Prepper Supplies & Survival Guide: The Prepping Supplies, Gear & Food You Must Have To Survive

Copyright©2013byNovatoPress,Berkeley,California

Nopartofthispublicationmaybereproduced,storedinaretrievalsystem,ortransmittedinanyformorbyanymeans,electronic,mechanical,photocopying,recording,scanning,orotherwise,exceptaspermittedunderSections107or108ofthe1976UnitedStatesCopyrightAct,withoutthepriorwrittenpermissionofthepublisher.RequeststothepublisherforpermissionshouldbeaddressedtothePermissionsDepartment,NovatoPress,918ParkerSt,SuiteA-12,Berkeley,CA94710.

LimitofLiability/DisclaimerofWarranty:Thepublisherandtheauthormakenorepresentationsorwarrantieswithrespecttotheaccuracyorcompletenessofthecontentsofthisworkandspecificallydisclaimallwarranties,includingwithoutlimitationwarrantiesoffitnessforaparticularpurpose.Nowarrantymaybecreatedorextendedbysalesorpromotionalmaterials.Theadviceandstrategiescontainedhereinmaynotbesuitableforeverysituation.Thisworkissoldwiththeunderstandingthatthepublisherisnotengagedinrenderingmedical,legal,orotherprofessionaladviceorservices.Ifprofessionalassistanceisrequired,theservicesofacompetentprofessionalpersonshouldbesought.Neitherthepublishernortheauthorshallbeliablefordamagesarisingherefrom.Thefactthatanindividual,organization,orwebsiteisreferredtointhisworkasacitationand/orpotentialsourceoffurtherinformationdoesnotmeanthattheauthororthepublisherendorsestheinformationtheindividual,organization,orwebsitemayprovideorrecommendationsthey/itmaymake.Further,readersshouldbeawarethatwebsiteslistedinthisworkmayhavechangedordisappearedbetweenwhenthisworkwaswrittenandwhenitisread.

Forgeneralinformationonourotherproductsandservicesortoobtaintechnicalsupport,pleasecontactourCustomerCareDepartmentwithintheUnitedStatesat(866)744-2665,oroutsidetheUnitedStatesat(510)253-0500.

NovatoPresspublishesitsbooksinavarietyofelectronicandprintformats.Somecontentthatappearsinprintmaynotbeavailableinelectronicbooks,andviceversa.

TRADEMARKS:NovatoPressandtheNovatoPresslogoaretrademarksorregisteredtrademarksofCallistoMedia,and/oritsaffiliates,intheUnitedStatesandothercountries,andmaynotbeusedwithoutwrittenpermission.Allothertrademarksarethepropertyoftheirrespectiveowners.NovatoPressisnotassociatedwithanyproductorvendormentionedinthisbook.

DISCLAIMER:We’vedoneourverybesttogiveyouup-to-dateinformation,butifyoufindthatanitem’spriceissignificantlyhigherthantheonequotedinthisguide,justuseyourpreferredsearchenginetofindoutwhetheryoucangettheitematabetterpricefromanothersource.Ifithappensthatanitemhasgoneoutofstock,youcane-mailthesupplierandaskwhenitmightbecomeavailableagain.Andifallelsefails,youcansearchtheWebforasimilaritem—theInternetisawideandwonderfulplace,andwithalittleeffortyou’revirtuallycertaintofindtheitemwerecommendedandexactlywhatyou’relookingfor.

ISBN:Print978-1-62315-258-1|eBook978-1-62315-278-9

INTRODUCTIONPreparingHouseandMindMentalSuppliesWhatWouldMrs.MiniverDo?HowMuchDoesItCost?

CHAPTER1PreparationBasicsBasicStepstoBePreparedYourGo-BagYour72-HourKit

CHAPTER2WaterSuppliesYou’llNeed:WaterHowtoPurifyWater

CHAPTER3FoodFoodPlanAFoodPlanBSuppliesYou’llNeed:FoodandStorage

CHAPTER4ShelterHowtoShelterinPlaceOutdoors

HowtoShelterinPlaceDuringaChemicalorBiologicalEmergencySuppliesYou’llNeed:ShelteringinPlace

CHAPTER5FirstAidSuppliesYou’llNeed:FirstAidHowtoCreateYourEmergencyFirstAidKit

CHAPTER6LightandPowerIntrinsicallySafeFlashlightSuppliesYou’llNeed:LightandPowerBonusItems

CHAPTER7FireandFuelFireasaThreatSuppliesYou’llNeed:FireasaThreatFireasaToolSuppliesYou’llNeed:FireasaTool

CHAPTER8CommunicationandNavigationHowtoCreateaFamilyCommunicationPlanSuppliesYou’llNeed:CommunicationandNavigationHowtoExtendtheLifeofYourCellPhoneBattery

CHAPTER9HygieneandSanitationSuppliesYou’llNeed:HygieneandSanitation

HowtoMakeanEmergencyToilet

CHAPTER10HeatingandCoolingCoolingDownSuppliesYou’llNeed:CoolingWarmingUpSuppliesYou’llNeed:Heating

CHAPTER11ProtectionHowtoProtectYourHomeSuppliesYou’llNeed:ProtectionAnimalEncounters

CHAPTER12PetSafetyPetSafetyBefore,During,andAfteraDisasterSuppliesYou’llNeed:PetWhattoIncludeinYourPet’sGo-Bag

CHAPTER13AutoPreparednessSuppliesYou’llNeed:CarWhattoPutinYourCarKit

CHAPTER14WorkplacePreparednessThingsYourEmployerNeedstoKnowSuppliesYou’llNeed:Workplace

APPENDIXAGuidelinesforFoodPlanA:FoodStorageGuidelinesPlanB:FoodSupplies

APPENDIXBAdditionalResourcesGovernmentResourcesforPreparednessandEmergenciesNon-GovernmentResourcesforPreparednessandEmergenciesEmergencyServices

Acknowledgments

W

PreparingHouseandMind

hybotherbeingpreparedforadisaster?Typically,weAmericansnavigateourdailyroutinesassmoothlyaswedriveourcars.Butmuchofourconfidencecomesfromthenatureofroutineitself,from

livingdaytodayandyeartoyearinfairlypredictablecircumstances—intacthomes,functioninghospitals,runningwater,stockedsupermarketsthatopenonschedule,andeveryonewheretheyshouldbewhentheyshouldbethere.It’snaturaltotakeforgrantedthatwehavethingsundercontrol.

Butwhendisasterstrikes—asanyonewho’slivedthroughitknows—thefantasy of control collapses, alongwith the infrastructure thatmakes ourlivesnormal.When theunthinkable occurs, ourperceptions change alongwith our surroundings; we become viscerally aware that we can’t controloutside events—and that to stay alive we must act quickly in unfamiliarcircumstances.

Thankfully,we can survive disasters.History demonstrates that in theface of catastrophic threats, we humans instinctively act to preserve life—both our own and the lives of others. To do so effectively, however,weneedtherighttools.Thisbookisyourguidetothosetools,nottheleastofwhicharementaltools.

MentalSupplies

Surprisingly—especiallyforthoselookingtosimplystockuponsurvivalsuppliesandgear—themostimportantcomponenttoreadinessisapreparedstateofmind.Thisincludesanunderstandingthatdisasterasksusnotonlytosurvive,buttohelpotherssurvive.Naturally,wethinkfirstofourlovedonesinadisaster.Butdisasterstrikesonitsownschedule,whenweareatanairportinanunfamiliarcity,oronthetransitsystemgoinghomefromwork,orevenintheaislesofthelocalgrocerystore.Atthemomentofcrisis,yourlifemaybeinthehandsofacompletestranger.Orastranger’ssurvivalmaydependonyouknowingwhattodointhatmoment.Wouldyouknowwhattodo?Areyoupreparedwiththeknowledgeandskillstosavealifeortocalmahighlytraumatizedperson?

As you read through this book for the practical (and here and thereamusingly excessive examples of) supplies available for disasterpreparation,keepinmindthatthemostvaluablethingtohaveinadvanceofan emergency is first-aid and Community Emergency Response Team(CERT)training—andamind-setthathasmovedbeyondasking“HowwillIgetmyneedsmet?” to “Howwill I helpothers?”Merely stocking survivalwater, food, and first aid suppliesmakes you apersonwith resources, butearning certification in first aid and CERTmakes you a resource to yourlovedones,coworkers,andcommunitymembers.

Examplesofpracticalheroismaboundduringdisasters.Don’tbemisledby the numerous survivalist websites depicting preparedness as a soloendeavor accomplished in grim isolation. The overwhelming majority ofAmericans live in highly populated areaswhere disaster relief is a sharedeffort and preparedness is fast becoming a civic duty. Asmore andmoreAmericans volunteer to train for emergency preparedness, our countrybecomes a team of prepared citizens. When disaster strikes, local teamsjump into action first; federal disastermanagement teams quickly follow,staffedbypeopletrainedtocoordinateresponseefforts.Inadisaster,thosewithCERTtrainingareidentifiedandgivenspecialassignments,sincetheyare known to emergency responders as being knowledgeable and wellprepared.

This sorting of volunteers in a disaster is both organizational andlifesaving.Forexample,ifyouhavenotbeentrainedtoreadandunderstandhazardousmaterialsplacardsonbuildings,youcoulddecideimpulsivelytorush in and offer help inside a structure that is about to explode. Certainhighly dangerous rescue operations must be done by emergencyprofessionals and not the rest of us. A CERT-trained person knows whatshouldnot be done aswell aswhat shouldbedoneduring a disaster.Andthatknowledgeenablesthosearoundhimorhertosidesteppanicandfear.

WhatWouldMrs.MiniverDo?

WeallknowthattheUnitedStateshasbeenandwillcontinuetobeatargetforterroristorganizations.Butjustbecauseaterroristattackispossible,itdoesnotmeanitislikelyinyourneighborhood.Wheneverwecultivatefearorpanicinourselvesorinothers,weareessentiallybowingtoterrorists,whosemaingoalistoelevatefear,andthroughthatfearfulnessexertcontrol.Itisahighlypsychologicalweapon,forwhichweprepareasapeople—notasisolatedindividuals—bymaintainingthestateofmindthatwecanandwillsurvive,alltogether.

TheAmerican capacity for teamwork andpositivityduringdisasters iswell established, and has been depicted in countless stories, films, andtelevision shows—showing real events and fictional ones. A classic of thegenre isMrs.Miniver, a 1942 film set in wartime Britain butmade by anAmericancastandcrewanddirectedbythelegendaryWilliamWyler.Mrs.Miniver is amild-mannered British housewifewho conducts herself withextraordinary level-headedness and courage even when under attack.RecognizedbytheAmericanFilmInstituteasoneofthemostinspirationalfilms of all time, and by the National Film Registry of the Library ofCongressasworthyofbeingpreservedforalltimeforitscultural,aesthetic,and historical significance, this film is about what ordinary people do torejectfear,pulltogether,andcarryoninthefaceofrelentlessperil.

Atanytimeduringyourpreparationefforts—perhapsafterwatchingtheRedCrossvideoAFamilyGuidetoFirstAidandEmergencyPreparedness,ormaybewhenyoufindyourselforyourfamilymembersthinkingaboutscarythreats—takeabreakandwatchMrs.Minivertoremindyourselvesthatthe

most important aspect of preparedness is a state of mind in which wecourageouslycultivatehope,notfear.

HowMuchDoesItCost?

Throughoutthisbookyouwillfinddescriptionsofspecificproducts,withdollarsignsindicatingabouthowmuchtheycost.Priceschangeallthetimeandmayvaryfromsellertoseller,sowehavegivenarangeratherthananexactprice.Wehaveusedthefollowingsymbolstoindicatepriceranges:

$Below$20$$$20–$50$$$$51–$200$$$$$201–$500$$$$$$501+

PreparationBasics

PPreparationBasics

reparingforadisasterrequiresimaginationandlogic,inthatorder.Whenyouthinkaboutfacingadisaster,whatimagecomestomind?Thebrain’sgo-toimageisdifferentforeachperson,andingreatpart

dependsonwhereyouliveandthemostrecentnewsfootageorphotosyouhaveseen.Butevenifyoulimityourexpectationstoaregionaldisaster,sayanearthquakeifyou’reinCaliforniaoratornadoifyou’reinOklahoma,youhaveonlybeguntoimaginewhatthatdisastermeanstoyouandyours,becausewhatyoudointhatmomentdependsonwhereyouare.

Whendisasterstrikes,youmaybeathome,atwork,orontheroad.Yourchildrenmaybeatschool.Forunprepareddisastervictims,beingseparatedfrom familymembers, both human and animal, can dramatically increasestress,limitingtheabilitytomakegooddecisionsinthemoment.Butkeytodisasterpreparationisafamilycommunicationplan,enablinglovedonestoquickly find one another in an emergency. The plan should include aprimaryandasecondarymeetingplace,sothateachfamilymemberknowswheretogoafteradisaster.Itshouldalsoincludeanout-of-statefriendorrelativedesignatedasapersonalcall center, sinceafteranemergency it istypicallyeasiertocalllongdistancethanlocally.

BasicStepstoBePrepared

1. Imagineyourhomeandworkplaceinaworst-casescenario,wheretherearenoemergencyservices,norunningwater,nopower,andnofunctioninggrocerystores.

2. Thinkaboutwhatyouwillneedtoevacuateandwhatyouwillneedifyoumuststaywhereyouare.Youmustbereadyforeitherscenario.

3. Createafamilycommunicationplan,withaprimaryandasecondarymeetingspotandanout-of-statefriendwhowillrelaycalls.

4. Discussandreviewyourcommunicationplanandwhateachfamilymemberwilldointheeventofanemergency.

5. Assemblea72-HourKit.

6. PackaGo-Bagforeachfamilymemberandpet.

7. Learnfirstaidandbecomecertified(seechapter5).

8. GetcertifiedtobeactiveinCERT(CommunityEmergencyResponseTeam).

9. Keepaminimalemergencykitinyourcarandanotheroneatyourworkplace(seechapters13and14).

10. Markyourcalendartoreplaceemergencyconsumableseverysixmonths.

Preparation also means having on hand sufficient emergency waterrationsandtherightfood—notjustanyfood,butitemscarefullyselectedtomeettheparticulardietaryneedsofyourclan.Imaginegoingwithoutfoodor being given food towhich someone in your familyhas a severe allergy.With good planning, you and yours will have water, food, shelter, andwarmthafteradisaster.

EachindividualandfamilyneedtopreparebothaGo-Baganda72-HourKit. Your Go-Bag will have what you need if you are being evacuated inadvanceofadisaster—forexample,anoncominghurricaneorpossibleflood

—toaplacewhereyouknowsomebasicsupplieswillbeavailable,suchasfood andwater. Your 72-HourKit should contain everything you need tosurviveonyourownafter anemergency.Thismeanshavingenough food,water, and other supplies to last for three days. Reliefworkerswill be ontheirwayafteradisaster,buttheycannotreacheveryoneimmediately.Youcouldgethelpinhoursordays.Basicservicessuchaselectricity,gas,water,sewage, and even cell phone servicemaybe cut off. Some sources suggestyouhaveenough for a two-weekperiod.Thisbookwill guideyou throughyourpreparationsforbothcases.

YourGo-Bag

AGo-Bagisacollectionofitemsyoumayneedifyouareevacuated.Packoneforeachfamilymemberinsomethingthatissturdyandeasytocarry,suchasabackpackorasmallsuitcaseonwheels.MakesureeachGo-BaghasanIDtag,andputitinasafe,watertightcontainerwhereeveryoneinthehouseholdcaneasilygrabitandgo.YourbasicGo-Bagshouldinclude:

Water,onegallonperpersonperdayNonperishablefood,suchasenergyorgranolabarsCopiesofyourimportantdocumentsinawaterproofandportablecontainer(insurancecards,birthcertificates,deeds,photoIDs,proofofaddress,etc.)ExtrasetofcarandhousekeysCreditandATMcards,andaboutonehundreddollarsincash(insmallbills)FlashlightTentBattery-operatedAM/FMradioExtrabatteriesPrescriptionmedication.Alsoincludealistofthemedicationseachmemberofyourhouseholdtakes,whytheytakethem,andtheirdosages,andacopyofyourhealthinsurance.

ListofallergiestomedicationorfoodPersonalhygieneitems,suchastoothbrushes,toothpaste,toiletpaper,anddeodorantFirstaidkitContactandmeetingplaceinformationforeveryoneinyourfamilySmallregionalmapCompassSpecialcaresuppliesforchildren,seniors,orpeoplewithdisabilitiesPetcaresupplies,ifyouhavepets(sheltersmayhavefoodforhumansbutnotforpets)LightweightraingearMylarblanketorspaceblanketChangeofunderwearSparecellphonecharger

CreateaFive-MinuteGo-ListNow.Itismucheasiertomakecriticalchoiceswhenyouarenotunderdistress.Walkthrougheachroominyourhouseandmakealistofoneortwoirreplaceabletreasures

thatiflostwouldcausegreatemotionalheartache,forinstance,anheirloomringorafamilyphotoalbum.Youshouldbeabletograbtheseitemsifyouwereevacuatingyourhomeatbreakneckspeed.Startyourlistwithwhatyoucanmanagealone.Ifyouhavehelp,youcanalwaysassigntasks.YoucanalsocreateaTen-MinuteorFifteen-MinuteGo-Listincaseyouhaveextratime.PlacetheGo-ListinyourGo-Bag,orifpossible,placeitemsinyourGo-Bagnow.Keepingyouandyourlovedonessafeisyourmostimportantpriority,butifyouplanahead,youmightalsobeabletosaveafewsentimentalmaterialitems.

Your72-HourKit

The72-HourKitcanbeasbasicoraselaborateasyouwouldliketomakeit.Unlessyouwanttostockuponfoodformonthsoryearsratherthandays,theessentialsforthe72-HourKitcanfitinaboxthatyoucanstashbesideyourwatercontainers.Ifyoumustleavehome,takeyourGo-Bagswithyouaswell.

Your 72-HourKit should be customized tomeet the needs of you andyourhousehold.Herearesomesuggestions.Whileallitemsaredescribedin

detail throughout thisbook, those inboldfaceare thoroughlyexplained insubsequentchapters.

Waterandwaterpurificationtools(seechapter2)Food,includingpetfood,diet-specificfoods,and,ifapplicable,babyformula(seechapter3)Firstaidkit,plusextraprescriptiondrugs,extraglasses,andcontactlensesandsolution(seechapter5)Importantfamilydocuments,includingIDsforallfamilymembersandcopiesofinsurance,house,andfinancialpapersintheeventofanevacuation,especiallyindisastersthatmaydestroyyourhome(seechapter8)Radio,hand-crankNationalOceanicandAtmosphericAdministration(NOAA)weatherradiowithtonealert(seechapter8)Flashlight(seechapter6)WrenchorplierstoturnoffutilitiesDucttapeandplasticsheeting,essentialforshelteringinplace,andusefulinnumerousothersituations(seechapter4)CellphoneandchargerFireextinguisher(seechapter7)SignalflaresBatteriesWhistletocallforhelpManualcanopenerMesskitorplasticdishwareandutensilsPapergoods:toiletpaper,towels,dustmask(orcloth),diapers,moisttowelettesPersonalhygieneproducts(seechapter9)MedicationsandalistofmedicationsforthehouseholdPlasticbagswithtiesMatchesinwaterproofcontainer(seechapter7)

Clothing(forbothweatherextremes)Bedding(forbothweatherextremes)Tent(seechapter4)Compass(seechapter8)Shovels(seechapter10)MylarorspaceblanketMapsand/orGPSCashandcoins,aboutonehundreddollarsincash(insmallbills)

OnAlert

Makesureallthecashyouhaveputawayisinsmalldenominations;it’sunlikelyanyonewillbeabletomakechangeforyou.IfyoustoreextramedicationinyourGo-Bagor72-HourKit,besuretoreplaceitbeforeitexpires.Ifyouareathomeornearhome,youmaybeabletohavemoresupplieswithyou.Ifyoumustevacuate,youmaybeforcedtotakeless.It’swisetobereadyforbothcontingencies,ratherthantryingtodecideinthestressofthemomentwhattotakeandwhattoleavebehind.

DWater

isastersendangerthesafetyofdrinkingwater.Sewagepipesandwaterlinesareoftenseveredinseveredisasters,contaminatingpublicdrinkingwatersources.Forexample,in2005,threedaysafter

HurricaneKatrinastruckLouisianawith140mphwindsalongthecoastlineandstormsurgesabovetwenty-fivefeet,almost80percentofNewOrleanswassubmerged,andthewaterwasheavilypollutedbyanimalcarcasses,petroleumproducts,industrialchemicals,andrawsewage.

Even if the water supply remains clean, people who live in buildingstaller than three or four storiesmay find themselveswithoutwater if theelectricitygoesout,sincewateristypicallypumpedtohigherfloors.

Inanemergency,don’texpecttoturnonyourfaucetanddrink.Instead,be responsible for stocking up your own clean supply of water. Withoutfood,wecansurviveforweeks,butdeprivedofdrinkingwater,wecanliveforonlya fewdays.Sowater is the first item toprepare foryour72-HourKit.Itmaybewisetobereadyforapossibletwo-weekstayathomewithnorunningwater.

