What's in your flood kit?
WATER
Store one gallon of water per person per day (two quarts for drinking, two quarts for food preparation/sanitation).Keep at least a three-day supply of water for each person in your household.
Rotate all water - even commercially prepared bottled "spring" or "drinking" water - at least every six months.
If you use tap water that is chemically treated (by a commercial water company, for instance), do not add bleach or other agents to the water.
If you use water that is not chemically treated (water from a well or spring, for example), add two drops of liquid household bleach per gallon of water. The only active ingredient in the bleach should be 5.25 percent sodium hypochlorite. There should not be any added fragrances.
If you use commercially prepared "spring" or "drinking" water, keep it in the original sealed container. Once opened, use it. Do not store it again.
If you are uncertain how pure your water source is, purify the water before consuming or storing it. To purify water, follow these steps:
1) Filter the water to remove as many solids as possible.
2) Bring the water to a rolling boil for 10 minutes.
3) Let the water cool at least 30 minutes.
4) Add eight drops of liquid household bleach per gallon of cool water. (Water must be cool or the chlorine will not work. The only active ingredient in the bleach should be 5.25 percent sodium hypochlorite. There should not be any added soap or fragrances).
5) Let the water stand at least 30 minutes.
6) If the water smells of chlorine, you can use it. If it does not smell of chlorine, add eight more drops of chlorine bleach, let stand 30 minutes and smell again. If it smells of chlorine, you can use it. If the water does not smell of chlorine this time, discard it and find another water source.
FOOD
Store at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food in your flood kit. Select foods that require no refrigeration, preparation or cooking and little or no water. If you must heat food, pack a can of sterno. Recommended foods:
Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits and vegetables
Canned juices, milk and soup (if powdered, store extra water)
Staples such as sugar, salt and pepper
High-energy foods such as peanut butter, jelly, crackers, granola bars and trail mix
Vitamins
Foods for infants, seniors or persons on special diets
Comfort/stress foods such as cookies, hard candy, sweetened cereals, lollipops, instant coffee and tea bags
If the electricity is off, first use up perishable food from the refrigerator. Second, use up foods from the freezer. Foods in a well-insulated freezer won't begin to spoil for several days. Open your freezer as infrequently and for the shortest time possible. Third, begin to use non-perishable foods and staples.
FIRST AID
Assemble a first aid kit for your home and one for each car, to include: adhesive bandages, scissors, gauze pads, tweezers, needle, hypoallergenic adhesive tape, moistened towelettes, triangular bandages, antiseptic, roller bandages, thermometer, tongue blades, petroleum jelly or other lubricant, safety pins, cleansing agent/soap, latex gloves and sunscreen.
Also include non-prescription drugs: aspirin or non-aspirin pain reliever, anti-diarrhea medication, antacid, syrup of ipecac (use to induce vomiting if advised by the Poison Control Center), laxative, and activated charcoal (use if advised by the Poison Control Center).
TOOLS AND SUPPLIES
Paper cups, plates and plastic utensils
Emergency preparedness manual
Battery-operated radio and extra batteries
Flashlight and extra batteries
Cash or traveler's checks, change
Non-electric can opener, utility knife
Fire extinguisher
Tube tent
Pliers
Tape
Compass
Matches in a waterproof container
Aluminum foil
Plastic storage containers
Signal flare
Paper, pencil
Needles, thread
Medicine dropper
Shut-off wrench, to turn off household gas and water
Whistle
Plastic sheeting
Map of area for locating shelters
SANITATION
Toilet paper, towelettes
Soap, liquid detergent
Feminine supplies
Personal hygiene items
Plastic garbage bags, ties (for personal sanitation uses)
Plastic bucket with tight lid
Disinfectant
Household chlorine bleach
CLOTHING AND BEDDING
Include at least one complete change of clothing and footwear per person.
Sturdy shoes or work boots
Hat and gloves
Rain gear
Thermal underwear
Blankets or sleeping bags
Sunglasses
SPECIAL ITEMS
Remember family members with special needs, such as infants and elderly or disabled persons.
FOR BABY: Formula/powdered milk, diapers, medications, bottles
FOR ADULTS: Heart and high blood pressure medication, insulin, prescription drugs, denture needs, contact lenses and supplies, extra eye glasses
IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS
Keep these records in a waterproof, portable container:
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
Birth, marriage, death certificates
- Compiled by Staff Writer Eric Becker
