TIPS TO PREPARE AN EMERGENCY SUPPLY KIT
Richland Center, WI: Richland County Health & Human Services recommends preparing an emergency kit for your family to keep them safe and healthy during a disaster. If a disaster strikes in your community, you might not have access to food, water, or electricity for several days. You may think that you will have enough time to run to the grocery store, but stores quickly sell out of important supplies following emergency warnings. Unfortunately, about half of adults in the United States do not have the resources and plans in place for a possible emergency.
Here’s what you’ll need in an Emergency Supply Kit:
At Least a 3-day Supply of Food and Water
• One gallon per person, per day
• Foods that are easy to make and won’t spoil, like canned soup, dry pasta, and powdered milk
• Manual can opener
• Basic utensils to prepare and serve meals
Health Supplies
• 3-day supply of all medicines, at a minimum
• Medical supplies like syringes, a walking cane, or hearing aids with extra batteries
Personal Care Items
• Soap
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Baby wipes
• Contact lenses or glasses
Safety Supplies
• First aid kit
• Emergency blanket
• Multipurpose tool (that can act as a knife, file, pliers, and screwdriver)
• Whistle
Electronics
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) provides weather updates during emergencies. Look for a radio labeled “NOAA Weather Radio.”
• Flashlight, extra batteries
• Radio (battery-powered, solar, or hand-crank) for updates on the situation
• Cell phone with chargers
Documents
Keep copies of your important documents, cash, spare keys, and maps in you emergency supply kit.
• Copies of important documents such as insurance cards and immunization records
• Paperwork about any serious or on-going medical condition
• Your completed family emergency plan, complete with family and emergency contact information.
You should also keep
• Extra cash
• Maps of the area
• Extra set of car keys and house keys
Richland County Health & Human Services Public Health Department: (608) 647-8821
Richland County Flood Information Website: http://co.richland.wi.us