Three gallons ofwater per person per daywill be enough for drinkingneeds and basic hygiene such as brushing teeth and washing fruits,vegetables,anddirtydishes.Figureouthowmuchyou’llneedbasedonthesizeofyourfamily.Youcanbuycommerciallybottledwaterorcollectandstore water from your tap. If you decide to store tap water in recycledcontainers, avoid containers that heldmilk or juice, because the proteinsand sugars linger after cleaning, inviting bacteria to grow in your storedwater. Instead, use strong plastic containers such as soda bottles withairtight,screw-onlids.Neverstoreyourdrinkingwateringlasscontainers,astheymaybreak.

Storeyourwatersupplyawayfromdirectsunlightinamoderatelycoolplace. Never store water supplies near stored liquids that have an odor,

including chemical products such as pesticides or gasoline, because thevapors from these chemicals can penetrate plastic over time andcontaminateyourwater.

Labelyourstoredwaterwiththemonthandyear.Somedisasterexpertsrecommend you replace your water supply every six months, when youreplaceyourfoodsupplies,andothersrecommendyoureplacewaterbythe“useby”date(ifyouhavepurchased it).Youcanalsopurchasepouchesofemergencywater with a five-year shelf life, or simply plan to purify yourwatersupplyasneeded.

SuppliesYou’llNeed:Water

------------------------------------------------------------------------

EYEDROPPER

$|Amazon.com|72-HourKit

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Aneyedropperisasmallglasstubewitharubberizedbulbattachedtooneend.Theyareavailablegenericallyfrompharmacies,andaresometimeslabeledas“medicinedroppers”or“eyeandearmedicinedroppers.”Commonlypackagedinasetoftwo,eyedroppersareinexpensiveandprovidetheonlymeasuringunit—thedrop—approvedbytheRedCrossforuseinthewaterpurificationmethodusinghouseholdchlorinebleach.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

CHLORINEBLEACH


------------------------------------------------------------------------

Availableingrocerystoresandpharmacies,chlorinebleachisusedforwaterpurification,asrecommendedbytheRedCross.Itshouldcontainno

purification,asrecommendedbytheRedCross.Itshouldcontainnoadditives,scents,ordyes.Purchasebleachthatcontains,asthesoleactiveingredient,sodiumhypochloriteataconcentrationof5.25to6.0percent.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

WATERPURIFICATIONTABLETS


------------------------------------------------------------------------

WaterpurificationtabletsareavailablefromanumberofmanufacturersregisteredwiththeEnvironmentalProtectionAgency(EPA).Selecttabletscontainingatleast5.25percenthypochloriteastheonlyactiveingredient.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

LIFESTRAWPERSONALWATERFILTER


------------------------------------------------------------------------

TheLifeStrawislikeawaterbottlewithastraw.Youfillthebottlewithimpurewateranddrawitupthroughthestraw;ontheway,itpassesthroughasmallfilter.Thefilterblocksparticulatematter(assmallas0.2microns),bacteria(99.9999percent),andprotozoanparasites(99.9percent).Itislightweightandcompact,andcanfilterabout260gallonsofwater—asmallamountatatime.LifeStrawwillnotfilteroutviruses,chemicalcontaminants,orsalt.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

LIFESAVERBOTTLE4000ULTRAFILTRATIONWATERBOTTLE

$$$|Amazon.com|72-HourKit

------------------------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thispersonalfilteringdeviceusesnonceramicfilterswithfifteen-nanometeropenings—smallenoughtopreventwaterbornepathogensfrompassingthrough.Upto99.999percentofvirusesandbacteriaareremoved,andpesticides,endocrine-disruptingcompounds,medicalresidues,andheavymetalresiduesarereduced.Thetwenty-five-ouncebottleusesreplaceablefiltersthatcanfilteraboutonethousandgallonsofwatereach.LifesaverBottleisapprovedbytheEPAandtheEuropeanDrinkingWaterDirectivesCouncil.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

MSRMIOXPURIFIERPEN


------------------------------------------------------------------------

MioxPurifierworksbypassinganelectricalchargethroughasmallsampleofuntreatedfreshwater(lakewater,forexample)mixedwithsalt.Theelectricalchargesandbrinetogethercreateasolutionthat,whenaddedtountreatedwater,inactivatesviruses,bacteria,giardia,andcryptosporidium.Itisrankedasthefastest-actingpurificationsystemforlargequantitiesofwater,andtheonlysystemthatprovidesameansofsafety-testingtreatedwaterbeforeconsumption.MioxwasdevelopedformilitaryuseandisEPA-approved.Itrunsoncamerabatteriesandtablesalt,weighs3.5ounces,andissevenincheslong.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

5-GALLONWHITEBUCKETANDLID(SETOF3)

$$|Amazon.com|72-HourKit

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Theseheavy-duty,two-millimeter-thickbucketsaremadefromfood-safeplasticandareBPA-free.Asetofthreeina72-HourKitisagoodidea,since

theyaregoodnotonlyforretrievingandtransportingpotableandnonpotablewater,butalsocanbemodifiedforuseasanemergencylatrine(seechapter9).Thesebucketscansometimesbeobtainedforfreefromrestaurants,andsterilizedusingableachandwatersolution.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

WATERBRICK3.5-GALLONWATERCONTAINER


------------------------------------------------------------------------

WaterBrickcontainersareasuperconvenientbutmoreexpensiveoptionforwaterstorage.Theblue,BPA-free,FDA-approvedplasticbricksarestackableandfittogetherforlong-termstorage,butcanbegrabbedandcarriedusingtheattachedhandle.Aspigot(purchasedseparately)canbeattachedtoeachbricktofillsmallercontainers.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

WATERBRICKWATERSTORAGECONTAINERSPIGOT


------------------------------------------------------------------------

Waterispreciousandneverathingtowaste,particularlyinthemidstofanemergency.Thisplasticspigotmakesiteasytopouroutwater—noleaks,nospills.MadetofittheWaterBrick,theWaterBrickSpigotscrewsonperfectlyoncetheoriginallidisremoved(andittightenseasilybyhand).Bonus:theventlessspigotcanalsobeusedforsafefoodstorage.

BoilWaterOrdersWhentapwateriscontaminated,a“boilwaterorder”isissuedbytheagencyoverseeingpublicwatersupplies.Whentheorderisrescinded,itissafetodrinktapwateragain.

HowtoPurifyWater

HowtoPurifyWater

Afteradisaster,waterfromanunsecuresourcecanbecontaminatedevenwhenitdoesnotsmell,taste,orlookcontaminated.Unlessyouarecertainthewateryouareabouttodrinkispure(suchasthecleansupplyyoupreparedbeforethedisaster),youmusttreatittokillanybacteriaormicroorganismsthatcausedisease.HereistheRedCrosspostdisasterwatertreatmentprotocol.

Filtersolidparticlesfromthewaterusingacoffeefilterorascrapoffabric.Boilthisfilteredwaterforaboutonefullminute.Letthewatercool.Ifitisnotallowedtocool,thepurificationwillnotwork!Addsixteendropsofliquidchlorinebleachpergallonofwater,oreightdropspertwo-literbottleofwater.Stirtomix.Sodiumhypochloriteataconcentrationof5.25to6percentshouldbetheonlyactiveingredientinthebleach,whichshouldcontainnofragrance,dye,orsoap.Letstandthirtyminutes.Ifthewatersmellsofchlorine,youcandrinkit.Ifitdoesnotsmellofchlorine,addthesameamountofbleachagainandletstandforthirtymoreminutes.Ifthewaterstilldoesnotsmellofchlorine,discarditandfindanothersourceofwater.

StickwithBleachTheRedCrossadvisesusingplainbleachtopurifydrinkingwater.Donotrelyoniodinetopurifywater,becauseitwillnotremovecryptosporidium—protozoansthatarevery

difficulttodestroyandthatwillmakeyouverysickforaverylongtime.Also,donotusepurificationproductssoldbycampingorsurplusstores,ortheirwebsites,unlesstheproductscontainatleast5.25percenthypochloriteastheonlyactiveingredient.

OnAlert

Thewaterinyourhouseholdwaterpipes,aswellaswhat’sinyour

waterheaterstoragetank,canbedrainedandpurifiedfordrinking.Turnoffthegasorelectricityfortheheater,drain,andtreatthewaterusingtheRedCrosspostdisasterwatertreatmentprotocol.Forpersonalhygienebutnotfordrinking,youmayusewaterfromatoilettank(notthetoiletbowl)ifnochemicalshavebeenaddedtothetankwater.Youcanalsousehottuborswimmingpoolwater.Donotattempttopurifyordrinkwaterfromawaterbed,fromahomeheatingsystemboiler,orfromaradiator.Allofthesewatersourcesarepotentiallytaintedbychemicalsthatcannotberemovedbypurification.

OFood

pen,well-stockedsupermarketsandtakeoutrestaurantsarethingswetakeforgranted,untilwefaceanemergency.Inadisaster,youcouldfindyourselfhouseboundfordays;evenifyou’reabletogetoutand

about,theplaceswhereyoubuyfoodmaybeclosed.Carefullyselectedreservesofemergencyfoodcanprovidebothnutrientsandmorale-boostingcomfortduringatoughtime,andensurethatthosewithspecialdietaryneedsdonotfaceextrachallengesduringadisaster.Thisincludesyourbelovedanimals,ofcourse.

Whenselectingfoodstostore,beginbytakinginventoryofyourfamilymembers’agesanddiets.Babies, theelderly, and thosewith foodallergiesmust have their special dietary needsmet during an emergency, as mustdogs,cats,birds,andothercompanionanimals.

In addition, set aside some small celebratory treats to brighten anyroughpatchesduringanemergency.However,dopracticetoughlovewhenit comes to foods and beverages containing sugar and caffeine, since bothare dehydrating andwill increase water needs during an emergency. Andlimitverysaltyfoods,whichincreasethirst.

As for calculating quantities, each family will be unique, and whetheryou have stored enough food will depend on the circumstances of thedisaster. Food rationing during an emergency is fine for everyone exceptchildren andpregnant or nursingwomen.The rest of us, unlesswe reallyexert ourselves physically, can function quite well eating half of what wenormallyeatinaday.Butdon’tforgettomakethatsmalleramountoffoodas nutrient-dense as possible; even though we can live on less food, it’sespecially important to keep ourselves as healthy as possible during adisaster.

FoodPlanA

FoodPlanA

PlanAistheuniversallyrecommendedemergencyfoodrationplanthatmakesuseofitemsincans,jars,bottles,boxes,andbagsthatyoucanbuyatjustaboutanysupermarketandsetasideforemergencies.Itissimpleenoughtodothefirsttime,andwillafterwardrequireonlyanoteonyourcalendartorotateyourstockthroughouttheyear.

Themostimportantthingistotailoryourfoodsupplytotheneedsofthepeopleinyourfamily.Themostvulnerablepopulationsaretheelderlyandchildren.Doesanyoneinyourfamilyhaveafoodallergy?Isanyonediabeticor prediabetic? Make sure you include infant formula and pet food.Whatever food challenges you and your family members face day to daymustbeaddressedasyoucreateyourstoreofemergencyfoods.

Managingfoodsuppliesbeforeandduringadisasterdoesrequiresomethought.ThesetipsfromtheRedCrosswillkeepyourPlanAfoodstashatitsbest.

Keepfoodinadry,coolspot—adarkarea,ifpossible.Openanyfoodboxesandotherresealablecontainerscarefullysothatyoucanclosethemtightlyaftereachuse.Wrapperishablefoods,suchascookiesandcrackers,inplasticbagsandkeeptheminsealedcontainers.Emptyopenpackagesofsugar,driedfruits,andnutsintoscrew-topjarsorairtightcanisters(withBPA-freeplastic)forprotectionfrompests.Inspectallfoodforsignsofspoilagebeforeuse.Throwoutcannedgoodsthatbecomeswollen,dented,orcorroded.Usefoodsbeforetheyexpire(writethedateonthelabelwithamarker),andreplacethemwithfreshsupplies.Placenewitemsatthebackofthestorageareaandolderonesinfront.

SmallerIsBetterWhenpurchasingcannedandpackagedfoods,aimforsmalleritemsthatcanbefinishedquicklyaftertheyareopened.Storingleftoversmaybedifficultifthere’sapoweroutage.

Formorestorageguidelines,seeAppendixA.

FoodPlanB

FoodPlanB

Everyone’sdifferent.Iftheideaofassemblingallkindsoffoodsandputtingtogetherbalancedmealsinacrisismakesyourheadspin,orifmaintaininganongoingrotationofemergencyfoodrationsseemslikewaytoomuchwork,therearemanufacturerswhoinviteyoutobuyyourwayoutofthesetasks.Astheprepperpopulationexpands,sodoestheemergencyproductsindustry—includingtheavailabilityofconveniencemealsallegedtohaveatwenty-orthirty-yearshelflife.Butsuchconveniencecomesataprice.Ayear’ssupplyofdehydratedmealsforfourpeople,forexample,is$4,000,andcomesonapalletofthirty-sixplasticsix-gallonbuckets.SeeAppendixAforasampleofemergencyfull-mealproducts.

Don’tPutAllYourDehydratedFoodinOneBasket:DiversifyStoringavarietyoffoodwillhelptobalanceoutcookingoptions,keepyourmenusasfreshascanbe,andpreventfoodburnout.In

additiontostoringdehydratedand/orfreeze-driedfoods,trytoaddstore-boughtcannedgoods,orbetteryet,home-cannedgoods.Followingthesamevein,donotplaceallofyourstoredfoodinonelocation.Itiswisetodesignateacoupleofsafelocations(dark,cool,anddryspots)incasesomethinghappenstoonebatch;thinkfloodorfire.

SuppliesYou’llNeed:FoodandStorage

------------------------------------------------------------------------

MAINSTAYEMERGENCYFOODRATIONS

$|Amazon.com|Go-Bag|CarKit

------------------------------------------------------------------------

EmergencyfoodbarsaregreatforyourCarKitandGo-Bag.Readtheingredientsbeforepurchasing,andmakesurethebarcontainsgood,nutritionalingredientsandnofillers.Duringanemergencyyourbodywillneedacalorie-densefoodthatisnotloadedwithsugarorothernonnutritivefillers.ThisMainstaypackofninehigh-energylemon-flavoredbars(about400calorieseach)hasafive-yearshelflifeandispackagedtowithstandtemperaturesfromminus40to300degreesFahrenheitwithoutspoiling.

ThemanufacturersaysthisbarexceedsU.S.CoastGuardstandards,isenrichedwithvitaminsandmineralsexceedingtheRDArequirements,containsnotropicaloilsorcholesterol,andiskosherandhalal.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

RUBBERMAIDEASYFINDLID24-PIECEFOODSTORAGECONTAINERSET


------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rubbermaiddesignedtheselidstosnaptogetherorontothebaseofthecontainer,keepingeverythingorganized.Thetwenty-four-pieceBPA-freesetincludestwocontainersofeachsize:0.5,1.25,2,3,5,and7cup,withthesamelidaccommodatingbasesofseveraldifferentsizes.Fordrypackagedfoodsinyour72-HourKit,thesecontainershavetight-fittinglidsthatwillhelpyourfoodsupplieslastlongeraftertheyhavebeenopened.Becausetheplasticissee-through,youcanquicklyfindthefoodsyouarelookingforandknowhowmuchyouhaveonhand.Keepingyourfoodinsuchcontainerswillalsodiscouragemiceandotheranimals,whichareknowntosmellfoodandeatthroughacardboardcrackerbox,forexample.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

LOCK&LOCKSTORAGE


------------------------------------------------------------------------

Storingfoodinairtightcontainersextendsitsshelflifeandkeepsoutpests.Avoidglasscontainers,whichcanbreak.Instead,lookforBPA-freeplasticcontainersmadeofnumber2HDPE(high-densitypolyethylene),number4LDPE(low-densitypolyethylene),ornumber5PP(polypropylene).BPA-freeplasticisreportedlysaferforstoringfoodbecauseitreducestheriskofleachingendocrine-disruptivechemicalsintowetfoods.This16.75-cupcontainerhasawatertightsealinglid.Othersizesarealsoavailable.

containerhasawatertightsealinglid.Othersizesarealsoavailable.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

BOYSCOUTSOFAMERICAALUMINUMMESSKIT

$|ScoutStuff.org|72-HourKit

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thissingle-personaluminummesskitweighs1.1poundsandcontainsoneseven-inchfryingpanwithasteelfoldinghandle,one0.75-quartpotwithalid,oneseven-inchplate,andoneeight-ounceplasticmug.Itallfitsintoameshcarryingbag.Youcanbothcookandeatwithalltheitemsexcepttheplasticcup.Thepot,pan,andplatearenotbigenoughtomakeafamilymeal,buttheyarejustrightforone.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

LIGHTMYFIRE6-PIECEOUTDOORMEALKIT


------------------------------------------------------------------------

Youcan’tcookwiththismesskit,butitdoeshavetheadvantageofasleekSwedishdesignthatcomesinadozencolors.TheLightMyFiremesskitweighstwelveouncesandmeasures9X8X3incheswhenit’spacked.Itcontainstwoplates,acupwithalid,acolander–cuttingboard,aspork(combinationspoonandfork),andasmallwaterproofbox.ThekitismadeofBPA-freepolypropylene,exceptforthespork,whichismadeofpolycarbonate.Itiswatertight,dishwashersafe,andfloats.Theplasticdoesnotsoftenwhenitholdshotfoods.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

SIMPLEPORTABLELIGHTWEIGHTSOLARPANELCOOKER

$$|SolarOvens.net|72-HourKit

------------------------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Whileyoumaydecidetocookonacampingstoveorthebarbecuewhenthepowergoesout,youmightwanttoinvestigateusingasolarcooker,whichrequiresnofuels,emitsnofumes,andaddsnosmokyflavorstofoods.Solarcookerscookfoodmoreslowlythanconventionalovens,buttheycanbeusedtopasteurizedrinkingwaterintheabsenceoffuels.Thissmall-capacitycookerweighseightouncesandcanreachabout250degreesFahrenheitundernormalsunnyconditions.Itfoldsflat(14X14X2inches).Itincludesaclear,reusable,high-temperaturecookingbag,cookinginstructions,andseveralrecipes.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

GLOBALSUNOVEN

$$$$|Amazon.com|72-HourKit

------------------------------------------------------------------------

TheGlobalSunOvenweighstwenty-onepounds,measures19✕19✕11inches,andcancookandbakeattemperaturesupto400degreesFahrenheitusingonlysunlight.Itworksinallseasonsandhasbeentestedatbelow-zerotemperatures.Thereflectivesurfaceisrustproof,highlypolished,anodizedaluminum.Atemperaturegaugeisbuiltintotheinterior,andthere’sacarryinghandleontheoutside.

Do-It-YourselfSolarCookersSolarcookersaregoodfortheenvironmentandcanbeveryinexpensivetomakeandtouse.SolarCooking.orghasplansandinstructionsformakingdozensofdifferenttypes

ofsolarcookers.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

SURVIVALSEEDVAULT


------------------------------------------------------------------------

Youcanplanformonthsorevenyearsoffoodself-sufficiencybyputtingasideseedsforascenarioinwhichthereistimeenoughtogrowyourownfuturemeals.Numerousmanufacturersofemergency-preparednessproductspackageheirloomseeds(whichhavenotbeengeneticallymodified)foremergencykits.Thisonehastwentyvarietiesoffruitsandvegetables,includingbeans,Swisschard,watermelon,cantaloupe,broccoli,andcucumbers.Theseedsarepackagedintriple-layerresealablefoilbagsplacedinsideacan.Detailedplanting,harvesting,andseed-savinginstructionsareincluded.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

FOODSTORAGEVEGETABLEGARDENSEEDKIT


------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thiskitcontains1.4poundsofseeds—enoughforseverallargegardens—packedinresealabletriple-layerfoilbagsinsideanumber10can.Theseedshavebeenspeciallydriedtogivethemalongshelflifeandahighgerminationrate.Thekitcontainssixteentypesofnonhybridvegetableseeds,includingcorn,onions,spinach,lettuce,beets,carrots,peppers,andzucchini,plusabookletthatexplainshowtogrowyourgarden.

CampCookingIfyouhavetocookwithouthouseholdelectricityorgas,youcanuseyourfireplacetocookindoors,butalwaysmakesureflamesareextinguishedifyouplantoleavetheroomforany

amountoftime.Foroutdoorcookinginanemergency,useacampstove,asolarcooker,oracharcoalgrill.Youmaywanttokeepasmallbarbecuegrillandasupplyofdrycharcoalwithyouremergencysupplies.

OnAlert

Iftheelectricityfails,firstuseuptheperishablefoodsfromtherefrigerator,andafterthatthefrozenfoods.Whenalltheperishablefoodisgone,switchtoeatingthenonperishablesbeforeyouturntoyouremergencyfoodbars.

