excellent listing Ray. One small item we had a problem finding is the " strike anywhere " stick matche's. one good brand is called " Ohio blue tip". depending on family size one might consider what I call food stored in number ten or 6 to 7 pound cans. such as pork 'n beans/ fruit cocktail and others. these cans once used can be a part of a helpful heater. so this posting reminds me also we did not replace the flares in our van. thanks much.Lee
On Sat, Nov 01, 2008 at 02:42:27PM +1100, Ray Boyce wrote: > You may need to survive on your own after a disaster. This means having your > own food, water, and other supplies in sufficient quantity to last for at > least three days. Local officials and relief workers will be on the scene > after a disaster, but they cannot reach everyone immediately. You could get > help in hours, or it might take days. > > Basic services such as electricity, gas, water, sewage treatment, and > telephones may be cut off for days, or even a week or longer. Or, you may > have to evacuate at a moment's notice and take essentials with you. You > probably will not have the opportunity to shop or search for the supplies > you need. > > A disaster supplies kit is a collection of basic items that members of a > household may need in the event of a disaster. > > Kit Locations > > Since you do not know where you will be when an emergency occurs, prepare > supplies for home, work, and vehicles. > > > Home > > Work > > Car > > > Your disaster supplies kit should contain essential food, water, and > supplies for at least three days. > > Keep this kit in a desig-nated place and have it ready in case you have to > leave your home quickly. Make sure all family members know where the kit is > kept. > > Additionally, you may want to consider having supplies for sheltering for up > to two weeks. > > This kit should be in one container, and ready to "grab and go" in case you > are evacuated from your workplace. > > Make sure you have food and water in the kit. Also, be sure to have > com-fortable walking shoes at your workplace in case an evacuation requires > walking long distances. > > In case you are strand-ed, keep a kit of emer-gency supplies in your car. > > This kit should contain food, water, first aid supplies, flares, jumper > cables, and seasonal supplies. > > Water > > How Much Water do I Need? > You should store at least one gallon of water per person per day. A normally > active person needs at least one-half gallon of water daily just for > drinking. > > Additionally, in determining adequate quantities, take the following into > account: > > * Individual needs vary, depending on age, physical condition, > activity, diet, and climate. > * Children, nursing mothers, and ill people need more water. > * Very hot temperatures can double the amount of water needed. > * A medical emergency might require additional water. > > How Should I Store Water? > To prepare safest and most reliable emergency supply of water, it is > recommended you purchase commercially bottled water. Keep bottled water in > its original container and do not open it until you need to use it. > > Observe the expiration or "use by" date. > > If you are preparing your own containers of water > It is recommended you purchase food-grade water storage containers from > surplus or camping supplies stores to use for water storage. Before filling > with water, thoroughly clean the containers with dishwashing soap and water, > and rinse completely so there is no residual soap. Follow directions below > on filling the container with water. > > If you choose to use your own storage containers, choose two-liter plastic > soft drink bottles - not plastic jugs or cardboard containers that have had > milk or fruit juice in them. Milk protein and fruit sugars cannot be > adequately removed from these containers and provide an environment for > bacterial growth when water is stored in them. Cardboard containers also > leak easily and are not designed for long-term storage of liquids. Also, do > not use glass containers, because they can break and are heavy. > > If storing water in plastic soda bottles, follow these steps > Thoroughly clean the bottles with dishwashing soap and water, and rinse > completely so there is no residual soap.Sanitize the bottles by adding a > solution of 1 teaspoon of non-scented liquid household chlorine bleach to a > quart of water. Swish the sanitizing solution in the bottle so that it > touches all surfaces. After sanitizing the bottle, thoroughly rinse out the > sanitizing solution with clean water. > > Filling water containers > Fill the bottle to the top with regular tap water. If the tap water has been > commercially treated from a water utility with chlorine, you do not need to > add anything else to the water to keep it clean. If the water you are using > comes from a well or water source that is not treated with chlorine, add two > drops of non-scented liquid household chlorine bleach to the water.Tightly > close the container using the original cap. Be careful not to contaminate > the cap by touching the inside of it with your finger. Place a date on the > outside of the container so that you know when you filled it. Store in a > cool, dark place.Replace the water every six months if not using > commercially bottled water. > > Food > > The following are things to consider when putting together your food > supplies: > > * Avoid foods that will make you thirsty. Choose salt-free crackers, > whole grain cereals, and canned foods with high liquid content. > * Stock canned foods, dry mixes, and other staples that do not require > refrigeration, cooking, water, or special preparation. You may already have > many of these on hand. (Note: Be sure to include a manual can opener.) > * Include special dietary needs. > > Image of family gathering food supplies for disaster supplies kit > > Basic Disaster Supplies Kit > > The following items are recommended for inclusion in your basic disaster > supplies kit: > > * Three-day supply of non-perishable food. > * Three-day supply of water - one gallon of water per person, per day. > * Portable, battery-powered radio or television and extra batteries. > * Flashlight and extra batteries. > * First aid kit and manual. > * Sanitation and hygiene items (moist towelettes and toilet paper). > * Matches and waterproof container. > * Whistle. > * Extra clothing. > * Kitchen accessories and cooking utensils, including a can opener. > * Photocopies of credit and identification cards. > * Cash and coins. > * Special needs items, such as prescription medications, eye glasses, > contact lens solutions, and hearing aid batteries. > * Items for infants, such as formula, diapers, bottles, and pacifiers. > * Other items to meet your unique family needs. > > If you live in a cold climate, you must think about warmth. It is possible > that you will not have heat. Think about your clothing and bedding supplies. > Be sure to include one complete change of clothing and shoes per person, > including: > > * Jacket or coat. > * Long pants. > * Long sleeve shirt. > * Sturdy shoes. > * Hat, mittens, and scarf. > * Sleeping bag or warm blanket (per person). > > Be sure to account for growing children and other family changes. See > Appendix B for a detailed checklist of disaster supplies. You may want to > add some of the items listed to your basic disaster supplies kit depending > on the specific needs of your family. > > Maintaining Your Disaster Supplies 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 foods in a dry place where the temperature is cool. > * 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 > needs change. > * Keep items in airtight plastic bags and put your entire disaster > supplies kit in one or two easy-to-carry containers, such as an unused > trashcan, camping backpack, or duffel bag. > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > -- Bank error in your favor. Collect $200. 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