BUILD A KIT   Make sure you and your family has enough emergency food and water to see you through the first several days of a disaster. Depending on the severity and location of the catastrophe, it may take time for help to arrive and shelters and food to become available. For convenience, you may want to purchase a Red Cross disaster kit.     HELPFUL TIPS As a general rule, you should store three days worth of supplies. If room and resources allow, store more. Replace emergency food and water supplies every six months unless otherwise noted on the packaging Make sure your kit is easily accessible. When a disaster hits, you don’t want to dig in the back of the attic for your supplies. Keep smaller versions of your disaster kit in your family vehicles and at work. Prioritize. Don’t get overwhelmed by the need to get everything on the list. Kits don’t have to take up a lot of room and you may already have a lot of the supplies around your house. Focus on the essentials (water, food and medications) and build from there. Some people find it helpful to have a disaster calendar and add one or two items to their kit every time they go to the grocery/hardware/discount store. YOUR 3-DAY DISASTER KIT SHOULD INCLUDE:      1. WATER     Store at least one gallon of water per person per day (two quarts for drinking and two quarts for sanitation and food preparation. Children, nursing mothers and ill people will need more). Store water in plastic containers such as soft drink bottles. Avoid using anything that may decompose or break. Water should be replaced every six months.      Purchase Red Cross emergency water     2. FOOD     Store at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food. Select foods that are compact and lightweight, require no refrigeration, preparation or cooking and little or no water. If you must heat food, pack a can of sterno, but use outside and away from flammable objects. Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits and vegetables. Emergency food bars Canned juices Staples (salt, sugar, pepper, etc.) Food/formula for infants Food for family members with special dietary requirements Vitamins Comfort/stress foods to lift morale (chocolate) Remember to pack a non-electric can opener.     3. FIRST AID KIT (20) adhesive bandages, various sizes 5" x 9" sterile dressing Conforming roller gauze bandage Triangular bandages 3 x 3 sterile gauze pads 4 x 4 sterile gauze pads Roll 3" cohesive bandage Germicidal hand wipes or waterless alcohol-based hand sanitizer Six (6) antiseptic wipes Pair large medical grade non-latex gloves Adhesive tape, 2" width Anti-bacterial ointment Cold pack Scissors (small, personal) Tweezers CPR breathing barrier, such as a face shield Purchase a Red Cross First Aid kit or get trained in First Aid.     4. MEDICATIONS, MEDICAL SUPPLIES AND INFORMATION   Keep enough essential medications on hand for at least three days (preferably seven days). Keep a photocopy of your medical insurance cards or Medicare cards. Keep a list of prescription medicines including dosage, and any allergies.  Aspirin, antacids, anti-diarrhea, etc. Extra eyeglasses, hearing-aid batteries, wheelchair batteries, oxygen tank.  List of the style and serial numbers of medical devices such as pacemakers.  Label any equipment, such as wheelchairs, canes or walkers that you would need. Instructions on personal assistance needs and how best to provide them. Individuals with special needs or disabilities should plan to have enough supplies to last for up to two weeks (medication syringes, colostomy supplies, respiratory aids, catheters, padding, distilled water, etc.).   5. TOOL AND SUPPLIES     Keep some of these basic tools: Battery operated radio and extra batteries Flashlight and extra batteries Cash or travelers checks A copy of your disaster plan and emergency contact numbers. Map of your city and state (to evacuate the area and/or to find shelters) Utility knife Non-electric can opener Fire extinguisher:  small canister ABC type Pliers and wrench Tape Waterproof matches Paper, pens and pencils Needles, thread Plastic sheeting Aluminum foil Purchase Red Cross supplies.      6. SANITATION SUPPLIES Toilet paper, towelettes Soap, liquid detergent Feminine supplies Personal hygiene items Diapers Plastic garbage bags, ties (for personal sanitation uses) Plastic bucket with tight lid Disinfectant Household chlorine bleach Hand sanitizer 7. CLOTHING AND BEDDING     Include at least one complete change of clothing and a pair of sturdy shoes per person. You also want to consider packing blankets or sleeping bags, rain gear, hats and gloves, thermal underwear and sunglasses.     8. IMPORTANT FAMILY DOCUMENTS   Keep copies of important family documents in a waterproof container. Will, insurance policies, contracts, deeds, stocks and bonds Social security cards, passports, immigration papers, immunization records Bank account numbers Credit card account numbers and companies Family records (birth, marriage, death certificates) Medical insurance and Medicare cards  9. ENTERTAINMENT Deck of cards Books Portable music device For children, include a small toy, stuffed animal or coloring book and crayons Download flyer: English, Spanish