Ifyoustorecannedfoods,makesureyouhaveamanualcanopenerstoredwithyourfood.Youcanheatcannedfoodsinthecan,afterfirstremovingthelabelandopeningthecan.Donotreusethethinplasticbottlesyoubuywaterin,becausetheplasticbreaksdownwithreuse,leachingchemicalsintobeveragesandfoods.Besuretoincludevitamin,mineral,andproteinsupplementsinyourstockpiletoensureadequatenutrition.

Shelter

IShelter

ntheparlanceofemergencyprofessionals,inadisasteryoueither“evacuate”or“shelterinplace.”Withinthosetwooptions,though,therecanbecountlessvariables.Circumstances,oradirectorderfromthe

authorities,willdeterminewhetheryourfindyourselfathomeorawayfromhome.

Evacuation means leaving your home and sheltering at the home ofsomeone you know or at a designated public location. Preparation forevacuationmeanshavingaGo-Bagready,attheminimum(seechapter1).Ifevacuation includes driving your car, being prepared will enable you toquickly grab extra items, including Go-Bags, already prepared for eachpersonandanimal inyourhome. Ifyoucannot takeyourvehicle,youwilltake only what you can wear and carry. Again,making these decisions inadvanceisanimportantpartofyourpreparationsoyoucangetoutquickly,withyourmindasclearandcalmaspossibleunderthecircumstances.

It’s always stressful to evacuate. In 2013, as raging wildfires burnedthousandsofacresandhundredsofhomesinColorado,thosewithGo-Bagsready likely experienced less stress during mandatory evacuations—andhad with them copies of the paperwork they would need to rebuild theirlivesiftheirhomesweredestroyedbyfire.

Sheltering in placemeans having your 72-HourKit (see chapter 1) onhand, including all you will need to keep your family and pets fed andhydratedforatleastthreedays(anduptotwoweeks),inanytemperatureathome—orwhatmight be left of your home. If theweather is hot, plan todouble the per-personwater allotment. If theweather is cold—especiallyfor those living incolderclimates—makesureyousetasideenoughwarmclothingandbeddingtokeepyouandyourlovedoneswarmiftheheatgoesoff.

Earthquakesandstormscandamagewindows,walls,doors,androofs,soheavyplastic sheeting andduct tape are theuniversal supplies tohaveonhand for emergencies that require sheltering inplace.Make sure theducttapeyoubuyforthispurposeisofhighquality,becausecheapbrandsofducttape don’t stick in wet weather. Likewise, the plastic sheeting you buyshouldbeat least fourtosixmilsthickorthicker,asrecommendedbytheU.S.DepartmentofHomelandSecurityforshelteringinplaceduringanair-poisoningeventsuchasanexplosionatachemicalplantorrefinery.

Wherever you live, prepare your home for extreme weather and, yes,earthquakes—evenifyoudon’tliveinCalifornia,sinceforty-fivestatesandterritories of the United States have the potential to experienceearthquakes.Learnthefactsaboutnaturalandotherdisasters,andhowtoprepareforthem,byvisitingReady.gov.

HowMuchIsaMil?Amilisathousandthofaninch—thatis,0.001inch.Thethicknessofmanymanufactureditemsismeasuredinmils.Thirtymilsisaboutthethicknessofacreditcard.

HowtoShelterinPlaceOutdoors

Dependingonthecircumstances,youmightbeabletoshelterinafamilycampingtent,supposingyouhaveevacuatedbycarorcansafelyremainnearyourhomebutnotinsideit.Ifyoudonothaveatent,youcanusespaceblankets(verythinreflectivesheeting,alsocalledemergencyblanketsorMylarblankets)orplasticsheetingandducttapetoassembleabasicemergencyshelter.YoucanalsobuyaMylartubetent,butwhetheryoubuyoneormakeyourown,theideaisbasicallythesame:atriangulartubeissuspendedfromanyloncordattheapex.Thismeansyoumustbeabletotiethecordtotwouprightobjectsthatarefarenoughaparttoaccommodateyourtent.

KeepinmindthatwhileMylarwillblockwindandwater,itwillalsotearquite easily once an edge is cut, so avoid cuts and tears to the edges. Asnecessary, reinforce the edges of the material with duct tape to preventtears. Do not discard the used tent, even if there are tears, because thematerial can be used again for sheltering or formedical emergencies (seechapter5).

If you don’t haveMylar or plastic sheeting, you can attach emergencyblankets to a primitive lean-to shelter. A lean-to is a slanted-roof sheltermadeofwhateveryoucangrab.Itcanbemadeofsticksorbranches.Itleansagainstarockorothersticksandbranches.Itcanbemadefromatarp,usingcording wood tied to a tree. A lean-to breaks the wind coming from onedirection,orshadesthesunlightiftheweatherisreallyhot.

HowtoShelterinPlaceDuringaChemicalorBiologicalEmergencyIfthereisanaccidentoranattackinvolvinganairbornecontaminant,youwillshelterinplacewithinasealedareaofyourhome.Preparinginadvanceforsuchaneventwillprotectyouandyoursmorequicklyfrompossibleexposuretopoisonouschemicalsorbiologicaldiseaseagents.

Choosearoominthecentralpartofyourhousewiththefewestnumberof doors and windows, preferably one with access to running water—forexample,a largebathroom.Topreparewellaheadofanysuchevent,caulkorduct tapeareasaround thepipes (if youareusinga roomwith runningwater) to seal out air.Donot seal off the sheltering room in advance, butpreparethelengthsofplasticyouwilluseifthereisanair-poisoningevent.

Measure all vents,windows, anddoors in the room, then cut pieces ofheavyplasticsheetingtocovereachopening,makingeachsheetatleastsixincheswider than the openings youwill be covering.Make a covering foreveryopening,includingallheatingandair-conditioningvents.

Fold and label each piece of plastic with thick blackmarker, so in anemergency you can quickly gather all people and pets into the shelteringroomandeasilyducttapethesesheetsinplacetosealoutcontaminatedair.

StayInformedwithaRadioKeepabattery-operatedradiowithyourprecutplasticsheetsandducttapesoyoucanhaveitwithyouinyoursealedspace.Thisistheonlywayyou’llknowwhen

authoritieshavedeclaredthesurroundingairsafeagain.Rotatethebatteriestoensurethey’refresh.

Makesureyouhaveturnedoffanyheatingorair-conditioningunitsthatwould bring in air from outside. Some emergency instructions includeplacingwetrolledtowelsalongthecracksunderdoors,but ifyourroomissealedwithplastic,thisisnotnecessary.Donotplantosleepinyoursealed-off room. Officials will inform you by radio when it is safe to exit yourtemporary shelter. Typically, a contaminated air plume dissipates in lessthanfourhours.

SuppliesYou’llNeed:ShelteringinPlace

------------------------------------------------------------------------

MARKER,MEASURINGTAPE,SCISSORS


------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thesecommonhouseholditemsareavailableinmoststoresandareusedtocreate(beforeyouactuallyneedthem)therightsizesofplasticsheetingtostoreinadvanceofapotentialdisasterinvolvingairpoisoning.Anystandardmeasuringtapeisfine,asareanyscissorswithwhichyoucancutplasticsheets.Ifyouhavewindowsordoorsthatexceedthelengthofastandardtapemeasure,youcanmarkwherethemeasuringtapeendsandwhereyoustartagain.Followingthislogic,youcouldusearulerinstead.Chooseanindeliblemarkertolabelyourplasticsheets.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

HUSKYCLEAR6-MILPOLYETHYLENESHEETING

$$$|HomeDepot.com|72-HourKit

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Formultipleuses,includingshelteringinplaceduringachemicalorbiologicalattack,theDepartmentofHomelandSecurityrecommendsusingclearplasticsheetingofathicknessbetweenfourandsixmilsorthicker.Howmuchsheetingyouneeddependsontheareasyouneedtoseal.Thispackageis20X100feetandcomesonaroll.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

CLEARPLASTICPOLYSHEETING,10MIL


------------------------------------------------------------------------

Plasticsheetingistapedoverwindowsanddoorstokeeparoomorhomesafeduringachemicalorbiologicalaccidentorattack.Thisrollis20X100feetandcostsaboutfortydollarsmorethantheHuskyplasticsheeting,butitisalmosttwiceasthick.Thesheetingiswrinkle-andweather-resistant,andhasbeenusedtosealandencloseareasforasbestosabatement.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

3MEXTRAHEAVYDUTYDUCTTAPE6969SILVER


------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ducttapeisessentialinemergencies.Whenpurchasedforemergencies,includingshelteringinplaceduringachemicalorbiologicaldisaster,theDepartmentofHomelandSecurityrecommendsusingducttapeatleasttenmilsthick.Thisisthepriciestducttape,butitiswellmadeandwilldothejob.Asinglerollweighs1.8pounds,is10.7milsthick,1.8incheswide,andalmost180feetlong.Ithasahigh-tensilestrengthofthirtypoundsandhasbeenburn-tested.Onerolloftapeisessential,andtwowouldbebetter,especiallyifyouhavecathedralceilings,doors,andwindows.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------------------------------

EQUINOXPOLYTARP

$|EMS.com|72-HourKit

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thisgeneral-use,blue,waterprooftarpwithaluminumgrommetseverythreefeet,includingthecorners,measures12X14feet.It’smadeofhigh-densitywovenpolyethylenescrimcoatedwithlow-densitypolyethylene.Apolypropyleneropereinforcesthehem.Apolytarpisanall-purposetoolthatcanbeusedprimarilytokeeprainorwindoutofahomewherewindowshavebeenbroken.Itcanbeattachedoverbrokenwindowswithducttape.Itcanalsobeusedtomakealean-to.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

ROTHCO550LB.TYPEIIINYLONPARACORD

$|BigFlySports.com|72-HourKit

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Strongnyloncordingwillhavemultipleusesinyour72-HourKit,nottheleastbeingtotiedownatarpforshelterorshade.Italsomakesagoodclotheslineandcankeepagateclosedifnecessary.Thiscordisonehundredfeetlongandcomesinsixteencolorsandpatterns.Itis5/32inchesindiameterandhasaseven-strandcore.It’smadebyacertifiedU.S.governmentcontractorandhasa550-poundteststrength.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

EMERGENCYZONEBRANDEMERGENCYSHELTERTENT

$|Amazon.com|Go-Bag|72-HourKit

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ifyoucan’tshelterinsideyourhomeorfindapublicshelter,youmayusea

Ifyoucan’tshelterinsideyourhomeorfindapublicshelter,youmayuseafamilycampingtent,orcreateshelterfromplasticsheetingorMylarblanketsandducttape.Oryoumaydecidetokeepasmall,inexpensiveemergencytubetentinyourGo-Bagor72-HourKit.Atubetentisatriangulartube.Thislightweight,two-persontubetentisbasicallyaMylartubetapedintoatriangle.Thereflectivematerialhelpsconservebodyheat.Itiseightfeetlong,weighs7.7ounces,iswaterproof,andcomeswithanattachednyloncordtosetitup.Itcomessealedinawaterproofpouch.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

ADVENTUREMEDICALKITSSOLESCAPEBIVVY


------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thisisbasicallyawaterproofsleepingbagandone-personshelterinone.Thebagis36X84inches,withwaterproofseamsplusadrawstringhoodclosureandsidezip,soyoucansealouttheelementsentirelyoruseitasatraditionalsleepingbag.Theinnerfabricreflectsbodyheatinwardbutletsmoistureescape,socondensationdoesn’tbuildupinsidethebag.Theoutsideisbrightorange,makingyoueasytospot.Thebagweighsjust8.5ounces.

DuctTapeFashionDucttapehasbecomeafashionaccessoryandisnowavailableinmanycolorsandpatternstodecorateeverythingfromhandbagsandwalletstoclothing.Stayawayfromfashionduct

tapeandstickwiththeheavy-dutykind.Itwilladhereandholdupbetterinemergencies.

OnAlert

Toavoidpostdisasterfiresandexplosionsfromnaturalgasleaks,makesureeveryoneinyourhouseholdknowshowtoshutoffthegastothehouse.Consultyourgascompanyandmakesureyouhavetherighttoolsforyoursituation.Practicewithyourfamily,butdon’tactuallyturnoffthegas—ifyoudo,donotattempttoturnitbackon.Ifyousmellgasorhearablowingorhissingnoise,openawindowand

geteveryoneoutquickly.Turnoffthegas,usingtheoutsidemainvalve,ifyoucan,andcallthegascompanyfromaneighbor’shome.Familymembersshouldlearnwhereandhowtoshutoffthewaterandelectricity,sosparkscannotigniteagasleakandnoonegetselectrocuted.Whenshuttingoffelectricity,turnoffindividualcircuitsbeforeshuttingoffthemaincircuit.Andwhenshuttingoffthewater,closethemainhousevalve(notthestreetvalve)toavoidthegravityeffectsthatmightotherwisedrainthewaterfromyourhotwatertankandtoilettanks.Neveruseacandleorconventionalflashlightwhencheckingforgasleaksorattemptingtoturnoffthegasafteradisaster.Protectyourselffromsparksthat,whenincontactwithgasfumes,cancauseadeadlyexplosionandfire.Forcheckinggasvalvesandpotentialleaks,buyanintrinsicallysafeflashlightdesignedforhazardouscircumstances(seechapter6forinformationaboutflashlights).

FirstAid

WFirstAid

henanearthquakemeasuring5.0ontheRichterscalehitNapaValley,California,in2000,theintensityanddurationoftheshaking,aswellastheseverityofthedamage,wasrelativelyminorcompared

withthe1989LomaPrietaearthquake.Butitwasajoltingquakenevertheless:structuresbuckled,peoplewereinjured,andgaslineswereruptured.Local911callscamefloodingin,andalmostimmediatelyfirefighterresponsewasrunningtwohundredcallsbehind.Localserviceswerenotsufficienttomeetthecommunity’sneeds,andoutsidehelphadtobecalledinfromothercounties.

Duringemergencies,rescuersmakelifesavingtheirfirstpriority;threatsto the environment and to property come second. The calls for help thatcomefrominstitutionssuchasschoolsandhospitalsorcarehomesfortheelderly,wherethehighestconcentrationoflivesareatrisk,takeprecedenceover calls from individual residences. This makes it critical that you andotheradultsinyourhouseholdhavefirstaidtraining,attheleast.

Also, the emergencymedical needs of any community are triaged: themost life-threatening cases are seen first, and even then, only when andwheretreatmentfromaprofessionalisanoption.Doctors,nurses,andEMTspecialiststhemselvesmaybehurtorunabletotravel,ortheymaybecalledtoassistatinstitutions,or,ifthereisadisaster-managementteamatwork,wherever they are neededmost.Consequently, in a disaster theremay besituationswhereit’strulyuptoyoutosavealife.Insuchcases,familieswillberesponsible forperformingfirstaidwhentheneedarises.Remember,adisasterdemandsmuchofus.Thisiswhyweprepare.

It takes more than even the most well-stocked first aid kit to helpsomeone in trouble.Tobeprepared foranydisaster, youmustknowhow,why,andwhentouseeverythinginthekit,aswellastechniquesthatdon’trequireakit—fromCPR(cardiopulmonaryresuscitation) topsychological

first aid for traumatizedadults andchildren.Youcan learnall this fromafirstaidcourseandfromCERTtraining.

Inchapter1youlearnedthatthefirststepinpreparingforadisasteristoimaginetheunimaginable.Thesamepersonwhoissqueamishatthesightofbloodundernormalcircumstancesmight, inadisaster,betheonlypersonwho can sew up a wound to save a life. Youmight temporarily lose yoursqueamishnessifyoucansaveanotherperson,especiallysomeoneyoulove.That’swhygettingfirstaidtrainingissoimportant.

In basic first aid classes, taught by the Red Cross or local firedepartments and other organizations, you practice on plastic dummies sothatyourfirstattemptatCPRisnotinthelife-or-deathcircumstancesofanemergency.Youmayormaynotmakeittoadvancedtraining,butwithsomefoundational first aid training, you will at least know you can follow theadviceascribedtothelegendaryGreekphysicianHippocrates:“First,donoharm.”

SuppliesYou’llNeed:FirstAid

------------------------------------------------------------------------

WHERETHEREISNODOCTOR:AVILLAGEHEALTHCAREHANDBOOK


------------------------------------------------------------------------

Inextremecircumstancesaroundtheworld,untrainedpeoplehavehadtoperformemergencymedicalcare,includingsurgicalprocedures.ThegloballyusefulbookWhereThereIsNoDoctorwaswrittenbyDavidWerner,JaneMaxwell,andCarolThumanandpublishedbytheHesperianFoundation(revisededition).Originallywrittenforinhabitantsofruralvillageswhere,asthetitlesuggests,thereisnodoctor,thisuniquemedicalbookgivesinstructionsforproceduresthatnormallyonlyadoctorwouldattempt.However,indisastersituations,anyonemightbecalledontoperformacomplexmedicalproceduretosavealife.Evenacommunitythat

wasonceacitycanbeturnedintoacollectionof“villages”cutofffromoneanotherandfromstandardemergencyservices.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

THEAMERICANREDCROSSFIRSTAIDANDSAFETYHANDBOOK


------------------------------------------------------------------------

ThisbookbyKathleenA.HandalispublishedbytheAmericanRedCrossandcoversthecategoriesusedinstandardRedCrossfirstaidtrainingmodules.Byfollowingtheinstructionshere,apersoncoulddiagnoseandtreat,insomefashion,thesymptomsofsomeonesufferingfromanythingfrompoisoningtoheartattacktospinalcordinjury,stroke,orseizures.Includedaresectionsformakingthehouseholdasaferplaceandforsurvivingdisasters.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

EMERGENCYMYLARTHERMALBLANKETS(PACKOF10)$$|Amazon.com|Go-Bag|72-HourKit

------------------------------------------------------------------------

ExpertsstronglyrecommendhavingMylarblanketsinemergencies.Gettingmorethanoneisessentialbecausetheyarenotbuiltforendurance.Alsocalled“spaceblankets,”theseMylarsheetsaregreatforreflectingsolarradiationandhelpingtopreventhypothermia.Butifyounicktheedges,theywilltearquiteeasily.IfyouwanttouseaMylarblanketasamakeshifttentandyoumakeaholeinit,theholewillrunouttotheedge.UseducttapewhenplacingMylarblanketsundertension.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

AFAMILYGUIDETOFIRSTAIDANDEMERGENCYPREPAREDNESS

$|RedCrossStore.org|72-HourKit

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tohelpeveryonefeelapartofthepreparations,makesomepopcornandcalleveryoneinforfamilyvideonight.ThisRedCrossDVDwasdesignedtohelpfamiliesprepareforeverydaymedicalemergencies,includingthosecausedbydisasters.TheDVDtakesapositiveapproachthatinvolvestrainingchildren,andincludesstep-by-stepdemonstrationsoffirstaidtechniques.Takeitseriouslyandinvolveyourchildren—alifemayrestinthehandsofyourkidsduringadisaster.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

DELUXEFAMILYFIRSTAIDKIT

$$|RedCrossStore.org|Go-Bag|72-HourKit------------------------------------------------------------------------

Inapinch,thisbagprovidesastartingpoint,butdon’tbuyitasyouronlysetofsuppliesforarealdisaster.This12.5✕9✕2–inchkitweighstwopounds,andalthoughitcontainsmostofwhatyouwillneedforyour72-HourKit,itdoesnotcomewithalloftherecommendeditemslistedlaterinthischapter.Toprepareforaseriousemergency,youwouldneedtobulkupthiskit,usingthelistprovidedlaterinthischapter.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

BEREDCROSSREADYFIRSTAIDKIT

$|RedCrossStore.org|Go-Bag

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Whenyouareinyourcarorwhenwalkingoutinano-carevacuation,thislittlekitmightbewhatyouhaveinyourGo-Bag.Notrecommendedforshelteringinplace,thisminimalkitprovidessuppliesforonlyminorfirstaidemergencies,anditcanbetuckedeasilyintoyourbackpackorautoglovebox.Itweighslessthanapoundandcontainsmostlybandagesandointment,plusastandardemergencyfirstaidguide.

ointment,plusastandardemergencyfirstaidguide.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

CATFIRSTAID

$|RedCrossStore.org|Go-Bag|72-HourKit------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ifyourkittyisfeelingpoorly,youwillwanttomakesureyoucanaddresstheillnessorinjuryonyourown,sinceveterinarycarewillnotlikelybeavailable.ThisbookwasproducedbytheAmericanRedCross,andcomeswithaninstructionaltwenty-eight-minuteDVD.Itincludesgivingyourcatmedication,howtorespondtoabreathingorheartemergency,andafirst-aidreferenceguidethatcoverssixtyfelinemedicalemergencies.Afterviewingthedemonstrations,youmightfeelmoreconfidentaboutbeingastand-inforthevet.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

DOGFIRSTAID

$|RedCrossStore.org|Go-Bag|72-HourKit------------------------------------------------------------------------

Yourdogcanbecomeinjuredorillduringadisaster,whenyoucan’ttakeFidototheveterinarian.Becausetheonusmaybeonyoutoadministeranimalmedicine,thisbookandtwenty-eight-minuteDVDproducedbytheAmericanRedCrosswillshowyouwhatyouneedtodotohelpalleviateyourdog‘ssufferingwhenyoucan’tgettothevet’soffice.Itincludesgivingyourdogmedication,howtorespondtoabreathingorheartemergency,andafirstaidreferenceguidethatcoversalmostseventycaninemedicalemergencies.

