chronicle, American Red Cross, Disaster Preparedness Handbook, City of Berkeley