Hurricane Season: Disaster Kit

So what exactly goes into a disaster kit?  Planning for more than just a hurricane.  I've copied some tips from the Ready South Texas website:

Food and Water:

Water

	One gallon of water per person per day, for drinking and sanitation.
	Children, nursing mothers, and sick people may need more water.
	If you live in a warm weather climate more water may be necessary.
	Store water tightly in clean plastic containers such as soft drink bottles.
	Keep at least a three-day supply of water per person.

Food

	Store at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food.
	Select foods that require no refrigeration, preparation or cooking and little or no water.
	Pack a manual can opener and eating utensils.
	Choose foods your family will eat: Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits and vegetables Protein or fruit bars Dry cereal or granola Peanut butter Dried fruit Nuts Crackers Canned juices Non-perishable pasteurized milk High energy foods Vitamins Food for infants Comfort/stress foo

Medical Supplies:
Things you should have:

	Two pairs of Latex, or other sterile gloves (if you are allergic to Latex).
	Sterile dressings to stop bleeding.
	Cleansing agent/soap and antibiotic towelettes to disinfect.
	Antibiotic ointment to prevent infection.
	Burn ointment to prevent infection.
	Adhesive bandages in a variety of sizes.
	Eye wash solution to flush the eyes or as general decontaminant.
	Thermometer (Read more: Biological Threat)
	Prescription medications you take every day such as insulin, heart medicine and asthma inhalers. You should periodically rotate medicines to account for expiration dates.
	Prescribed medical supplies such as glucose and blood pressure monitoring equipment and supplies.

Things it may be good to have:

	Cell Phone
	Scissors
	Tweezers
	Tube of petroleum jelly or other lubricant

Non-prescription drugs:

	Aspirin or nonaspirin pain reliever
	Anti-diarrhea medication
	Antacid (for upset stomach)
	Laxative

Special Needs:
For baby:

	Formula
	Diapers
	Bottles
	Powdered milk
	Medications
	Moist towelettes
	Diaper rash ointment

For adults:

	Ask your doctor about storing prescription medications such as heart and high blood pressure medication, insulin and other prescription drugs.
	Denture needs
	Contact lenses and supplies
	Extra eye glasses

For seniors:

	Plan how you will evacuate or signal for help.
	Plan emergency procedures with home health care agencies or workers.
	Tell others where you keep your emergency supplies.
	Teach others how to operate necessary equipment.
	Label equipment like wheelchairs, canes or walkers.

Additional supplies for seniors:

	List of prescription medications including dosage in your supply kits. Include any allergies.
	Extra eyeglasses and hearing-aid batteries.
	Extra wheelchair batteries or other special equipment in your supply kit.
	A list of the style and serial numbers of medical devices such as pacemakers in your emergency supply kits.
	Copies of medical insurance and Medicare cards.
	List of doctors and emergency contacts.

For People with Disabilities:

	Create a support network to help in an emergency.
	Tell these people where you keep your emergency supplies.
	Give one member of your support network a key to your house or apartment.
	Contact your city or county government's emergency information management office. Many local offices keep lists of people with disabilities so they can be located quickly in a sudden emergency.
	Wear medical alert tags or bracelets to help identify your disability.
	If you are dependent on dialysis or other life sustaining treatment, know the location and availability of more than one facility.
	Show others how to operate your wheelchair.
	Know the size and weight of your wheelchair, in addition to whether or not it is collapsible, in case it has to be transported.

Additional Supplies for People with Disabilities:

	Prescription medicines, list of medications including dosage, list of any allergies.
	Extra eyeglasses, hearing aid batteries and cane.
	Extra wheelchair batteries, oxygen.
	Scooter or wheelchair patch kit, extra inner tubes and other repair supplies. Also include heavy gloves for wheeling over glass and debris.
	Keep a list of the style and serial number of medical devices.
	Medical insurance and Medicare cards.
	List of doctors, relatives or friends who should be notified if you are hurt.

Other items to consider:

	Pads and pencils for communication and/or to keep track of instructions you may receive
	Power converter for communicating with a lap top computer
	Animal supplies

A Portable Kit:
Emergency supplies
Water, food, and clean air are the essential items for survival. Each family or individual's kit should be customized to meet specific needs, such as medications and infant formula. It should also be customized to include important family documents.

Recommended supplies to include in a portable kit:

	Water, amounts for portable kits will vary. Individuals should determine what amount they are able to both store comfortably outside the home and be able to transport to other locations
	Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
	Battery-powered radio and extra batteries
	Flashlight and extra batteries
	First Aid kit
	Whistle to signal for help
	Dust mask or cotton t-shirt, to help filter the air
	Moist towelettes for sanitation
	Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
	Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food)
	Plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
	Infant formula and diapers, if you have an infant
	Garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation

So after all this- what was the one thing not on the list?? 

TOILET PAPER!


I would buy at least a 4 pack if I were evacuating.  Think about this, if you are leaving an area along with a few hundred thousand other people, and have to stop at rest stops, what is the first thing that's going to be gone?

These kits are good for preparation for other disasters too.  Not only hurricanes, but also earthquakes, blizzards (although you may want to add a heavy coat or sleeping bag), fires, or flooding.