HowtoCreateYourEmergencyFirstAidKitTocovermanymedicalneeds

duringandafteradisaster,thefollowinglistcombinesthefirstaidsupplyrecommendationsoftheRedCross,FEMA,andtheMayoClinic.Thecompletekitwillhaveenoughsuppliesforfourpeople—althoughthatisaroughestimate,sinceyoudon’tknowhowlongyouwillneedtorelyonthesuppliesorhowbadlysomeonemightbehurt.Forthosewholiveinremoteareasandforanyonewhowantstobepreparedforlongperiodswithoutmedicalservices,includeapaperbackcopyofWhereThereIsNoDoctoralongwithadditionalfirstaidsupplies.

CommerciallyAvailableFirstAidKitsManybusinesseswanttosellyouafirstaidkit,andtherearemanytochoosefromwithaplethoraofclaimsmadeaboutthesuperiorityofthecontents.Butthe

bestfirstaidkitisoneyouspendtimepersonalizingtosuittheneedsofyourfamily.Simplybuyingakitisbetterthannothing,butitwillnotprepareyourfamilysufficientlyunlessallyourpersonalmedicinesareinit,alongwiththeextrasuppliesthatwillatleastbringyougreaterpeaceofmindduringandafteradisaster.Doyourownresearch.WehaverecommendedtwofirstaidkitssoldbytheAmericanRedCross,butonlywiththecaveatthatyoucustomizeanykityoubuy!

Insidethefirstaidkit,keepapencilandasmallnotebook,soeachtimeanitemisuseditcanbelistedandlaterreplaced.Rotatemedicines,suchaspainrelievers,andusethembeforetheexpirationdates.Youcannotethison your calendar and update first aid supplies when you rotate storedperishablefoodsandwater.

Keep your first aid supplies in a bright-red bag made of sturdywaterprooffabric,soitcaneasilybefoundwhentheneedarises.Insidethe

bag,keepa listof familymedical issuesanda listoftheprescriptiondrugseveryonetakes.Makesureeveryfamilymemberknowswherethefirstaidkitisstored,andthateverypersoncanreachiteasily.

Yourfirstaidkitshouldincludethefollowing:

BANDAGESANDTAPE

1rollerbandage(3incheswide)1rollerbandage(4incheswide)2absorbentcompressdressings(5✕9inches)2triangularbandages5sterilegauzepads(3✕3inches)5sterilegauzepads(4✕4inches)25adhesivebandages(assortedsizes)Adhesiveclothtape(10yards✕1inch)Ducttape

TOPICALTREATMENTS

2hydrocortisoneointmentpackets(approximately1grameach)5antibioticointmentpackets(approximately1grameach)5antisepticwipepacketsPetroleumjellyorlubricantSterileeyewash,suchassalinesolutionSunscreen

TREATMENTAIDS

1breathingbarrier(withone-wayvalve,toperformmouth-to-mouthresuscitation)1instantcoldcompress1Mylarblanket(spaceblanket)

2pairsofnonlatexgloves(sizelarge)Cottonballsandcotton-tippedswabsFirstaidinstructionbookN95respiratormasksorsurgicalmasks(1package)HandsanitzerOralthermometer(notmercury,notglass;testregularlytomakesurethebatterieswork)PlasticbagsfordisposingofcontaminatedmaterialsSafetypinsinassortedsizesScissorsSyringe,medicinecup,orspoonTurkeybasterorotherbulbsuctiondeviceforflushingoutwoundsTweezers

OVER-THE-COUNTERDRUGS2packetsofaspirin(81milligramseach)Activatedcharcoal(useonlyifinstructedbyyourpoisoncontrolcenter)AloeveragelAntacidAntidiarrhealmedicationCalaminelotionHydrocortisonecreamLaxativeNonaspirinpainreliever(nevergiveaspirintochildren)Oralantihistamine,suchasdiphenhydramine(Benadryl,Sominex,etc.)

PRESCRIPTIONDRUGS

Ifprescribedbyyourdoctor,drugstotreatasevereallergicreaction,suchasanautoinjectorofepinephrine(EpiPen,Twinject,etc.)Prescriptionmedicationsyoutakeeveryday,suchasinsulin,heartmedicine,orasthmainhalers(anythingthatdoesnotrequirerefrigeration;periodicallyrotatemedicinestoaccountforexpirationdates)Prescribedmedicalsupplies,suchasglucoseandbloodpressure–monitoringequipmentandsupplies

OnAlert

TofindyournearestCERTtrainingsite,visitCitizenCorps.gov.Onlinetrainingisavailable,butclassroominstructionisanintegralpartofthecertificationprocess.Learnandteachothers.Takeahands-onfirstaidcourseandmaintainyourfirstaidcertification.Anddon’tkeeptheknowledgetoyourself.Inanemergency,yourlifemaydependonthequickresponseofaspouseorevenachild.Teachfamilymemberstoidentifythesignsofdistress—fromchoking,heartattack,andstroketodehydrationandotherconditions—andwhatactionstotake,evenifitisachildalertinganadulttoact.Toeducatefamilymembers,considerviewingoneoftheRedCrosseducationalaides,suchastheDVDAFamilyGuidetoFirstAidandEmergencyPreparedness.Makeitapracticetowatchitatleastonceayear,soeveryonecanreviewwhattheyshoulddoinanemergency.

LightandPower

TLightandPower

hebiggestblackoutinU.S.historyoccurredinlatesummerof2003,leavingforty-fivemillionpeopleineightstateswithoutpowerfordays.In2012,thelargestAtlanticstorminrecordedhistory,Hurricane

Sandy,demolishedthousandsofhomesalongtheeasternseaboard.Itaffectedtwenty-fourstates,claimed285lives,andleftmillionswithoutpowerforweeksinwet,coldweather.Morethan4,100utilityworkersfromtwenty-onestateshadtobecalledintorestorepowertoNewJersey.

Whilethepowerwasout,lifewasnoteasy.Afewwell-preparedfamilieshad the advantage of expensive stationary generators that switch onautomaticallywhen thepower fails.Others generatedelectricitywith gas-powered(andear-splitting)mobilegenerators.Othersresortedtofireplacesforheatandforprimitivecookingindoors,whilesomeusedcampstovesandbarbecue pits outside, though it was hardly the kind of weather forcomfortablegrilling.(Formoreoncooking,seechapter7.)Toprepare,takea look at howyouuse electricity in yourhome and the combinedwattageuse. What can you live without when forced to use a generator? Byminimizingyourconsumptionduringadisaster,youcansatisfyyourpowerneedsmodestlyuntilutilitypowerhasbeenrestoredtoyourhome.

Whenshoppingforanemergencypowergenerator,considerthewattageneedsofyourhome,theamountofgeneratorfuelyoucansafelystoreforanemergency, the amountof generatornoise that canbe toleratedby familyand neighbors, and whether the generator needs to be linked to anautomaticswitchthatstartsitthemomentthepowerfails—evenifyouarenot at home. The switch alone costs about $500, professionally installed,whichmustbefactoredintoyourdecision.

When you’re assembling your 72-Hour Kit, don’t just throw in anordinary flashlight; it can be dangerous in hazardous conditions. Whenpurchasing an emergency flashlight, the key phrase to look for is

“intrinsicallysafe”(seebelow).Intrinsicallysafeflashlightscomeinarangeofprices,butthemostbasiconewilldofine.

Inyour72-HourKit,youwillalsowanttoincludeadeckofcardsandafew board games or read-aloud books to keep everyone entertainedwhileyou wait for power. Children and game-loving adults will discover thatplaying electronic games will drain batteries relatively quickly, and timewithoutlightandpowercanpassveryslowly.

BatterySupplyManagementAsyouassembletheemergencydevicesforyour72-HourKitandGo-Bags,keepacompletelistofallthebatteriesyouwillneedandinwhatsizes.Thencalculatehow

manyextrasyoushouldhaveonhand.Whenpurchasingbatteries,checkthemanufacturedate,andnoteitonyourlistofemergencysuppliestorotate.

IntrinsicallySafeFlashlight

Whenastormoranearthquakeleavesyouinthedarkathome,neverreachfirstforaboxofmatches,acandle,oratraditionalflashlight.Pickupyourspecialemergencyflashlight—anintrinsicallysafemodel.Thismeansthelighthasbeendesignedforuseinhazardoussituations,includinggasleaks.Anintrinsicallysafeflashlightwillnotcreatesparkswhenitisswitchedon;eventhetiniestsparkcansetoffanexplosionorfirewhenusedaroundexplosivesubstances,suchasleakingorbrokengaslinesinyourhome.

Withyour intrinsicallysafe flashlight,checkthehouseholdgas lines tomakesurethereareno leaks. Ifyoususpectmoreearthquakeactivityorapost-hurricanetornado,youcanthen(ifyouhavetheskillstodoso)safelyturnoffthegastoyourhome.Whenyouarecertaintherearenogasleaks,you may then turn to other emergency light sources and address otherneeds.

SuppliesYou’llNeed:LightandPower

------------------------------------------------------------------------

ENERGIZER1-LEDHANDHELDINTRINSICALLYSAFEFLASHLIGHT



------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thisinexpensive,intrinsicallysafeflashlightisagoodchoiceforabasicemergency.ThesinglewhiteLEDlightprovidesplentyoflight.Thebodyiswaterproofandoilandgreaseresistant,andithasabuilt-incarabinerbeltclipandlanyard.Itcansurviveathree-footdropandhasashatterprooflens.ThisflashlighthasbeenapprovedbytheMineSafetyandHealthAdministration(MSHA).ThetworequiredAAbatteriesarenotincluded.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

ENERGIZERINTRINSICALLYSAFE3-LEDHEADLIGHT

$$$|Amazon.com|Go-Bag|72-HourKit

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thisthree-LEDlampisattachedtoanadjustableheadbandforhands-freelight.Theheadlightiswaterproof,shatterproof,andsurvivesasix-footdroptest.Ithasahighandlowwhitebeam,plusredfornightvision,greenforinspectionwork,andaflip-uplensfordiffuse,spot,orarealight.Thelightpivotstodirectthebeamwhereyouneedit.Thelightisinthefrontoftheheadbandandthebatterypackisinthebacktodistributetheweightevenly.ItrunstwentyhoursonhighusingthreeAAbatteries,whichareincluded.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

STREAMLIGHT76411POLYSTINGERLEDHAZ-LOINTRINSICALLYSAFERECHARGEABLEFLASHLIGHT


------------------------------------------------------------------------

Developedforhazardousconditions,thisintrinsicallysaferechargeableLEDflashlightrunsfiftythousandhours,ortwentydayscontinuouslyin“moonlight”mode.Thelensisunbreakablepolycarbonatewithascratch-resistantcoating.Itsdeep-dishparabolicreflectorproducesatightbeam

resistantcoating.Itsdeep-dishparabolicreflectorproducesatightbeamwithgoodperipheralillumination.Thehead-mountedon-offswitchisdesignedforanextremelylonglife.Thislighthasbeenten-footimpact-resistancetestedandisalsowater-resistant.Itcomeswitha12-voltDCcharger.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

CYALUMESNAPLIGHTINDUSTRIALGRADECHEMICALLIGHTSTICKS


------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lightsticks—orglowsticks—arethesafestlighttouseimmediatelyfollowingadisasterbecausetheydonotsparkandtheyareentirelywaterproof.Glowsticksarealsogreattohaveonhandincaseyourunoutofbatteries,becausetheyrequirenopowersource(they’repoweredbyachemicalreactionyouinitiatewhenyouopenthem).Theonlydrawbackisthattheyarenotasbrightasaflashlight.Thesegreensix-inchtubelightshaveashelflifeoffiveyearsfromthemanufacturedate,andtheylasttwelvehoursoncelighted.Theycomeinapackoften.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

RAYOVACSPORTSMANLEDLANTERN(SE3DLN)

$$|Amazon.com|Go-Bag|72-HourKit

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thislittlelanternweighsjust14.4ouncesandrunsonthreeDbatteries,whicharenotincluded.Itproduceslightfroma4-wattLEDbulb.Itwillrunfortyhourscontinuouslyonhighmode,ninetyhoursonlow,andhasastrobemodefunction.YoucansetitsoagreenLEDblinkseveryfivesecondswhenthelanternisoff,makingiteasytofindinthedark.Thelanterniswater-resistant.However,thisisnotanintrinsicallysafelightsource.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

RANGEKLEENWKT416282-BATTERYORGANIZERWITHREMOVABLETESTER


------------------------------------------------------------------------

This12✕12✕1.8–inchplasticorganizercanhelpyoulocateandtestyourbackupbatteriesinanemergency.Itholdseighty-twobatteriesofassortedsizes,includingAA,AAA,C,D,and9-voltbatteries,plushearingaidandwatch-sizebatteries.Itmountsonawallorfitsinadrawer.Yousupplythebatteries—thisisjustacasewitharemovablebatterytester.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

UCOORIGINALCOLLAPSIBLECANDLELANTERN


------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thiscollapsiblecandlelanternfoldsdowntosmallerthanasodacan,butpopsopentoaccommodateanine-hourcandle.Theslidingglasschimneycreatesawindproofenvironmentthatisalsomuchsaferthananopenflameifthecandleisdropped.Aspring-poweredcandletubepushesthecandleupasitburns,keepingtheflameataconstantheight.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

UCO9-HOURCANDLES(20PACK)


------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thisisatwenty-packofcandlesfortheUCOcandlelantern.Eachcandle

Thisisatwenty-packofcandlesfortheUCOcandlelantern.Eachcandleburnsforaboutninehoursandthrowsoffbothheatandlight.Thewaxisdesignedforminimaldripping.UCOalsomakesthree-packsandpacksofcitronellacandles.Whileburningthesecandlesinacandlelanternissaferthananopenflame,litcandlesarestillafirehazardandshouldneverbeleftunattended.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

100-HOURPLUSEMERGENCYCANDLECLEARMIST


------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thiscandleistechnicallyasmalllanternwithasealedfuelsourcethatsupportsonehundredhoursofodorlessandsmokelesscandlelight.Theflamecanbeblownoutandrelighted,asacandlewickwould.Rememberthatallfiresources,suchascandlesandartificialcandles,areafirehazardandshouldbeusedonlywhenconditionsaresafe.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

KOHLER14,000-WATT200-AMPWHOLEHOUSEAUTOMATICTRANSFERSWITCHSTANDBYGENERATOR

$$$$$|HomeDepot.com

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thisstandbygeneratorcanpoweryourwholehouse,andisrecommendedbyConsumerReports.Poweredbyeithernaturalgasorpropane,itautomaticallyturnsoffandonasneeded,shutsdownwhenengineoilislow,andreportedlyrunsveryquietly.Thehousingiscorrosion-proof.Professionalinstallationcanbeexpensive,andtheunitrequiresafifty-dollarbattery,whichisnotincluded.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

TROY-BILTXP7000RUNNINGWATTSPORTABLEGENERATOR

$$$$$|Lowes.com

------------------------------------------------------------------------

ThisportablegeneratorishighlyrecommendedbyConsumerReports.The7,000-watt,gasoline-poweredgeneratorhasanelectricstarter,fuelshutoff(whichpreventsleaksandkeepsfuelfromgettingtrappedinthefuelsystemandspoilingduringstorage),andshutsdownwhenengineoilislow.Ithasapowermeter,anine-gallontankforanaveragefifteenhoursofruntime,andafuelgauge.Itcomeswiththebatteryfortheelectric-startfeatureandincludesastarterbottleofengineoil.Thismachinerunsloud;ConsumerReportsrecommendsusinghearingprotectioncloserthantwenty-threefeet.Likeallgenerators,thisisnotsafetooperateinsideyourhome.

BonusItems

------------------------------------------------------------------------

3-IN-1TRAVELMAGNETICCHESS,CHECKERS,ANDBACKGAMMONSET

$|YMImports.com|72-HourKit

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ifyoufindyourselfshelteringwithouttelevisionorthepowertorechargeelectronicdeviceswithgamesonthem,you’llhavetodosomething.Thisgamesetneedsnopowerandnobatteries.Thethree-in-onecombohasamagneticboardthatholdspiecesinplacewhileyou’replaying,andfoldsupandsnapsclosedtokeepalltheplayingpiecesinside.Thechess-checkersboardisononeside,thebackgammonboardontheother.Allplayingpiecesanddiceareincluded.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

SCRABBLEFOLIOEDITION

$$|Target.com|72-HourKit

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Scrabbleisoneofthosemultigenerationalfavoritegames.ThisScrabblesetcomesinasoft-sidedzippercasewithafullboard,plasticlettertiles,andtileholdersinside.Thelettertilessnapintoplaceonthefoldinggameboard,soyoucanpackupagameandsaveittofinishlater.Ascorepadandpencilareincluded.

GoSolarItiseasytoforgetaboutthenecessityforoutdoorlightingwhenthepowergoesout.Whenthestreetlampsfadetoblack,theoutdoorscanappeardaunting.Whetheryouneedtogettoyour

caroraccessoutdoorstorage,solargardenstakeswillbealifesaver.Asabonus,theycanbefoundforrelativelycheapandcanbeusedyear-round,disasterornot.

OnAlert

Neveroperateapowergeneratorinsideyourhome.Thefumescanbedeadly.Glowstickscanbeactivatedduringpoweroutagesandattachedtoanimalcollars,sodogsandcatscanbeeasilylocatedinthedark.Traditionalflashlightbulbshavelimitedlifespans.Light-emittingdiode(LED)flashlightsaremoredurableandlastuptotentimeslongerthantraditionalbulbs.

FireandFuel

IFireandFuel

nadisaster,firecanbeanimportanttooloraterrifyingthreat.Itcanprovidewarminglight,cookedmeals,andboiled-cleandrinkingwater—beitinthehomefireplaceoroutdoors.Acozyfirecanboostmorale

andevensignalforhelp.But earthquakes and explosions, crashes, bombs, and lightning strikes

canall causeunwanted fires.DuringHurricaneSandy in2012, ahuge firecausedbyseawaterfloodingelectriclineswaswhippedoutofcontrolbythewind and burned more than one hundred homes, devastating thecommunityofBreezyPointinNewYorkCity.

These are the kinds of fires we can’t prevent. However, in the UnitedStates, kitchen fires cause most home fires and are responsible for 81percentofallfire-relatedfatalities.Theoneamazingandwell-documentedtruth about these unwanted fires is that they are entirely avoidable. Sobeforewerunofftobuyflintorgathertwigs,wefirstneedtoknowhowtostopanon-cozyfire—thekindoffirethattakeslives.

FireasaThreat

Firefighterssaythemostimportantlifesavingdeviceyoucanhaveinyourhomeisaproperlyworkingsmokedetector.Whilesomepeoplegetconfusedandirritatedbybattery-lifemanagementandtheshelflifeofthesmokealarmitself—plusthepanicandirritationthatresultsfromanalarmthatsoundswhensomeoneburnsdinner—recentadvancesintechnologyhaveproducedanewkindofsmokedetectorwithaten-yearlifespanthatcomeswithasealedlithiumbatteryreportedtoalsolasttenyears.Thenewdevicesalsocomewithasilencingfeatureforwhenthecookburnssomethingandthehousegetssmoky.Thedesignismeanttosaveyouthe

workofswappingoutbatteriesorrememberinghowmanyyearsthealarmworks;allthat’slefttodoistestthealarmmonthly.

In an emergency, when lighting and cooking may be makeshift orimprovised,weneedtobeespeciallymindfulandrememberthatalmostallfiresarepreventable.Preventingfiresinthehomemeansnotleavingafireunattended—ever.Keepinganeyeonthefireanda lidonthepotcanbealifesavinghabit.

Afireextinguisherisanimportantpartofyour72-HourKit,butyouwillneedtoknowhowtheyworkandwhatkindyouneedbeforeyouorderanextinguisher.ULratingsandstate firemarshalapprovalsare listedon theextinguisher,asiswhatclassoffireitcanbeusedon(seeHowtoExtinguishaFireforalistandexplanationofthefireclasses).Someextinguishershavea ratings number; the ratings number increases with the volume of fire-extinguishing agent contained in the fire extinguisher. So, for example,ClassAfireextinguisherratingsrunfrom1-Ato40-A,andClassBfrom1-Bto 640-B. The higher the number, the greater the volume of fire-extinguishingagent.

Otherextinguishershavestatefiremarshalapprovalsbutnonumericalratings.TheseextinguishersaremarkedC foruseonelectrical fires,D foruseoncombustiblemetalfires(witheachextinguishermatchedtoatypeofmetal),andKforuseinkitchenstofightfiresfueledbyfatandoils.

TheadviceofConsumerReports isnot tobuyaerosol flameretardants,because all the products they tested were unreliable. Instead, buy anapproved fire extinguisher manufactured within the last year with apressure indicator reading “full.” Problematically, not all manufacturershave a date of manufacture—this omission is especially unfortunatebecause chemical extinguishers have a twelve-year shelf life, according totheNationalFireProtectionAssociation(NFPA).

