EachWeek

Congratulations! You have decided to BePrepared!

I think putting together disaster supplies should be done over one weekend, so that you do not forget anything. But if you cannot do that, here is a week by week schedule to create a fantastic kit. Most weeks include grocery or hardware store shopping and a few items to do.

Items marked with + should be purchased for each member of the household.

Week 1:

• 1 gallon water +
• 1 jar peanut butter +
• 1 large can juice +
• 1 can meat +
• hand operated can opener
• instant coffee, tea, gatorade
• permanent marking pen to date cans
• TODO: check your house for hazards
• Also: pet food, diapers, baby food. Remember 1 gallon water for each pet.

Week 2

• plumbing strap
• crowbar
• smoke detector with batteries
• TODO: install or test your smoke detector
• TODO: anchor water heater to wall studs using plumbing strap
• Also: pet leash or carrier

Week 3

• 1 gallon water +
• 1 can meat +
• 1 can fruit +
• sanitary napkins
• adult vitamins
• TODO: locate your gas meter and water shutoffs and attach a wrench that fits near them
• TODO: show your family where the gas and water shutoffs are located
• Also: pet food, diapers, baby food. Remember 1 gallon water for each pet.

Week 4

• crescent wrench
• heavy rope
• duct tape
• 2 flashlights with batteries
• bungee cords
• TODO: place a pair of sturdy shoes and a flashlight under each bed so that they are handy during an emergency.
• Also: extra medications or a prescription marked "emergency use"

Week 5

• 1 gallon water +
• 1 can meat +
• 1 can fruit +
• 1 can vegetable +
• 2 rolls toilet paper +
• extra toothbrush +
• travel size toothpaste +
• TODO: make an earthquake plan with your family
• TODO: pratice duck, cover and hold
• Also: special food for special diets (vegans, peanut allergies)

Week 6

• aspirin and/or acetaminophen
• compresses
• rolls of gauze or bandages
• first aid tape
• adhesive bandages in assorted sizes
• TODO: store a roll of quarters for emergency phone calls
• TODO: go on a hunt with your family to find a pay phone near home and work
• Also: extra hearing aid batteries

Week 7

• child-proof latches or other fasteners for your cupboards
• double sided tape or velcro tape fasteners to secure heavy objects
• TODO: brace shelves and cabinets
• Also: items for denture care

Week 8

• 1 gallon water +
• 1 can ready to eat soup +
• 1 can fruit +
• 1 can vegetables +
• children's vitamins
• TODO: pack a bug-out bag in case you need to evacuate

• mark your calendar six months from today as a food and water check day, or do it on the TimeChange

Week 9

• scissors
• tweezers
• antiseptic
• liquid hand soap
• disposable hand wipes
• sewing kit
• and other first aid supplies you use often
• TODO: establish an out of state contact to call in case of emergency
• Also: extra eyeglasses

Week 10

• 1 can ready to eat soup +
• liquid dish soap
• plain (unscented) liquid bleach
• 1 box heavy duty garbage bags
• TODO: plan and pratice Exit Drills In The Home (EDITH)
• Also: saline solution and a contact lens case

Week 11

• waterproof portable plastic container (with lid) for important papers
• portable AM/FM radio (with batteries)
• TODO: check with your kid's school for their disaster plans
• TODO: arange for a friend or neighbor to help your children if you are at work
• Also: blankets or sleeping bag for each family member

Week 12

• 1 large can juice
• large plastic food bags
• 1 box quick energy snacks
• 3 rolls paper towels
• TODO: sign up for CPR, First Aid, or NERT/CERT courses

Week 13

• anti-diarrhea medicine
• rubbing alcohol
• box of disposable vinyl (or latex or nitrile) gloves
• ipecac syrup and activated charcoal (for accidental poisonings)
• TODO: find out if you have a neighborhood safety organization and join it
• TODO: plan to check on a neighbor who might need help in an emergency
• Also: sunscreen

Week 14

• whistle
• ABC fire extinguisher
• pliers
• vise grips
• TODO: find out about your workplace disaster plans
• Also: purchase an emergency escape ladder for second story bedrooms

Week 15

• 1 can fruit +
• 1 can fruit +
• 1 can vegetables +
• 1 package paper plates
• 1 package eating utensils
• 1 package paper cups (NM says: add old bike bottles too)
• video tape (NM asks: anyone know why?)

Week 16

• extra flashlight batteries
• duct tape
• hammer
• assorted nails
• L brackets to secure tall furniture to wall studs
• wood screws
• TODO: make photocopies of important papers and store safely
• TODO: sendsome of your favourite family photos (or copies) to family members out of state for safekeeping

Week 17

• 1 can meat +
• 1 can vegetables +
• 1 box large heavy-duty garbage bags
• facias tissues
• 1 box quick energy snacks

Week 18

• 1 box graham crackers (what, no marshmallows and chocolate?)
• assorted plastic containers with lids
• assorted safety pins
• dry cereal

Week 19

• 1 box large heavy duty garbage bags (these really do make excellent toilets, rain shelters, etc)
• 1 box quick energy snacks

Week 20

• camping or utility knife
• extra radio batteries

Week 21

• extra hand operated can opener
• 3 rolls paper towels

Week 22

• heavy work glaves
• 1 box disposable dust masks
• screwdriver
• plastic safety goggles

Week 23

• batter powered camping latern with extra battery; extra flashlights

Week 24

• large plastic food bags
• plastic wrap
• aluminum foil

Week 25

• Think about other items you will need, specific for your location. A golf umbrella for shade? Long underwear for the cold?
• Think about other items you want. What will boost your morale? Chocolate? Condoms? Gravity's Rainbow and all those other books you never had time to read?

Week 26

• Share this list with friends and neighbors

Notes:

If you want to get started today, take a tour of your house and make a mental note of the supplies you already have on hand.

Plan on two kinds of emergencies: sheltering in place, and getting out quickly. Have plans and supplies for both!

In a disaster, there is enough stress without your family having to eat foods they don't like. Select foods based on your family's needs and preferences. Whenever possible, pick low-salt, water-packed varieties. Including comfort foods will make the process of rotating supplies every six to twelve months more enjoyable! And in a disaster, who wouldn't eat an Oreo?

Suggested foods:

• Canned Meats: tuna, chicken, ravioli, chili, beef stew, Spam, corned beef
• Canned Veggies: green beans, kernal corn, peas, beets, kidney beans, carrots
• Canned Fruits: pears, peaches, mandarin oranges, apple sauce
• Other: cereals, granola bars, trail mix, raisins, unsalted nuts

Store your supplies in a large plastic garbage can, perhaps one with wheels. Food may be kept in the disaster kit or on kitchen shelves. When deciding where to store your kit, think about how accessible it will be after a disaster. Remember to rotate your perishable supplies and change water every six months.

This list based on literature provided by the Belvedere-Tiburon Disaster Advisory Council.