Emergency Preparedness lists and info

Posted on: April 16th, 2015

Here is what the Town Meeting asked for from SafeLink: links to some lists of suggested foods (and possibly medical supplies) to store for two week preparedness, as suggested by FEMA, Red Cross, and Centers for Disease Control.

The only website that has suggested quantities per person is (3) below.

First wrt medicines: 
Have a good home first aid kit.
Make sure you have enough of your prescription medicine for at least two weeks.

There are three main sources of information in here: 
1) FEMA: ready.gov–text
2) Red Cross pdf link
3) Food Calculator from LDS link–answers the often-asked,
“what quantities do I need to store?”
4) and a few words from the CDC

1) From FEMA: http://www.ready.gov
“you may want to consider having supplies for sheltering for up to two weeks.”

  • Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits, vegetables and a can opener
  • 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 foods

Maintaining Your Supply Kit
Just as important as putting your supplies together is maintaining them so they are safe to use when needed. Here are some tips to keep your supplies ready and in good condition:

  • Keep canned food in a cool, dry place.
  • Store boxed food in tightly closed plastic or metal containers to protect from pests and to extend its shelf life.
  • Throw out any canned good that becomes swollen, dented or corroded.
  • Use foods before they go bad and replace them with fresh supplies.
  • Place new items at the back of the storage area and older ones in the front.
  • Change stored food and water supplies every six months. Be sure to write the date you store it on all containers.
  • Re-think your needs every year and update your kit as your family’s needs change.

Kit Storage Locations
Since you do not know where you will be when an emergency occurs, prepare supplies for home, work, and vehicles.

Allow people to drink according to their needs.Never ration drinking water unless ordered to do so by authorities. Drink the amount you need today and try to find more for tomorrow. Under no circumstances should a person drink less than one quart (four cups) of water each day. You can minimize the amount of water your body needs by reducing activity and staying cool.

Drink water that you know is not contaminated first.  If necessary, suspicious water, such as cloudy water from regular faucets or water from streams or ponds, can be used after it has been treated. If water treatment is not possible, put off drinking suspicious water as long as possible, but do not become dehydrated.

Do not drink carbonated beverages instead of drinking water.
Carbonated beverages do not meet drinking-water requirements. Caffeinated drinks and alcohol dehydrate the body, which increases the need for drinking water.

Turn off the main water valves.
You will need to protect the water sources already in your home from contamination if you hear reports of broken water or sewage lines or if local officials advise you of a problem.

To close the incoming water source, locate the in coming valve and turn it to the closed position. Be sure you and your family members know how to perform this important procedure.

Effectiveness of Water Treatment

Methods Kills
Microbes
Removes other contaminants (heavy metals, salts, and most other chemicals)
Boiling Yes No
Chlorination Yes No
Distillation Yes Yes

2) Red Cross pdf on food preparedness

https://www.redcross.org/images/MEDIA_CustomProductCatalog/m4440181_Food_and_Water-English.revised_7-09.pdf


3) Food Storage Calculator:
The Latter Day Saints in Utah, well-known as masters of
preparedness, have an online calculator of how much to store:
http://lds.about.com/library/bl/faq/blcalculator.htm

4) And a few words from the Centers for Disease Control
 http://emergency.cdc.gov/preparedness/kit/disasters/

  • Consider storing two weeks-worth of food supplies. You may be able to use many of the canned goods and dry mixes already in your cupboard.
  • Store a supply of water for each member of your family – that means 1 gallon per person per day.
  • Don’t forget about pets; they’ll need food and water too.
  • Learn where your gas, electric, and water shut-off locations are and how to turn them off.