HowtoExtinguishaFire

FIRETYPE EXTINGUISHINGAGENT EXTINGUISHINGMETHOD

OrdinarysolidmaterialsWaterFoamDrychemical

RemovesheatRemovesairandheatBreakschainreaction

Drychemical Breakschainreaction

FlammableliquidsFoamCOFoamdrychemical

RemovesairBreakschainreaction

ElectricalequipmentCO2Drychemical

RemovesairBreakschainreaction

Combustiblemetals Specialagents Usuallyremovesair

Kitchenoils Chemical Usuallyremovesair

CLASSESOFFIRE

Toaidinextinguishingfires,firesarecategorizedintoclassesbasedonthetypeoffuelthatisburning:

ClassAFires:Ordinarycombustiblessuchaspaper,cloth,wood,rubber,andmanyplastics.

ClassBFires:Flammableliquids(e.g.,oils,gasoline)andcombustibleliquids(e.g.,charcoallighterfluid,kerosene).Thesefuelsburnonlyatthesurfacebecauseoxygencannotpenetratethedepthofthefluid.Onlythevaporburnswhenignited.

ClassCFires:Energizedelectricalequipment(e.g.,wiring,motors).Whentheelectricityisturnedoff,thefirebecomesaClassAfire.

ClassDFires:Combustiblemetals(e.g.,aluminum,magnesium,titanium).

ClassKFires:Cookingoils(e.g.,vegetableoils,animaloils,fats).

Itisextremelyimportanttoidentifythetypeoffuelfeedingthefireinordertoselectthecorrectmethodandagentforextinguishingthefire.

WhatIsaULRating?UL(UnderwritersLaboratories)isanindependent,not-for-profitsafetyconsultingandcertificationcompanythatisapprovedbytheOccupationalSafetyandHealth

Administration(OSHA)toperformsafetytesting.Itprovidessafety-relatedcertification,validation,testing,inspection,auditing,advising,andtrainingservices.AULratingmeanstheproducthasbeenindependentlysafetytested.

SuppliesYou’llNeed:FireasaThreat

------------------------------------------------------------------------

FIRSTALERTSA305CNSMOKEALARM

$$|Amazon.com

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Getasmokealarmandtestitmonthly.Thisoneisamongthenewsmokealarmsthatusesten-yearlithiumbatteries(9volts,sealed).Thismodelcomeswithasilencebuttonforwhenthecookinggetsalittlesmoky,andatestbuttontocheckiteverymonth.It’stamper-resistantandwarnswhenthebatteryisrunninglow.The85-decibelalarmislikelytowakeevensoundsleepers.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

KIDDEKN-COSM-BBATTERY-OPERATEDCOMBINATIONCARBONMONOXIDEANDSMOKEALARMWITHTALKINGALARM

$$$|Amazon.com

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Notallstatesrequireacarbonmonoxidedetector,butthissilentkillerisarealdanger,andit’sagoodideatohaveadetector.ThiscombinationsmokeandCOdetectorhasatalkingalarmtotellyouexactlywhattypeofhazardithasdetected.Atestbuttonresetsthealarm,anda“hush”buttonletsyoueasilycancelthealarm.Thismodeldoesnotcomewithlong-lifebatteries,soyouwillneedtoroutinelychangethethreeAAAbatteries;theunitwilltellyouwhenthebatteryislow.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

KIDDEFA110MULTIPURPOSEFIREEXTINGUISHER1A10BC


------------------------------------------------------------------------

ThisfireextinguisherisULrated,CoastGuardapproved,1-Aand10-B:C,whichmeansitisdesignedtofightbasicfirescommontothehome,includingthoseinvolvingfabrics,plastics,wood,flammableliquids,andelectricalequipment.Itisfittedwithapressuregaugethattellsyouthefireextinguisherischarged.There’salsoalarge,clearinstructionlabelpastedontheside.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

KIDDEFX10KKITCHENFIREEXTINGUISHER,82CI


------------------------------------------------------------------------

ThisfireextinguisherisULrated.Itusesanontoxicfire-suppressingagentspecifiedforkitchenfiresandenergizedelectronicequipment.Thereisapressuregaugeontop,aneasy-to-pullsafetypin,andanylonhandlethatwon’trust.Thiscomeswithawallhangerandismadeforasingleuse.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

KIDDEKL-2STWO-STORYFIREESCAPELADDERWITHANTISLIPRUNGS

$$$|Amazon.com

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thisthirteen-footbasicfireescapeladderisafootwideandcanholduptoonethousandpoundswhentheloadisdistributedonmorethanonerung,or750poundsononerung.Therungsareantislipzinc-platedsteel,andtherailsarenylonstrapping.Theladderisflameresistant.Itfoldsupaccordion-style,withcurvedarmsatthetopthatsecureitunderawindowsill.Italsocomesinatwenty-five-footlength.It’sagoodideatoremovetheladderfromtheboxbeforestoringitforanemergency!

OnAlert

Preservinglife(notstuff)isyourfirstpriority,always!Useafireextinguisherthatisappropriateforthetypeoffirethathasstarted.Whenfleeingafire,closedoorsasyouexittoslowthespreadoffire.

FireasaTool

Forfireneededinapoweroutage,stockfirestartersanddryfuelinyour72-HourKit.Makesureyouhavethefuelandthewaterproofmatches(orotherfire-startingdevice,ofwhichtherearemany)tobuildafireeveninwetweather.Ifyouarenotexperiencedinbuildingafire,watchavideooraskacampingenthusiasttoshowyouhow.Shortofthat,buycompositelogs(seebelow),whicharemadeofcompressedsawdustandwaxorothermaterialsthatcatchfirerelativelyquickly.Anemergencyisnotimetolearnhowtobuildatraditionalwoodfire,whichcanbeverydifficultattimesevenforexperiencedcampersandhikers.

Ifyouareshelteringathomeandcanuseyourfireplace,makesuretheflueisopenandthatyoustartyourfireatthefarbackofthefireplace.Thishelpsimprovethedrawofsmokeupwardandoutoftheroom.

Whether for cooking, driving, heating, or to use in your generator, abackup supply of fuel can come in handy. According to the AmericanPetroleum Institute, gasoline can be safely stored in approved containers(seethe“StoringGasoline”boxbelow)oflessthanfivegallonseachforuptotwo years. They recommend storing a total of twenty-five gallons or less,anditshouldbestoredatroomtemperature,awayfromanysourcesofheator sparks, andnot inyourhomeorgarage.Diesel fuelbegins tooxidizeassoonasitleavestherefinery,soitlastsforonlysixtotwelvemonths.

Kerosenedoesnotevaporateaseasilyasgasoline,makingitlessvolatile.Kerosenehasa shelf lifeofabout threemonths inaplasticcontainer (useoneapprovedforstoringgasoline).Afteraboutthreemonths,bacteriaandmoldmay begin to form in the container. Sunlight degrades kerosene, sokeepitinadarkplace.

Ifyouhaveapropanegrillorusepropaneinyourkitchen,thegoodnewsisthatpropaneisoneoftheeasiestfuelstostore.Propanedoesnotdegradeovertime,thewaygasolineandkerosenecan,soit’sonlythecontaineryouneedtoworryabout.Keepitdryandrustfree.

A supply of seasonedwood is also a necessity if your emergencyplansincludeusinga fireplace,wood-burning stove, or cookingover a campfire.Forcampfirecooking,charcoalisalsoagoodoption.Storeitinawatertightcontainer. For more information about storing fuels, visitTheReadyStore.com.

StoringGasolinePlasticmilkjugs,antifreezecontainers,andglassbottlesarenotsuitableforcarryingorstoringgasoline.Someplasticsbecomebrittleastheyage,andsomearechemicallyincompatiblewithgasoline.Gasoline

expandsandcontractsasitstemperaturechanges,andsomecontainerscannotwithstandthepressureofthatchangeinvolume.Somecontainersthatareactuallysoldasgascanscannotbesealedwellenoughtopreventspilling.

ThebestcontainersforgasolinearesafetycansapprovedbyULorFactoryMutual(FM).Safetycansareavailableinseveralsizesandhavevariousmechanismsforopeningthevalvetopourthegasoline.Somehaveafunnelspouttomakepouringeasierandreducespills.Althoughthebetteronescostmore,theyaremuchsaferandwilllastlonger.Youwillfindagascanrecommendationinchapter13.

SuppliesYou’llNeed:FireasaTool

------------------------------------------------------------------------

UCOSTORMPROOFMATCHKITWITHWATERPROOFCASE


------------------------------------------------------------------------

Householdmatchescangetsoggy,andwetmatcheswillnotlight.Foryour72-HourKit,considerthissetoftwenty-five“stormproof“matches.Theycomeinawaterproofcontainerthatfloats,anditincludesthreestrikingsurfacesthatslideintoaholderonthesideofthecontainer.Eachmatchisreportedtobewindproofandwillburnaboutfifteensecondsbeforegoingout,evenunderwater.Refillpacksofmatchesarealsoavailable.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

LIGHTNINGNUGGETSN100SEBFIRESTARTERS


Forgettingawoodfirestarted,theseround,pine-scentedsawdust-and-waxpelletscanbeusedinplaceoftinderorkindling.Theycanbestoredindefinitelyinyour72-HourKit,andareanonexplosivefuelsource.Theyworkwithjustaboutanytypeoffuel,includingwood,coal,andcharcoal.Thiseconomy-sizeboxholdsonehundredfire-startingnuggets.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

WOODPRODUCTS9910FATWOODBOX


------------------------------------------------------------------------

Anydrywoodwilldotobuildafire,butthisten-poundcaseofpinewithahandlemakesthewoodeasiertotransportinyourvehicleforanevacuation,andeasiertostackwithotherstoredsuppliesforyour72-HourKitathome.Thewoodiscutfrompinestumpsthathaveahighconcentrationofresin,whichmeansitcanbestartedwithamatch,evenwhenit’swet—soit’salsohandyasafirestarter.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

MAGNESIUMFIRESTARTER


------------------------------------------------------------------------

Justincaseallyourmatchesgetwet(orused),thiscanbeagoodbackup.Itworksonthesameprincipleasflintandsteel:bycreatingaspark.Thetoolconsistsofasmallblockofmagnesiumthatiswaterproofandfireproofinitssolidform.Usinganattachedserratedblade,youscrapesomemagnesium

solidform.Usinganattachedserratedblade,youscrapesomemagnesiumshavingsintoalittlepileonsomethingthatcatchesfireeasily,suchasfibers,paper,moss,orkindling.Thenyouscrapethesmallflintrodtocreateaspark.Thefiregeneratedasthemagnesiumshavingsburnisextremelyhotandwilligniteevendampkindling.Allthepartsfoldtogetherontoapackagejust2.75incheslong.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

CREOSOTESWEEPINGLOGFORFIREPLACES(PACKOF2)


------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thisisnotareplacementforgettingyourchimneysweptprofessionally,butinapinchitcanhelpreducethedangerousbuild-upthatcauseschimneyandatticfires.Youplacetheloginyourfireplaceasyouwouldanyotherlog,butbyitself.Youlightit,lettingitburnbyitselfuntilthefuelhasbeenexhausted.Thechemicalsembeddedintheproductworktoeliminatesomeofthecreosotethatlinesyourchimney,althoughnotallofit.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

STOVEINACAN


------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thislittlestovekitcomesinahalf-galloncanandcontainsfourfuelcells,afuelring,acookingring,andwaterproofmatches.Thefuelisnontoxic,water-resistant,andnonexplosive,andeachcellburnsforaboutonehour.Oncethefuelisfullyignited,itboilswaterinaboutfiveminutes.Itcanbelit,used,extinguished(byplacingthelidbackonthecan),andreusedmultipletimes.Thewholekitweighs2.75poundsandcanbestoredindefinitely.Thisisforoutdooruseonly.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------------------------------

FIRESENSE22-INCHFOLDINGFIREPIT


------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thislittleportablefireplacewillaccommodateanysolidfuel,fromwoodtocoal.Ithasatwenty-two-inchheat-resistantpaintedsteelfirebowlandfoldinglegsforportability.Theheat-resistantmeshfirescreenontopisanicesafetyfeature.Italsoincludesawoodgrate,acookinggrate,andascreenlifttool.Thewholethingfoldsupintoameshbag(whichisincluded).Thesmallsizemakesthisgreatforthrowinginthebackofthecar,andforthosewhohavejustalittlebitofoutdoorspace—perhapsontheterraceofanapartmentbuilding.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

COBRACODIAMONDMESHFIREPIT

$$$|AvantGardenDecor.com|72-HourKit

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Apricierandbiggerversionoftheportablefirepitisessentiallyabackyardfireplaceonlegs.Thisoneismadeofsteelandmeasures39✕14inches.Thefive-inch-widetableedgerunningaroundthefirepitcouldbeusefulforholdingcookingitemsandmightbeusedasaneatingtableifyouareshelteringoutdoors.Itcomeswithaprotectivevinylcover,andawiremeshscreencovertoprotectyoufromflyingembers.Thisisforoutdooruseonly.

OnAlert

Neveruseacampstoveorotherflame-producingcookingdeviceindoors.Potsandpanswithnonsticksurfacesaregenerallynotsafetouse

whencookingoveragrilloranopenfire.Theywillburn.Storematchesinawaterproofcontaineralongwithapieceoffinesandpaper,soifthestrikingsurfaceonthematchboxwearsdown,youcanstilllightthematches.

CommunicationandNavigation

D

CommunicationandNavigation

isastersoftenseparatefamilymembers.InthewakeoftheterroristattacksontheWorldTradeCenteronSeptember11,2001,evenwhiletheashwasstillgrayingthestreets,heartrendingnotesandflyers

werepostedbypeopletryingtofindmissinglovedones.Disasterscrippleallkindsofcommunicationservices.WhenHurricane

Katrina,oneofthemostdestructivenaturaldisastersinU.S.history,strucktheGulfCoast,ithitthirty-eight911callcenters,disruptinglocalemergencyservices.MorethanthreemillionphonelinesinLouisiana,Mississippi,andAlabamawere blown out, aswere half the local radio stations and almosthalfthetelevisionstations.

In a crisis, we need to find our loved ones and to receive news andservices. That’s why it’s critical when preparing for a disaster to have afamilycommunicationplanandanemergencyradio—preferablythehand-crank type, so you are not dependent on batteries or electricity whenneithermaybeavailable.

Howeveryoudefinefamily—whetherit’s justyouorincludesaspouse,children, pets, or a care attendant—you need to make a plan forcommunicatingafteradisaster.Thisplanwill informallmembersofyourfamilywhattodoandhowtodoit.(Disabledpeopleshouldhaveamedicalalertbuttonandregisterwiththelocalpolicesotheycangetthehelptheymay need after an emergency.) If you have a smartphone, you shouldsubscribe to e-mail and text alerts from your local Office of EmergencyManagement website (just type “Office of Emergency Management” andyourtownintoanysearchengine).However,ahand-crankradiowillworkevenwhencellphoneandotherbatteriesdieandthepowerisoutallaroundyou.

HowtoCreateaFamilyCommunicationPlan

Discussamongfamilymembersthekindsofsituationsinwhichyoumightbeseparatedduringadisaster.Designatearelativeorfriendoutofstatewhowillagreetobethecontactforfamilymembers,sinceitislikelytobeeasiertomakealong-distancecallthanalocaloneduringanemergency.Enterthatperson’snameandnumberasyourInCaseofEmergency(ICE)contactinyourcellphone.Ifnecessary,getprepaidphonecardsforpublicphonesifanyfamilymemberdoesnothaveacellphone.

Makesureall familymemberswhohavecellphonesknowhowtotext,since texts are the recommended form of communication in a disaster(textingdoesnotclognetworksthewayvoicecallsdo).

Designatetwomeetingplaceswhereeveryonecangather.Thefirstoneshould be just outside your home, and the second should be outside yourneighborhood.Makesureeachchildknowswherethemeetingplaceisandwhat todowhilewaiting for others to arrive.Go to the site as a family sochildrenwillknowandremember.

Family members should always carry identification. Make sure toincludemapsofyourlocalareainyourGo-Bag,evenifyouknowyourwayaround.Roadsmaybeclosedorcloggedandyoumighthavetofindalternateroutes.

CarryYourCompleteIDForeachmemberofyourfamily,includingchildren,createanidentificationcardtobekeptinawalletorschoolbackpack.Templatesareavailableforadultsandchildrenonline

atReady.gov.

SuppliesYou’llNeed:CommunicationandNavigation

------------------------------------------------------------------------

AREAMAPS



------------------------------------------------------------------------

Collectmapsofyourtown,region,andstate—notthemapsyouuseeverydaybutmapsyoustashinyourGo-Bag.MapQuestandGoogleMapsaregoodonlineresourcesformapsyoucanprintinadvanceandplaceinawaterproofbagorpouch.Forsimplifiedmapsofadowntownareathatachildmighteasilyfollow,tryyourlocalchamberofcommerce.Makesurethesimplifiedmaphasthestreetsleadingtoyourout-of-neighborhoodmeetingplace,asdesignatedinyourfamilycommunicationplan.Youcanevenmarkthemeetingplaceonthemap.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

KWIKTEKDRYPAKMULTI-PURPOSECASE


------------------------------------------------------------------------

Youcanbuyawaterproofmapcase,butthisproductismoreversatileforyourGo-Bag.It’saninexpensivewaterproofpouchmadeofclearvinylthatcanbeusedtostoremapsandotheritemstokeepthemdry.Thepouchmeasures9✕12inches—bigenoughformaps,yourID,acellphone,andasmallflashlight.IthasayellowsealingclipandtwoD-ringsatthebottom.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

GARMINETREX10WORLDWIDEHANDHELDGPSNAVIGATOR


------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ifatechnologicaldevicegivesyoumorenavigationalcomfortthanmaps,thishandheldGPSisrainproof(notsubmersionproof).The2.2-inchdisplayispreloadedwithaworldwidereliefmapandcanaccommodatetopographic,marine,androadmaps.ItusestwoAAbatteries(notincluded)thatwillrunitfortwentyhours.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

MILITARYPRISMATICSIGHTINGCOMPASS


------------------------------------------------------------------------

Acompassisanoutdoorsurvivalnecessity.Itshowsthewaytogo.Youcanfindacheaperplasticmodel,orpaymuchmoreforstyle,bettermaterials,andcolor,butinadisaster,thiscompasswillserveyourneedsjustfine.Thisbasicmilitary-style(madeinChina)compasscomeswithawater-resistantnylonpouch.Youcangetyourbearingsoutdoorsbyseeingwhereyouareheading—north,east,south,orwest—andsetoutinthecorrectdirectionifyouareusingamap.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

BUSHNELLGPSBACKTRACKPERSONALLOCATOR


------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thistrackingdevicemightbeusedduringanemergencyinwhichyouhavetohikeorwalkintoareasunknown.If,forexample,youhadtoparkyourcaronthesideoftheroadandwalksomedistanceintoawoodedarea,youcouldprogramthedevicetoleadyoubacktoyourcar.IthasaGPSreceiverandaself-calibratingdigitalcompass.Itcanstoreandlocateuptothreelocations.ItrunsontwoAAAbatteries(notincluded)andcomesinfivecolors.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

MOTOROLAMH230R23-MILERANGE22-CHANNELFRS/GMRSTWO-WAYRADIOS



------------------------------------------------------------------------

NotessentialtoyourGo-Bagbutpossiblyusefulforkeepingintouchoutdoorsduringadisaster,thispairoftwo-wayradios,orwalkie-talkies,hasarangeoftwenty-threemiles.Wechosethismodelbecauseit’swaterproof.Itrunstenhoursonalkalinebatteriesoreighthoursonrechargeablebatteries(whichareincluded).Italsoreceiveselevenweatherchannels.Thissetcomesinathree-pack,too.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

REDCROSSFRX1ETONEMERGENCYRADIO

$$|RedCrossStore.org|Go-Bag|72-HourKit

------------------------------------------------------------------------

TherearethreeemergencyradiostheRedCrossnotonlyapprovesbutalsosells,allmanufacturedbyEton.Abasicradioisonlytwenty-fivedollars,butasyougetmorefeatures,thepricegoesup.Onthismostbasicmodel,youcrankthehandturbineforsixtysecondsandgetfifteentotwentyminutesofradioplay.ThisisanAM,FM,andNOAA(NationalOceanicandAtmosphericAdministration)weatherbandanalogradio.Italsohasabuilt-inhand-crankLEDflashlightanditglowsinthedark.Thereisaninternalrechargeablenickel–metalhydridebattery,andaheadphonejack.

------------------------------------------------------------------------


$$|RedCrossStore.org|Go-Bag|72-HourKit

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Crankthehandturbineforsixtysecondsandyou’llgetaboutfifteenminutesofradioplay.ThisisanAM,FM,andNOAAweatherbandanalogradio.Ithasaninternalrechargeablenickel–metalhydridebatteryandaUSBport,soyoucanchargeitbypluggingitintoyourcomputer.Youcan

USBport,soyoucanchargeitbypluggingitintoyourcomputer.YoucanalsousetheUSBportandthehandcranktorechargeyourcellphone.Thisradiocanalsobechargedbypluggingitintoawalloutlet,orbyusingthebuilt-insolarcharger(ifit’ssunny).ItincludesanLEDflashlight,aheadphonejack,andglow-in-the-darkhousing.

------------------------------------------------------------------------


$$$|RedCrossStore.org|Go-Bag|72-HourKit

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Onthishand-crankradioyoucangetallsevenNOAAweatherbandradiobroadcasts,plusAMandFMradiowithadigitaldisplay.Thisradiohasaninternalrechargeablenickel–metalhydridebatteryandanoptiontopoweritwithAAAbatteries.There’saDCpowerinputwithamini-USBcableincluded,plusanAUXinputtoplaymusicfromanexternalMP3player,alongwithaheadphonejack.Thismodelincludesathree-LEDflashlightandaredLEDflashingbeacon,plusanalarmclock.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

ETONREDCROSSCLIPRAYFLASHLIGHT

$|ShopEtonCorp.com|Go-Bag|72-HourKit

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Whilethisismarketedasaflashlight,perhapsitsbestfeatureisthatitdoublesasacellphonecharger.Inanemergency,youcan’trelyonelectricalpower,sohavingahand-crankchargermaybealifesaver.BoththeUSBcellphonechargerandtheLEDlightrunonahandcrank.Thislittledeviceweighsjustunderfiveouncesandmeasures2.25✕6✕1.25inches.TheCliprayflashlightisnotanintrinsicallysafeflashlight,sodon’tuseitifyoususpectgasleaks.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

SOLARPOWEREDBACKUPBATTERYANDCHARGERFORPORTABLEDEVICES


------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thissolarchargerusesthesuntochargeupitsinternallithium-ionbattery.ItthendolesoutthepowertoanyUSB-powereddevice.Itcanchargeyourphonebatteryonlyupto50percent,butinanextendedpoweroutagewhenyoucan’tpluginyourcharger,thiscouldbearealtreasureinyour72-HourKit.ItcomeswithaUSBcable,suctioncupssoyoucanattachittoahomeorcarwindowtocatchrays,andalittleadjustableLEDlight.

HowtoExtendtheLifeofYourCellPhoneBattery

Inadisaster,howevermuchyoumightbetemptedtofollowthedisasteronyoursmartphone,ortoplaydivertinggamesorwatchmovies—don’t.Youneedtoleavecommunicationlinesuncloggedbyentertainmentusessothat911emergencycallscangetthrough.Yourusualcellphonehabitscouldalsoshortenthebatterylifeofyourphone.

Extendcellphonebattery lifebyclosingunusedapps thatdrawpowerand by putting your phone in airplane mode. Because the phone won’tsearch for a network signal in airplane mode, the battery lasts longer. Ifnecessary,youcangetnewsalertsonyourcarradio,butunlessyouareontheroad,werecommendanemergencyradio.

Keepextrabatteriesandphonechargersreadyforapoweroutage.Whenyour phone battery runs out, recharge your phone in the car, if possible—butbewareof carbonmonoxide fumes from the car exhaust if youhavethecarinanattachedgarage!Donotrunthecarunlessthehouseissealedfromthesefumesandthegarageiswellventilated.

SubscribetoAlertServicesBeforeaDisasterStrikesMostcommunitiesnowhavesystemsthatwillsendaninstanttextmessageore-mailtogiveyouupdatesaboutbadweather,localemergencies,

andotherlife-threateningwarnings.VisityourlocalOfficeofEmergencyManagementwebsiteandsignup.

Smartphoneappsareanotherwaytechnologycanhelpkeepyouuptodate,orsavealife.Therearenumerousappsdedicatedtohelpingpeople,andpets,duringanemergency.PopularappsincludeeverythingfromanEmergencyRadioappthatallowsyoutohavetheemergencyfrequenciesofalmostallthemajorpoliceandemergencydepartmentsaswellasairtrafficcontroltoPocketFirstAid,anappthatinformsyouofproceduresforsavingaperson’slife.

OnAlert

Duringanemergency,somanypeopletryingtousetheirwirelessandland-basedtelephonesatthesametimecreatesnetworkcongestion.Tofreeupnetworkspaceforemergencycommunications(andpreserveyourphonebattery),usetextingtocontactothers,andlimityournonemergencycalls.Ifyouareredialingonamobilephone,waittensecondsaftereachcallbeforedialingagain,oryouwillcontributetocloggingthenetwork.Ifyoumustevacuate,forwardyourlandlinenumbertoyourwirelessnumbertogetincomingcalls.

HygieneandSanitation

DHygieneandSanitation

isastersmakehygienecomplicated.Brokensewerlinescancontaminatedrinkingwaterandexposeyoudirectlytountreatedwasteproducts.Floodingcanposeoneofthegreatestdangersto

hygienebecausefloodwaters,whichcancontainrawsewage,amongotherthreats,dispersepathogens.Themorethan150,000peoplewhoremainedintheNewOrleansareawhenHurricaneKatrinamadelandfallwerenotonlyatriskfrominjuryordrowning,buttheywereexposedduringandafterthehurricanetopathogensbroughtbyfloodwaters.Everysurfaceofyourhomemustbesanitizedafteraflood.Andyoushouldnotdrinkthelocalwatersupplyuntilithasbeentestedanddeclaredsafe.

Shortoftheseserioushealththreats,disastercanmeannohotwaterforshowersorbaths,ornowater,period.Thosewhohavepreparedwillhavesomestoredwaterandtherightkindofbleachtopurifywater(seechapter2formoreonsafewater).

For first aid emergencies tended to at home or the workplace, youremergencykitwill contain gloves, amask, andplentyofhand sanitizer sothathygienecanbemaintainedwhiledressingwoundsortendingtothesick(seechapter5formoreonfirstaid).And,ofcourse,useonlypurifiedwatertocleanawound.

Finally, hygiene in a disaster might mean human waste must becollected and disposed of safely to prevent the spread of disease. Humanwastemustbeburied inasecure locationorstored intightlysealedheavyplasticcontainersuntilproperdisposalbecomesavailable.

BleachItAllAwayThefirstrecordeduseofchlorinebleachasamedicaldisinfectantwasinAustriain1847attheViennaGeneralHospital.Therightkindofchlorinebleachisapracticalandeffectivedisinfectant—therightkind

meansitmustcontainatleast5.25percenthypochloriteasthemainingredient.Thefood-processingindustryuseschlorinebleachtokillhazardousbacteriasuchaslisteria,salmonella,andE.colion

equipment.Sodiumhypochloriteaddedtowaterkillsthewaterborneorganismsthatcausetyphoidfeverandcholera.Chlorinebleachcanalsokilldangerousbacteriaandvirusesonsurfaces.Itisespeciallyvaluableasadisinfectantbecausepathogensare

bleachcanalsokilldangerousbacteriaandvirusesonsurfaces.Itisespeciallyvaluableasadisinfectantbecausepathogensarenotabletodevelopimmunityagainstit,astheyhavedoneagainstcertaindrugs.

SuppliesYou’llNeed:HygieneandSanitation

------------------------------------------------------------------------

TOILETPAPERANDRELATEDPRODUCTS


------------------------------------------------------------------------

Themostdifficultthingaboutstoringtoiletpaperforyourkitisfindingroomforitandmakingsureyoudon’tuseitupbeforeanemergency!Buytheamountyourfamilywoulduseinthreetosevendays,thenbagit(orevendoublebagit)inplasticforextraassurancethatitstaysdry.Forinfantsandotherswithmedicalconditionswhorequirecommerciallypackagedcleansingwipes,makesureyoustockuponthoseaswell.Anddon’tforgetproductsformenstruatingwomenandgirls.Setasideasupplyofplasticdisposalbagswithtwistties,forproperwastemanagementduringanemergency.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

SCENSIBLESPERSONALDISPOSALBAGSFORSANITARYPADSANDTAMPONS


------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thesebiodegradablebagsforthesanitarydisposaloftamponsandsanitarypadscomefiftytoabox.Theyarelightlyscented,measure3.5✕9.75✕2

inches,andhaveabuilt-intiehandleclosure.Antimicrobialagentsarebuiltrightintothebagtoinhibitthegrowthofbacteria.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

GERBER22-41578GORGEFOLDINGSHOVEL


------------------------------------------------------------------------

Forthosefortunateenoughtohaveayardinwhichtodigalatrine,thisfoldingshovelwillworkfine.Butifyouryardhasbeenflooded,usethehomemadeemergencylatrinedescribedattheendofthischapter,orpurchaseone.Thisfoldingshovelcanbeusedformudandsnowremoval,aswellaslatrinediggingandotheremergencytasks.Ithasapaddednylonhandleandcomesinahandybag.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

COMFORTBATHPERSONALCLEANSING,ULTRA-THICKDISPOSABLEWASHCLOTHS


------------------------------------------------------------------------

Therewon’talwaysbewaterforbathing.Whenyou’reconservingallwaterfordrinking,usetheseno-rinsewashclothsthatcomeinaboxoffourpackages,eachcontainingeightdisposablewashcloths.Theycontainarinse-freecleanser,plusaloeveraandvitaminE.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

PURELLSANITIZINGHANDWIPES


------------------------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Must-haves,theseeconomicallypricedwipesearnedthehighestratingsfromConsumerReportsforeffectivelysanitizinghandswithoutwater.Eachwipeis5✕7inches.Thisisthelargeboxofonehundredindividuallywrappedwipes.Wipesthatarenotindividuallywrappedandcomeinlargepop-upcontainerscandryoutafterthecontainerisopened.Handsanitizeralsocomesinpumpbottles,andthoseworkfine,butawipeiseasierifyouwanttocleanyourfaceoryourchildren.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

RELIANCELUGGABLELOOTOILETSEATANDBUCKET

$$|AustinKayak.com|72-HourKit

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thisbucketprovidesaplacetoeliminateandcontainthewastewhenusinganoutdoorlatrineisnotfeasible.Morethanjustafive-gallonbucket,itistoppedwitharoundseatthatusersreportisverysturdy.Thebucketmuststillbelinedwithaplasticbag(notincluded)forproperwastedisposal.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

CLEANWASTEGOANYWHEREPORTABLETOILET


------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thistoiletfoldsupintoa5✕19✕14–inchpackage,andunfoldstoroughlythesameheightandseatdimensionsasastandardtoilet.Aremovablemeshholdersupportsawaste-collectionbag,soyoucanuseplasticbagsaswastereceptacles.Itcomeswiththreebiodegradablewaste-collectionbagsthatuseeco-friendlypowdertoturnliquidwasteintoanodorlesssolid.Alidprotectstheseatwhennotinuseandremovesforstabilityunderthelegs

whenyousetuponsoftground.Thetoiletweighssevenpoundsandwillsupportupto250pounds.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

TOILETSEAT


------------------------------------------------------------------------

Moreeconomicalthanbuyingawholeportabletoiletkit,youcanjustbuythistoiletlidanduseitwiththehomemadeemergencytoiletdescribedattheendofthischapter.Themoldedseatandlidsnapsontoafive-gallonbucketcontainer.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

CLEANWASTEBULKPOOPOWDER


------------------------------------------------------------------------

Althoughitiskindofpricey,thisnontoxicpowdermakesitpossibletoextendthelifeofyourwastecollectionbagsusedforportablelatrines.Itworksabitlikeclumpingkittylitter,turningliquidwasteintoasolid.Onescoopofpowdertreatsuptotwenty-oneouncesofliquidorsolidwaste,preventingbacksplashandmakingthewasteeasiertotransportcleanly.Thiscanistercontains120scoopsofwastetreatmentandameasuringscoop.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

WORLD’SBESTCATLITTERMULTIPLECATCLUMPINGFORMULA

$$|PetFoodDirect.com|72-HourKit

------------------------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------------------------------

ClumpingkittylitterwilldomuchthesamejobasPooPowder—capturingliquidwasteandclumpingitintoaballoflitter,whichcanhelpcontrolthewasteinyouremergencylatrine.Thislittergetshighmarksforclumping,ismadefromcorn,andisbiodegradable.Italsocomesinalavender-scentedvariety.Getthetwenty-eight-poundbagmultiple-catformula—asinglecat’sliquidoutputisfarlessthanahuman’s.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

STANSPORTCABANAPRIVACYSHELTERTENT


------------------------------------------------------------------------

Whileatarpandsomenyloncordcancreateprivacy,thisfree-standingprivytentissturdierandoffersmorecompleteprivacy.Itissupportedbyfiberglasspoleswithsleevedguidesandstake-outringsforwindyareas.Thetentitselfisnylonwithscreenedwindowsandventsdesignedtoblocktheviewbutallowventilation,andithasazippereddoor.Ameshstoragepocketinsidegivesyouaplacetoputthetoiletpaper.Itmeasures7✕4✕4feetwhensetup.

HowtoMakeanEmergencyToilet

SUPPLIES

5-gallonbucketHeavy-dutygarbagebagswithtwisttiesLiquidantibacterialsoapand/ortowelettesPlainhouseholdbleach(atleast5.25percenthypochlorite)Substrate:sand,sawdust,clumpingkittylitter,orshredded

newspapersToiletpaper

ASSEMBLINGTHETOILETANDHYGIENIC“FLUSH”LIQUIDLinethebucketwithagarbagebag.Putsubstrateinthebottomtopreventsplashesandabsorbliquids.Makeasolutionofbleach—1partbleachto10partswater(1:10).

USINGTHEBUCKET

Afterusingthebucket,poursomebleachsolutionintothebucket(tohelppreventair-borncontaminantsfromspreading).Useatwisttietoclosethetoiletbagbetweenuses.Washyourhandswithliquidsoaporuseasanitizingwipetocleanse.

MANAGINGTHEWASTE

Changethetoiletbagsdaily.Donotputthewaste-filledbagsinthegarbage.Collectthebagsuntilthereisameansofproperlydisposingofthemafterthedisaster.

BeforeEverythingHitstheFanSepticsystemsandcommunitywastewatersystemsplayvitalrolesinsanitationanddiseasepreventionbyremovingharmfulviruses,bacteria,andparasites.Ifdamagedduringanemergencysuchasa

flood,hurricane,orearthquake,thesesystemscanbecomeverydangerous.Thisdamagecanleadtocontaminationoftheenvironmentanddrinkingwatersupplyandresultinanincreasedriskfordisease.Besuretoprepareyoursepticsystembeforeanemergencybysealingtheutilityholeand/orinspectionportstokeepexcesswateroutoftheseptictank.Topreventyourseptictankfromcollapsingorfloating,makesureitisatleasthalffull.Ifyoursepticsystemrequireselectricity,turnoffthepumpatthecircuitboxbeforetheareafloodsandwaterproofallelectricalconnectionstoavoidelectricalshockordamagetowiring,pumps,andtheelectricalsystem.

Duringastateofemergency,reducetheamountofwaterusedbylimitingtoiletflushing,dishwashing,washingclothes,andshoweringandbesuretoavoidcontactwithanystandingwaterthatmaycontainsewage.

OnAlert

OnAlert

Ifthesewerlinesarenotworking,lineyourtoiletbowlwithaplasticbagandusethetoiletasinstructedforanemergencytoilet.Yourowntoiletwillstillbemorecomfortablebecauseitisprivateandhasaseat.Keepyourlatrineandbagsofstoredlatrineproductsfarawayfromanyroomorsurfacewherefoodisbeingprepared.Neverprepareorstorefoodwherehumanwasteorbloodisorhasbeenpresent.Donotconsumefoodsthathavebeenexposedtoeithersubstance.Whenindoubt,throwitout.Donotplacehumanwasteinthegarbage.Afterthedisastertherewillbeawaytoproperlydisposeofallaccumulatedwastebags.Askforthisinformationifitisnotprovided.Washingyourhandswithsoapandwateristhebestwaytoreducethenumberofgermsonthem,andpreventgermsfromspreading.Ifyourtapwaterisnotsafetouse,washyourhandswithsoapandwaterthathasbeenboiledordisinfected.Ifsoapandwaterarenotavailable,useanalcohol-basedhandsanitizerthatcontainsatleast60percentalcohol.Alcohol-basedhandsanitizerscanquicklyreducethenumberofgermsonhandsinsomesituations,butsanitizersdonoteliminatealltypesofgerms.

HeatingandCooling

DHeatingandCooling

isastersstrikeinanyseason,soyoumustprepareforextremesofbothheatandcold.Thismeanskeepingyourbodyandyourshelteringplacescoolorwarm,evenifthereisnoelectricity,orthegasoroil

heaterisnotworking.Rememberthattheveryyoungandtheelderlyare lessabletoregulate

theirbodytemperature.Somepetsoverheatmorequicklythanwedo(dogs,forexample),andsomechillathighertemperaturesthanwedo(includingreptiles,tropicalbirds,andsmallrodentssuchasgerbilsandhamsters).Allwillneedspecialconsideration.

CoolingDown

TheCentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention(CDC)takeshotweatherveryseriouslyandurgesustoprepareforextremeheat,whichcanbelife-threatening.Forbothcomfortandprotection,wearlooseclothingthatislightweightandlightcoloredtoreflectheatratherthanabsorbit.

It’simportanttokeephydrated,andthebestbeverageforthatiswater.Alcoholandsugarydrinksrobthebodyoffluidsatatimewhenwaterinthebody is crucial. Drink plain water, and drink it continuously during hotweather events, even before you are thirsty. If you’re doing anythingphysical, drink two to four glasses of water an hour. Keep in mind thathighlyiceddrinkscancrampyourstomach.

If you’re sweating a lot, you’ll also need to replace electrolytes.Electrolytes are essential salts, including potassium and sodium, that arenecessaryforthemetabolismofall thecells inyourbody.Youcanreplacethem by drinking a prepared electrolyte replacement solution such asPedialyte (sports drinks tend to have a lot of sugar) or by taking an

electrolytesupplement.Theyareavailableasgel,tablets,powderpacks,andstrips; popular brands include Gatorade. Potassium-rich foods includebananas,raisins,anddriedapricots.Halfateaspoonofiodizedsaltinaglassofwaterwillreplacelostsodium.

In a hot-weather disaster, if your air conditioner doesn’t work or youdon’thaveair-conditioning,visitapubliclibraryormallthatdoeshaveair-conditioning.Someareashavecoolingsheltersforextremeheatevents.Callyour localhealthdepartment to see if thereareanyheat-relief shelters inyourarea.

If you cannot get to a place with air-conditioning but you do haveelectricity,anelectricfanwillnotprovideenoughcoolingtopreventheat-relatedillness.Addsomeicewatertoatraysetinfrontofyourfantostepupthecoolingfactor.Ifyouhaveabasement,staytherebecauseittendstobecooler below ground level. Keep your body damp with a handheld spraybottletofacilitatecoolingevaporation.

If you have in your care—or in your neighborhood—thosewho are atgreaterriskforheatillness,checkuponthemandmakesuretheyarebeingwatchedcarefullyforsymptomsofheatstrokeorheatexhaustion.Themostvulnerableindividualsarebabiesandchildren,adultsoversixty-five,thosewithmentalillness,andthephysicallyill,particularlythosewithhighbloodpressureorheartdisease.

Ifyoucan,stayindoors.Ityoumustgooutside,stayintheshadeorsetup a temporary lean-to (see chapter 4) to create shade. Wear a wide-brimmedhatandabroad-spectrumsunscreen.Restintheshadeasoftenasyoucan,anddrinkplentyofwater.

SummerintheCityCitiesandsuburbsarebetweenoneandtendegreeshotterthanruralareasduringaheatwave,becauseofthepreponderanceofheat-absorbingsurfacesinurbanlandscapes,

suchasasphaltanddark-coloredroofingmaterials.Citiesalsotendtohaveahigherconcentrationofcarsandotherheat-producingmachines.Thecountrysidecangetprettyhot,butit’sacoolerplacewhenit’ssweltering.

SuppliesYou’llNeed:Cooling

------------------------------------------------------------------------

CDNDTQ450XPROACCURATEQUICK-READTHERMOMETER


------------------------------------------------------------------------

Keepingyourfoodsafeduringpoweroutagesrequiresagoodthermometer,andthedigitaltypeproducesareadinginsecondsratherthanminutes.Bacteriamultiplybestinawarm,moistenvironment.Perishablefoodthatisbetweenthetemperaturesof40and140degreesFahrenheitprovidesanidealenvironment,andbacteriawillmultiplyatanexponentialrate.Aftertwohoursinthistemperaturezone,therewillbetoomuchbacteria,andthefoodneedstobethrownout—evenifitlooksandsmellsokay.Thatiswhyitissoimportanttokeepfoodscoldandtofollowtheadage:whenindoubt,throwitout!

------------------------------------------------------------------------

KAFKA’SKOOLTIE

$|REI.com|72-HourKit

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thislightweightscarfisfilledwithpolymercrystals.Yousoakthetieinwater(itneednotbecoldwater)andthecrystalshydrate.Thenwrapthetiearoundyourneckandthecrystalsslowlyreleasetheirwater,facilitatingevaporationonyourskin.Evaporationisthebody’snaturalcoolingmechanism.KoolTieissoftandcomesinelevencolorfulprints.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

INSTANTCOLDCOMPRESSES

$$|First-Aid-Product.com|72-HourKit

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Coldchemicalcompressesaretypicallysoldforuseonsportsinjuries,suchassprainsandstrains.Butaquickshotofcoldonthebackoftheneck,

armpit,groin,orcoreareacanalsohelpreviveapersonoranimalwhoisoverheated.Thiscaseoftwenty6✕9–inchinstantcoldcompressesrequiresnoprechilling—justtwisttomixthechemicalssealedinside,andyougetinstantcold.Theyaredisposableandcan’tbereused.Theystaycoldaboutthirtyminutes.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

COOLONTHEGO


------------------------------------------------------------------------

Whiletherearemoreeconomicalwaystocoolyourself,includingself-mistingwithaspraybottleoficewater,orhangingawetsheetinthewindow,thesethingdon’ttravelwell.Thislittleairconditionerclipstoyourshirtorbeltorthebaby’sstroller,andprovidesacontinuousstreamofcoolair.ItusesfourAAbatteries(notincluded)thatwillrunitforaboutfivehours,butitalsohasaUSBport(cableincluded)soyoucanrunitoffanotherpowersource.Itweighsalittleoveronepound.

PreparingforExtremeHeat

Applylight-coloredpainttoasphalt;uselightpavingmaterialsfornewprojects.

Getafoodthermometerforpoweroutages.

Installair-conditioningandlocatepubliccoolingsheltersinyourarea.

Insulateyourhome.

Planttreestocreatecoolingshadenearthehouse.

Uselightorwhiteroofingmaterials.

OnAlert

OnAlert

Don’ttopoffgastankswhenfuelinginhotweather.Vaporsfromspilledgascanignite.Neverleaveanypersonoranimalunattendedinacarorapool.Reduceyourelectricityconsumptioninextremeheattohelppreventbrownoutsorblackouts.Thisisnotthetimetorunthedishwasherordolaundry.

WarmingUp

Prepareforcoldweatherdisasterswithwarmclothingandbedding.Dressinginloose,insulatinglayerswilltrapyourbodyheatandkeepyoucomfortableincoldweather.Iftheheatisoutinyourhome,drysleepingbagsordryblanketscreateextrainsulatinglayersforwarmth.Eatinghealthfulmealswillalsohelpyourbodystaywarmer.

If you live in an apartment or a rentalwhere you can’t add insulation,placing blankets over windows and at the cracks under doors helps keepheatinside.

Iftheheatisout,gathereveryonetogetherinasingleroomofthehome,preferably a small one, and do everything you can to warm up just thatroom.Thecollectivebodyheatwillalsohelp.Usethefireplacetostaywarm,but never use a charcoal or gas grill indoors and never run a generatorindoorsbecauseyouwillbeexposedtodeadlyfumesandcarbonmonoxide.Andneverleaveacandleunattended.

For injured persons and others at risk from cold out of doors, a spaceblanketwillhelppreventhypothermia.Thespaceblanketiswrappedlikeatubearoundthevictimandduct-tapedclosedwithenoughroomforalayerofinsulatingairtoremainbetweentheinjuredpersonandtheblanket.Thiscreates a cocoon in which the person’s body warmth is trapped, and theresulting humidity in the tube slows the perspiration process, so there islessbodyheatlost.Inemergencysituations,aspaceblanketcanbeusedtoreflect light and show your position to rescuers. It can also be used toimproviseanemergencyshelter(seechapter4).

PreparingforExtremeCold

Addsnowshovelsandsandtoyour72-HourKit.

Cleanchimneysandfireplacesatleastannually.

Insulatewaterpipesandthewaterheater.

Insulateyourhome.

Putwarmclothingandbeddinginyour72-HourKit.

Storeextrafuelforyourfireplaceorwoodstove.

SuppliesYou’llNeed:Heating

------------------------------------------------------------------------

SUNCASTSF185022-INCHBIGSCOOPSNOWSHOVELWITHWEARSTRIP


------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thescoopdesignofthisshovelspreadstheweightoftheshovel’scontentsevenlyacrossbothyourarms,makingshovelingeasieronyourback.Itisfivefeetlongoverall,andhasa22✕28✕5–inchgraphiteblade.Thesteelhandleiscollapsibleforeasierstorage.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

QUANTUMHEATPACK

$–$$$|QuantumHeatPacks.com|72-HourKit

------------------------------------------------------------------------

IfaMylarblanketjustwillnotwarmapersonup,thesituationcangetdangerous.Aheatpackcanprovidequickwarming.Thesepackscomeinavarietyofshapesandsizes,andneednopower.Whenactivatedbypressingabutton,thechemicalsinsidebegintocrystallize,producingheatupto130degreeswithinafewseconds.Dependingonthesizeoftheheatpack,theycanstayhotfromonetothreehours.Theseheatpacksarereusable—yousimmertheminhotwatertoreversethechemicalprocess,andthey’rereadytogo.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

THERMWELLSP57/11CWATERHEATERBLANKET

$$|Amazon.com

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Keepingyourwaterheaterinsulatedisagoodideainallweatherbecauseitlowersyourenergybill.Duringdisasters,athermalcoveringoverthetankcanpreventfreezing,whichwillensurethatyouhaveanemergencywatersupplyinyourhouseifyouaretrappedthereinfreezingweatherandwaterisnotcomingoutofthetap.Youcanpayalotmoreorabitlessforawaterheaterblanket.Oryoucanmakeoneyourselfbycuttinginsulationpiecestofitthetankandpipes,accordingtoPopularMechanics(PopularMechanics.com)—althoughthisisnotrecommendunlessyouknowhowtoworkwithinsulationandcustomfittingit.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

SPACEALL-WEATHERBLANKET

$|REI.com|Go-Bag|72-HourKit

------------------------------------------------------------------------

MoreexpensiveyetmoresubstantialthantheplainMylarblanketsthattypicallystockfirstaidkits,thisspaceblankethasgrommetsandaliningsoitislesslikelytotearandmorelikelytowithstandheavieruseinrough

conditions.Havinggrommetsallowsyoutofeedanyloncordthroughtheblanketwithouttearingit.Youcanthentiethecordtoatree,ifyouplantousetheblanketforshelterorforprotectionfromtheweather(seechapter4).

------------------------------------------------------------------------

EMERGENCYZONEBRANDEMERGENCYSLEEPINGBAG,SURVIVALBAG,REFLECTIVEBLANKET

$|Amazon.com|Go-Bag|72-HourKit|CarKit------------------------------------------------------------------------

GoodforyourGo-Bagincoldweatherorinyourautokit,thisbag-shapedspaceblanketcanhelpretainbodyheatandpreventhypothermiainanemergency.Youcanmakethesamethingwithspaceblanketsandducttape,butthissavestime.Allyouhavetodotouseitisopenitupandslipyourself(orsomeoneelse)inside.Therearelittleventssoyoudon’tgettoohot,butforthemostpart,thebagtrapsyourbodyheatandkeepsyouwarm.

SnuggleUpAdultsoversixty-fivearelessefficientatcreatingbodyheat,andinfantslosebodyheatveryquicklyandcan’tcreateitbyshivering,asadultscan.Youcankeepbabies—andevenadults

—warmincoldtemperaturesbysharingyourbodyheat.

OnAlert

Ifyouhaveelectricity,smallspaceheaterscanbeafirehazard,eventhoughitishardtoimagineafiredangerwhentheworldappearsfrozen.Neverleavethespaceheateronwhennooneisintheroom,don’tsleepnearit(blanketscancatchfire),anddon’trunheatercordsundercarpets.Setupasecureoutdoorboxsoifthere’sapoweroutage,youcanstorefoodintheoutdoorcoldwithoutdangerofanimalsgettingit.

Protection

TProtection

hefirststepandthemostimportantpreparationforanydisasterismental:imaginewhatyourworldwouldbelikeifnothingwasoperatingasusual,thengatherasmuchinformationasyoucanbeforerunningout

tobuyfiveyears’worthofemergencyrations.Sometimesyourimaginationcanrunwild,andgatheringsolidinformationwillgroundyourpreparationsinreality.

Knowingwhattoexpectandhowtobereadyforitwillhelpyoufighttheworst effectof anydisaster: fear.Fear is toxic toyouand toothers. It canslowlivesavingtasksandinfectothersaroundyou.Panickedpeoplegofrombeingpartof thesolution topartof theproblem.Thebetterpreparedyouare,thelessfearwillweakenyourreasoning,reliability,andperformance.

Unfortunately,terrifiedanimalsareincapableofthementaldisciplineofremainingcalminadisaster.Fearfulanimalswillactinunpredictableways,andsometimesendangerthosearoundthem.Toprotectyourselfandyourfamilyfromanimals—includingfamilypets—who“freakout”inadisaster,werecommendfullypreparingyourownanimalsforacomingdisaster(seechapter 12). Beyond that, we recommend a few supplies, listed in thischapter.

Some Americans feel owning a firearm is their best protection. If youownorplantopurchaseafirearm,besuretoadheretoyourstate’slaws.Butifyoudon’tfeelyouneedaguninnormaltimes,adisasterisnotimetogetone.Water and foodwill do farmore good. People donot typically attackwhenpossessedbyexcessivefear,nordotheywanttoharmyouortakeyourthings. Law enforcement officials do not recommend guns for protection.Further, the most commonly reported aberration in normal humanbehaviorduringdisastersisamarkedincreaseinkindness,generosity,andheroism.

HowtoProtectYourHome

Lawenforcementofficialssaythatinadisasterpeoplemaylootstoresandothercommercialbusinesses,butusuallydonotloothomes.Ofcourse,therearealwaysexceptions—typicallyemptyhomes,notoneswheretheoccupantsareshelteringinplace.Ifyoumustevacuate,therearewaystoprotectyourpropertybeforeyougo—bothfromtheeffectsofwhateverdisasteriscomingandfromlooters.

Howtobestprotectyourpropertyfromdisasterdependsonwhattypeofdisasterisonitsway.ForFEMA’sadviceonthestepstotaketoprotectyourhomebeforeanaturaldisaster,gotoReady.gov,selectthespecificdisasteryouareconcernedabout,thenclickonthe“before”tab.

Home protection experts also offer some simple tips on how to bestprotectyourpropertyfrompeoplewithbadintentions.Tostart,moveyourgood stuff—the flat-screen TV, computers, and other temptations—awayfromthewindowswherepeoplecanseethemfromtheoutside.

Secure your doors by having the kind that are made of solid steel orsturdyhardwood,withnoglasspanels.Investinhigh-enddeadboltlocksforall yourdoors.Make sure the lockhas a bolt that extends at least an inchintothedoorframeandthatthestrikeplate(themetalpiecethatmountsonthedoorframeandholdsthebolt)isattachedwithscrewsthatareatleastthreeincheslong.Installinganewdeadbolt isaskilledtask,soit’sbesttoleaveittoalocksmith.

Securingyourwindowsstartsbymakingthemhardtogetto.Plantrosebushes or other thorny plants in front of all your ground-level windows.Would-be looters are less likely to want to prick and scratch their waythroughyourbushesandmorelikelytomoveontosomeotherhomethat’seasiertoapproach.Youcanalsocoveryourwindowsfromtheinsidewithabigprotective sheetofplastic,heldupwithduct tape. It’snot a iron-tightsecuritymeasure,but itdoesmake thewindowsharder tobreak—makingyourhomea lessattractivetarget.Alsoconsidersecuritywindowfilm(seethefollowingprotectionsupplies).

Secure sliding glass doors and sliding windows by cutting dowels andsettingtheminthetrack.Therearemanysmall, inexpensivedevices,fromlockingpinstowedges,thatmakeitverydifficultforanintrudertopryopendouble-hungwindows.Homeimprovementstorestypicallycarryarangeof

theseproducts.Considersecuritybarsonbasement-levelwindowsaswell.Youcanevengetbarsthatreleasequickly(fromtheinside)incaseyouneedanemergencyexit.

If you live in an area that is prone to hurricanes or highwinds, stormshutters can keep your home safe from both human andweather threats.Therearemanystylesofstormshutterstochoosefrom:accordion-style,thekindthatswingopenandclosed,and thekindthat roll intoplace.They’renot cheap, though (the cost depends on the style you choose and themanufacturer), and you will likely have to also pay for professionalinstallation.

MentalPreparation“PreparingtheMindforDisaster:HowtoReplaceNegativeThinkingwithPositiveThoughts”isoneexampleoftheexcellentresourcesavailableontheInternetaboutpreparing

yourselfmentallyforadisaster.Thisarticle,bypsychologywriterJoannaFishman,givesyoualistofnormalhumanresponsestotraumaaswellassomehelpfulmentalexercisestodobeforeandduringadisaster:http://www.howtosurvivestuff.com/survival-plan/preparing-the-mind-for-disaster-how-to-replace-negative-thinking-with-positive-thoughts.SinceitisunlikelyyouwillhaveInternetaccessduringadisaster,printoutacopyandstoreitwithyourotheremergencydocuments.

SuppliesYou’llNeed:Protection

------------------------------------------------------------------------

DOGDAZERIIULTRASONICDOGDETERRENT


------------------------------------------------------------------------

Asdiscussedinthischapter,animalsaretheoneswhocanlosetheirmannersandself-controlduringdisastersbecausetheydon’tknowwhatisgoingon.Thisdoesnotmeantheywillattackorbiteyou,butthepossibilitydoesexist.Ifthereisapossibilityyoumightencounterconfusedandexciteddogswhoseemreadytobiteduringorafteranemergency,thisdeviceemitsahigh-pitchedsoundthatwilldeteradogthatiswithinfifteentotwentyfeetofyou.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

http://www.howtosurvivestuff.com/survival-plan/preparing-the-mind-for-disaster-how-to-replace-negative-thinking-with-positive-thoughts

------------------------------------------------------------------------

SABREREDPOLICE-STRENGTHPEPPERSPRAY


------------------------------------------------------------------------

Peppersprayisaveryseriousweaponforself-defense,andifusedimproperlycandolastingdamagetotheeyes,nose,andthroatofanimals—includinghumans.Ifyoufeelthreatenedduringadisasterscenarioandthethreatisveryclose,thebriefestshotofthisliquidhotpepperspraywillkeeptheanimalfromcomingnearyou.However,makesureyouarenotincloserangeofanyotherhumans,becauseevenatadistancethiscancausesevereburninginthelungsandeyes.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

MILKBONEBISCUITSFORSMALLANDMEDIUMDOGS


------------------------------------------------------------------------

Expertswhoadvisepostalworkershavesuggestedthatkeepingafewdogtreatshandycansometimesbethebestsolutiontoabarkingdogwhoseemsunfriendly.Theymightalsobehandytotreatyourownpetduringanemergency,especiallyiftheanimalneedsbribingtoenterapetcarrier.Ifthedogseemsdangerous,itisadvisabletoattemptbribingwithfoodbeforeresortingtoanear-splittingwhistleorashotofpepperspray.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

SMALLANIMALTRAPSBYTRU-CATCHTRAPS

$$–$$$|TruCatchTraps.com|72-HourKit

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ametaltrapmightbeusefulifyouneedtohumanelytrapyourownorothers’franticanimalsafteradisaster.Byusingfoodtoluretheanimalinto

others’franticanimalsafteradisaster.Byusingfoodtoluretheanimalintothecageliketrap,youcansecurethebeasteasilywiththedrop-downlockingdoors,thencarrytheanimaltoashelterorperhapsjustintothegaragewhereitcanremainrestrainedfromhurtinganyone.Thetrapwillalsoprovideasenseofprotectionfortheanimalitself.Thesetrapscomeinavarietyofsizesandstyles.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

BUDDYBARDOORJAMMER


------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thisworksjustlikethosescenesinthemovieswheresomeonewedgesachairunderthedoorknobtopreventthedoorfrombeingkickedin.Thismoresecurebaralsowedgesbetweenthedoorknobandthedoor.It’srecommendedbysecurityexpertsbecauseithasnoplasticpartsandismadeofpowder-coatedheavy-dutysteel.Itextendsfromthirty-sixtofifty-oneinches,andworksoncarpet,tile,concrete,andwoodfloors.Ofcourse,youmustsetadoorjammerfromtheinside,sothisisforusewhenyouareathome,andforyourleastsecuredoorswhenyouarenotathome.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

3MSAFETYANDSECURITYWINDOWFILM

$$$$–$$$$$|Solutions.3M.com

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Securityfilmisappliedtotheinsidesofwindows.Ifsomethingisthrownorblownintoawindowanditbreaks,thefilmisdesignedtohelpholdtheglassfragmentstogether,reducingpotentialinjuryfromflyingglassandcreatingastrongerbarrierthatmayslowdownlooterstothepointwheretheymaydecidetopickaneasiertarget.3Mmakeswindowfilmsindifferentthicknesses,andwithorwithoutsuncontrol.Don’tconfusethiswithtintedwindowfilmssoldathomeimprovementstoresthataredesignedpurelyfor

windowfilmssoldathomeimprovementstoresthataredesignedpurelyfordecorationorsuncontrolandoffernosecurityfeatures.Securityfilmshouldbeprofessionallyinstalled,andcanbefivetotendollarspersquarefoot,ormore.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

APARADISEBUILTINHELL:THEEXTRAORDINARYCOMMUNITIESTHATARISEINDISASTER


------------------------------------------------------------------------

Toeducateyourselfabouthowlittlethereistofearfromotherhumansduringadisaster,thisbookbyaward-winningwriterRebeccaSolnit(publishedbyVikingAdult)chroniclestheglobalpatternsofhumanbehaviorduringandafterdisasters.Solnitresearchedmajordisastersaroundtheworld,startingwiththe1906SanFranciscoearthquakeandadvancingtopresenttimes,uncoveringevidenceofcommunitiesthataroseduringemergencysituations.Shefoundthatcooperationandkindnessintimesofdisastercrossesallculturalandethnicboundaries.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

RESILIENTBYDESIGN:TRAINYOURMINDTONAVIGATELIFE’SOPPORTUNITIES


------------------------------------------------------------------------

Partofwhatkeepspeoplefromestablishingahealthfulpreparednessethicisfoundintheunconsciousperceptionofwhatpsychologistscallavictimrole.Tosurviveadisaster,peoplemustchangetheirthinkingfromweaknesstostrength,andadapttheirself-perceptiontoincludealackoffear.WrittenbydisasterpreparednessexpertEdCopp,thisself-helpbookguidesreadersawayfromavictimrolethroughperceptualshifts,movingthemtowardtheabilitytoembracechange.

AnimalEncounters

Catswillmostlikelyflee,soyoutypicallydon’tneedtoworryaboutbackingoff.However,nevercorneracat,becauseifthecathasnowaytoflee,itwillfight.Dogswillnotlikelybotheryouunlessyoubehaveinawaytheyperceiveasthreatening.Ifadoggetsverystiff,holdsupitstail,andbeginstosnarlatyouwhilestaringdirectlyatyou,thereisdanger.Showingteethisadangersignaswell.Donotlookthedogintheeyes,orthedogwillthinkyouareissuingachallenge.Turnsoyourbodyissidewaystothedogandbackaway.Butdon’trunanddon’tturnawaycompletelysoyourbackistothedog.Whereveryoumaybeduringorafteradisaster(ortoday,even),don’trunorwalkfastpastadogyoudon’tknow.Actcoolandcalm,avoidturningyourbackonit,andyouwillavoidgettingbitten.Wildanimalsareunlikelytoapproachyouunlesstheyareveryhungryorhavebecometrappedinyourhome.Ifyouareshelteringoutofdoors,keepyourfoodsealedinplasticbagsandstoredatleastonehundredyardsfromwhereyousleep.Keepaverycleancampsite,anddigtrenchesfarawayfromcamp(onehundredyardsormore)forburyinggarbage,especiallyifyou’recampedinoneareaforanextendedlengthoftime.Donotcornerwildanimalsortrytorescuethem.Wildanimals,firstandforemost,wanttogetawayfromyou,andmayendangerthemselvesbydashingoffintofloodwatersorfire.Donotapproachwildanimalsthathavebecometrappedinyourhome.Snakes,opossums,raccoons,andotheranimalsmayseekrefugefromfloodwatersonupperlevelsofbuildings,andhavebeenknowntoremainafterwaterrecedes.Ifyoucomehomeafterafloodandfindanimalsinyourhome,openawindoworprovideanotherescaperouteandtheanimalwilllikelyleaveonitsown.Donotattempttocaptureorhandletheanimal.Iftheanimalwillnotleave,closethedoortotheroomit’sin,openawindow,andcallyourlocal

animalcontrolofficeorwildliferesourceoffice.Donotattempttomoveadeadanimal.Animalcarcassescanpresentserioushealthrisks.Contactyourlocalemergencymanagementofficeorhealthdepartmentforhelpandinstructions.

OnAlert

Knowingyouarepreparedisthebestpreparationyoucanhaveagainstbeingoverwhelmedbyfear.Checkinonneighborstomakesuretheyarenotscared.Companionshiphelpschasefearsawayandlowersstresslevelsduringandafteradisaster.Donotapproachunfamiliardogsoranyotheranimalsduringorafteradisaster.Keepchildrenawayfromallanimalsduringandafteranemergency,unlessyouarecertaintheanimalisbothyoursandisexhibitingnormalbehaviors.Ifyouarebittenbyanyanimal,seekimmediatemedicalattention.

PetSafety

APetSafety

nimalsneedanddeserveasmuchcareandcomfortduringanemergencyastheirowners—andthisincludeslivestockaswellaspets.Wehavetoplanforthesafety,food,anddrinkingwaterofouranimals

moreeventhanforourselvesinanemergency,becausetheyareincapableofanticipatingorplanningforadisaster.Animals,too,needaGo-Bagforevacuation,becauseifyouevacuate,youranimalsmustevacuate.AstheRedCrossputsit,“Ifitisnotsafeforyoutostay,itisnotsafeforthem,either.”

Partofyouremergencypreparednessissympathyandanunderstandingof animal psychology. Animals can respond with panic to a disaster andexhibitbehaviorsthatareoutofcharacter.Animalscansensewhenasevereweather event is about to occur, so be aware that your pets or livestockmight try to isolate themselves in advance of a dangerous storm. Keepanimals near you, and keep newspapers set aside in case a terrified petbecomesunable to controlbodilyeliminations.Otherbehaviors canoccuraswell.Alaid-backdogcansuddenlyactaggressivelyordefensively.Notsounlikepeople, animals can respond toa traumaticevent in surprisingandeven dangerous ways, and must be protected and soothed until they canbehavecalmlyagain.

KeepinmindthatnotallRedCrossandotherevacuationsheltersacceptpets,soyoumustplaninadvancefortheirsafeboardingafteradisaster.Askyourveterinarianforalistofboardingkennelsandfacilities.Askyourlocalanimalshelteriftheyprovideemergencyshelterforpets.Identifyhotelsormotels outside of your immediate area that accept pets. Ask friends andrelativesoutsideyourimmediateareaiftheywouldbewillingtotakeyourpets.

In case of a fire, all pet owners should have decals on their homewindows—known as pet fire safety decals—that alert firefighters thatanimalsareinsideandatrisk.

Ifyouown livestock,afterasevereweathereventorearthquake,makesurethatfencing—whichmayhavebeendamagedbythedisaster—isintactsofearfulanimalsdon’tharmthemselvesorothers.

NeverLeaveaPetintheCarNever,everleaveyourpetaloneinaparkedcar.Evenwiththecarwindowspartiallyopenandevenifyouhaveparkedintheshade,onadaywhenit’sjustinthe70s,

thetemperatureinsideaparkedcarcanreach120degreesFahrenheit.Yourpetcanquicklysufferbraindamageordiefromheatstrokeorsuffocation.

PetSafetyBefore,During,andAfteraDisaster

BEFORE

Observenowandbecomefamiliarwithyourpet’snormalbehavior.Keepyourpetup-to-datewithvaccinationsandparasitecontrol.Attachasecuretagwithup-to-datecontactinformationtoyourpet’scollar.Considermicrochippingallyouranimals(learnmoreatPets.WebMD.com).Haveanappropriate,securecrate,carrier,ortrailerforeveryanimalthatcan’tbewalkedorled,andtraintheanimaltousethecarriercalmly.Storeallcarrierswhereyoucaneasilyandquicklygettothem.Ifpossible,trainallyourpetstorespondtoafewsimplecues,including“come”and“stay.”Includepetsinfamilyevacuationdrills,sotheritualbecomesfamiliartotheanimal.Makealistofemergencyanimalsheltersandhomesoffriendswhereyouranimalmightstay.

DURING

Ifyouareawareinadvanceofdanger,bringyouranimalsindoorswithyou(orintotheirbarnorshelter).Observebehaviorchanges,includingdisorientation,andkeepanimalsundercloseanddirectcontrol.Keepanimalsofdifferentspeciesapartduringadisaster,eveniftheyarebestoffriendsundernormalcircumstances.Keepsmallerpetsawayfromdogsandcats.

AFTER

Immediatelyaddressbehaviorchangestokeepanimalsandpeoplesafe.Allowanimalsoutsideonlyonaleashorlead.Thedangerofsnakesishigherafterawet-weatherorfiredisaster,asisthedangerofdownedpowerlines.Bealerttothedangerofspilledchemicalproductsaffectingthefeetornosesofanimals.Keepanimalsawayfromaccesstoareaswheretheremightbebrokenglass,twistedmetal,oranyotherdanger.Donotletanimalsdrinkfloodwateroranyotherwatersourcesthatmaybecontaminatedasaresultofadisaster.Reintroducefoodinsmallservings,graduallyworkinguptofullportions,ifanimalshavebeenwithoutfoodforaprolongedperiodoftime.

Don’tLeaveSpotorBooBehindWhenemergenciesstrike,somepeoplemaybetemptedtoleavetheiranimalsbehindorletthemgooutontheirown.DuringHurricaneKatrina,some50,000pets

wereleftbehind,byconservativeestimates.Watchthevolunteerrescueeffortchronicledintheeye-openingfilmDarkWaterRising:TheTruthAboutHurricaneKatrinaAnimalRescues.Apartfromguardianshipbeingyourresponsibilitytoyourpet,inastateofemergencypetscanbeasmuchofanecessarytoolaspowerorfoodsupplies.Theycanhelpyoudefendyourhomeagainstintrudersandtakecareofanyrodentorinsectproblemthatmayarise.

BePatientWhendisasterstrikesfamiliarlandmarksandsmellsmightbegone,andyourpetwillprobablybedisoriented.Itisnotuncommonforpetstogetlost,runaway,oractoutduringa

disaster.Makeanefforttogetyourpetsbackintotheirnormalroutinesassoonaspossible.Thestressofthesituationwillverylikelycausebehavioralproblems.Iftheseproblemspersist,orifyourpetseemstobehavinganyhealthproblems,talktoyourveterinarian.

SuppliesYou’llNeed:Pet

------------------------------------------------------------------------

PETSAFETYALERTDECAL

Free|ASPCA.org

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Placeapetalertstickeronthewindownearyourfrontdoorsorescuepersonnelorfirefighterswillknowthatanimalsareinside.Indicateonthislabelwhatkindsofpetsyouhaveandhowmany,plusanemergencyphonenumber.TheASPCAoffersthesedecalsforfree.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

TWO-DOORTOP-LOADKENNEL

$$|DrsFosterSmith.com|Go-Bag|72-HourKit------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thiscarriercomesinsmallandmedium,forbothcatsandsmalltomidsizeddogs.It’smoldedfromrigidplasticandincludeswaterandfoodbowls.Ithasbothasteelwirefrontdoorandatop-loadingdoortoeasilyloadandunloadyourpet.Secure,spring-loadedlatchesenableyoutoopenthekennelone-handed,minimizingtheriskofescape.Thetopandbottomhalvesaresecuredwithboltsandwingnuts,sothetopcaneasilyberemoved.ThecarriermeetsInternationalAirTransportAssociation(IATA)andUnitedStatesDepartmentofAgriculture(USDA)airtravelrequirements.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------------------------------

POQUITOAVIANHOTEL

$$$|DrsFosterSmith.com|Go-Bag|72-HourKit------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thisisafoldingtravelcagethatknocksdownandsetsupwithnonutsorbolts.Thenaturalwoodperchandhandleiseasyonyourhandtocarryandprovidesanout-of-the-cageplayarea.Thecagehashalf-inchbarspacingandismadefromsturdyironcoveredinnontoxiclead-freeandzinc-freepowder-coatedpaint.Itcomeswithtwostainlesssteelcupswithoutsideaccessandonecotton-ropeperch.Thecageis18✕14.25✕15.25inchesinside.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

NATURE’SMIRACLEDISPOSABLELITTERBOX

$|DrsFosterSmith.com|Go-Bag|72-HourKit------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thisdisposablecatlitterboxismadefrom100percentrecycledpaper.Itsbiodegradabledesignpromotesairflowtohelpkeeplitterdrier.It’ssturdyenoughthatitwillnotleak,tear,orshredundernormaluse.Eachboxlastsuptofourweeks.Thefrontedgeisslightlylower,makingiteasierforyourcattogetinandout.Theboxcomesinthree-packsfortheregularsize(13✕16✕4.5inches)ortwo-packsforthejumbosize(15✕20.6✕6inches).

------------------------------------------------------------------------

SOLVITCARSAFETYHARNESSESFORDOGS


------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ifyouaregoingtoevacuatebycar,yourdogmightneedalittlehelpbeingwellbehavedduringthecarride.Thisharnessattachestoyourcar’srearseatbeltandwillkeepyourdoginthebackseatwhileyoudrive.Thisissafer

seatbeltandwillkeepyourdoginthebackseatwhileyoudrive.Thisissaferforthedogandsaferforeveryoneinthecar.Theharnessdoesnotpresentanydangerofstrangulationbecausetherestraintdoesnotgoaroundthedog‘sthroat.Thedevicecomesinarangeofsizestoaccommodateallsizesofdogs.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

SAFETYKATZWALKINGJACKETFORCATS

$$|JoyKatz.net|Go-Bag|72-HourKit

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Yourcatmaynotappreciatebeingconfinedinacarrierforanylengthoftime,butitmaynotbesafetoletyourkittywanderaroundinashelter,outdoors,orsometimeseveninthehouse,dependingonyoursituation.Catswillslipoutofacollarandleash,butawalkingjacketisasafeandcomfortablealternative.Thesewalkingjacketscomeinaverywidearrayofsizesandstyles.Allhavearingatthebacktoattachaleash,whichisnotincluded.(Beawarethatyoumusttrainyourcattoacceptawalkingjacketandleashbeforedisasterstrikes.Forinformationonhowtodothat,visitASPCA.com.)------------------------------------------------------------------------EMERGENCYREADYDELUXEPETFIRSTAIDKIT

$$|ASPCA.com|Go-Bag|72-HourKit

------------------------------------------------------------------------

ThisanimalfirstaidkitissoldbytheASPCAandwasassembledwithspecialattentiontotheinjuryandsicknessneedsofpets.Havingananimalfirstaidkitisessentialinadisasterbecauseyoudon’twanttodrawonthesuppliesyouhavesetasideforhumanuse,andyouwanttohavemedicationsandtopicalproductsdevelopedforanimaluse,alongwithdressingsmadetofitthebodiesoffurredcreatures.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

PETIDBARRELTAGADDRESSLABELTUBE


------------------------------------------------------------------------

RatherthananIDtag,thisisasmall,watertight,aluminumalloytubethatattachestoanyringonapet’scollar.Thetubeunscrews,andyouputapieceofpaperinsidecontainingallyouremergencycontactinformation.Theadvantageisthatifyouareonthemove,orsimplynotathome,youcankeepchangingtheinformationinsidethetubeasneeded.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

VETRI-SCIENCECOMPOSURECANINEBITE-SIZEDCHEWS


------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thesespeciallyformulatedchewsfordogshelpcalmtheminstressfulsituations.Theycontainnodrugs,sotheyaresafetogivewithoutaveterinaryprescription.TheactiveingredientsareC3ColostrumCalmingComplex,whichisisolatedfromproteinsthathaveacalmingeffectonanimals;L-theanine,anaminoacidthatsupportscognitivefunctionsandstressreduction;andthiamine(vitaminB1),whichsupportsthecentralnervoussystemandtherelaxationresponse.Composurefordogsisavailableinchickenliver–flavorbite-sizedchews,andcanbeusedeitherforimmediatesupportordailyforongoingsupport.Theycomeinasixty-chewpouchforlargedogsorathirty-chewpouchforsmalldogs.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

VETRI-SCIENCECOMPOSUREFELINEBITE-SIZEDCHEWS


------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thesespeciallyformulatedchewsforcatshelpcalmtheminstressful

Thesespeciallyformulatedchewsforcatshelpcalmtheminstressfulsituations.Theycontainnodrugs,sotheyaresafetogivewithoutaveterinaryprescription.TheactiveingredientsareC3ColostrumCalmingComplex,whichisisolatedfromproteinsthathaveacalmingeffectonanimals;L-theanine,anaminoacidthatsupportscognitivefunctionsandstressreduction;andthiamine(vitaminB1),whichsupportsthecentralnervoussystemandtherelaxationresponse.Composureforcatscomesinchickenliver–flavorbite-sizedchews,andcanbeusedeitherforimmediatesupportordailyforongoingsupport.Theycomeinathirty-chewpouch.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

ANXIETYWRAPFORDOGS


Tokeepyourdogmorerelaxed,thisdogwrapappliesgentleall-overpressure,likeahug,thatreducesanxiety.Duringadisasterthiscanbecriticalforeveryone’ssafety.AnxietyWrapwasalsodesignedtotargetspecificacupressurepoints.It’smadeofalightweightfabric,andhasafrontheadopeningsoyoucaneasilyslipitoveryourpet’shead.Italsoincludesfrontlegopenings,abellyflap,tworearlegstraps,andanopenrearendforelimination.Itcomesinelevensizes.Therehavebeenscientificstudiesdonethatfindthiswraptobeeffective.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

THUNDERSHIRTFORCATS


Withthesameanxiety-reducingpropertiesastheAnxietyWrapfordogs,thisproductcomesinthreecatsizesandisdesignedtoapplypressurethathelpsreducetheanxietyexperiencedbyfelinesduringastress-inducingevent.Theuseofgentlepressurehasnotbeenstudiedincatsthewayithasindogs,butthereareanecdotalreportsthatithasasimilareffect.Acat

indogs,butthereareanecdotalreportsthatithasasimilareffect.AcatshouldbecomeaccustomedtowearingtheThundershirtbeforeastressfulevent.Thewebsitethatsellstheseshirtsincludesinstructionsonhowtodothat,underthetab“MoreInformation.”

WhattoIncludeinYourPet’sGo-Bag

PAPERWORK(INAWATERPROOFPOUCH)FeedinginstructionsImmunizationrecords(requiredbymanypetshelters)PetnameanddetailedidentificationinformationRecentphotoofafamilymemberwiththepet

HEALTHANDHYGIENEITEMS

3to7days’worthofcanned(pop-top)and/ordryfood(besuretorotatethefoodeverytwomonths)AnimalfirstaidkitAnymedicationswithinstructionsBottledwaterandwaterbowlFeedingbowlHouseholdchlorinebleachforsanitizingKittylitterandlitterboxwithscooperforcatsLiquiddishsoapanddisinfectantNewspaperorothermaterialforanimaleliminationParasitecontrolmedicationsPlasticbagsfordisposingofusedcatlitterordogfeces

TOYSANDBEDDING

Anyfamiliartoys,orasleepingpadorblanketthatlooksandsmells

familiar,willhelpcalmandoccupytheanimal.

TRAVELGEAR

Blanket(forscoopingupafearfulpet)Extracollarorharness,andanextraleashTravelingbag,crate,orsturdycarrierforeachpet

LearnMoreTheASPCA(ASPCA.org),theRedCross(RedCross.org),andFEMA(Ready.gov)allhavesectionsoftheirwebsitesdevotedtodisasterpreparednessforanimals.

OnAlert

Neverleaveapetoutsideduringastormoranydisaster,eithertieduponaleashorloose.Neverleaveyourpetsbehind.Petsarenotallowedatallshelters,sohaveaplaceforthemplannedinadvance,suchasalocalmoteloranimalshelterwhereanimalsareallowed,orthehomeofafriendorrelative.Ifyouhavemorethanonepet,beawarethatyoumayneedtoboardtheminseparatelocations,andpackforeachanimalaccordingly.Makesureyouhaveacurrentphotoofeverypetforidentificationpurposes.PutitwiththeimportantpapersinyourownGo-Bag.

AutoPreparedness

TAutoPreparedness

hinkfast:Howmuchgasisinyourcarrightnow?Apreparedpersonmakessureit’sneverlessthanhalfatank,becauseinadisasteryoumaynotbeabletobuygas—whichmeansyoumightnotbeabletoevacuate

asquicklyasyoushould.Awell-preparedcarisonethatwillhelpyousurvivethekindsofthreats

youmightfacewhileontheroad,fromasplatterofroadinsectstodifficultroadconditionsduringanevacuation,withyourfamilyandpetssharingtheride.Awell-preparedcarisalwayswellmaintained.Keepingyourcarreadymeansroutinelycheckingtheseitems:

AirconditionerfluidAntifreezeBatteryBrakefluidBrakesDefrosterEmergencyflashersExhaustFuelHeaterIgnitionOilRadiatorTirepressureandwearWindshieldwiperfluid

A well-prepared car is also well stocked with emergency items. KeepyourCarKitinyourcar,ratherthaninthegarage,becauseifdisasterstrikeswhen you’re not at home, you’ll still have it with you. In addition to theitems inyourCarKit (whichyou’ll findat theendof thischapter),wearepresuming youwill take your Go-Bag (see chapter 1), and that if you livesomeplacewhereit’sverycold,thatyouhavebootsandwarmssocksaswell.

Everyone’s car has a different capacity for storage, so for drivers ofsports cars, the suggestions for emergency supplies are excessive, and fordrivers of full-sized SUVs and trucks, perhaps not expansive enough.Keeping this inmind,doyourbest to fit themostcritical supplies inyourvehicle, and inanevacuation,make sureyourGo-Bag fits alongwithyourCarKit. Remember, use car common sense; your kitwill not look exactlylikesomeoneelse’s.Webelieveit’susefultothinkcarefullyabouteachitem,because it gets you deeper into the necessary mind-set for disasterpreparedness.

SuppliesYou’llNeed:Car

------------------------------------------------------------------------

COLEMANCABLE08660HEAVY-DUTY4-GAUGEAUTOBATTERYBOOSTERCABLESWITHPOLARGLO-WATTCLAMPS

$$$|Amazon.com|CarKit

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Theseautojumpercablesaretwentyfeetlong,withfour-gaugewire,andhavebeenwellreviewedforbeingheavyandconsistentlyreliable.Theyareengineeredtobeeffectiveinbothhotandcoldweather,accordingtothemanufacturer.Theclampsthatattachtothepositiveandnegativepostsonthebatteryhavetriplepolarityidentification:they’recolor-coded,indentstamped,andmarkedwithglow-in-the-darklabels,makingitlesslikelyforyoutoattachthecablesincorrectly.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

RESCUETAPESELF-FUSINGSILICONE

$|Amazon.com|CarKit

------------------------------------------------------------------------

DefinitelyputthisinyourCarKit.Astepupfromthegardenvarietyelectricaltape,thisstuffmakesaninstantsealthat’swaterproofandairtightandcanresistheatupto500degreesFahrenheit,yetremainflexibleincolddowntominus85degreesFahrenheit.That’sgoingtobeveryhandyforquickrepairofhosesandgaskets.Therollistwelvefeetlongandthetapeisoneinchwideandblack.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

BUCKETBOSS06009JUMPERCABLEBAG

$|Amazon.com|CarKit

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thisbagisnotanessential,butinaroademergency,youdon’twanttobeuntanglingyourjumpercablesorfumblingaroundwithabrokenzipperonano-frillscablesack.Glovesandothernecessitiesfitinsidewiththecables,makingcablestoragemoreorganized.Thebagissmallenoughtostowinsideyoursparewheel.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

SMITTYBILTCC330RECOVERYSTRAP

$$|Amazon.com|CarKit

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thischeerfullyyellowtowingstrapcouldmakethedifferencebetweenyourcarbeinginthecreekorbeingbackontheroad.Itisthreeincheswideandthirtyfeetlong,andit’sratedforthirtythousandpounds,soitwillholdupwhenitisstrappedaroundthebumperorotherpartofacarthatneeds

whenitisstrappedaroundthebumperorotherpartofacarthatneedstowing.Thisitemisgoodformanydisastersituations,includingoneinwhichyoumightcometotheaidofanotherdriver.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

FIRSTALERTAUTOFIREEXTINGUISHER

$|Amazon.com|CarKit

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Evenifanaerosolfireextinguisherfitsbetterinyourcar,don’tbother.Ratingsprofessionalsreporttheyarenotreliable.Thisextinguisherandmountingbracketisspecificallyforextinguishingcarfires—oil,grease,gasoline,andelectricalfires.Itcomeswithafive-yearwarrantyandisULrated.(Seechapter7formoreinformationaboutfireextinguishers.)------------------------------------------------------------------------

AAA4342AAAEMERGENCYWARNINGTRIANGLE

$|Amazon.com|CarKit

------------------------------------------------------------------------

WarningreflectorsareessentialinyourCarKit.Thisbright-orange,seventeen-inchemergencywarningtriangleiseffectiveonbothsides,andindaylightanddarkness.ItisU.S.DepartmentofTransportation(DOT)approved,andiseasytosetup.Itsnonskidbaseisdesignedtowithstandmildwindgusts.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

FLAREALERT9-1-1LEDEMERGENCYBEACONFLARESWITHSTORAGEBAG


------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thistypeofnonburningflarelastslongerthantraditionalflaresinanemergency,andisbrighterandmoreeasilyseen.Customersratethemagneticfeatureasverypositive,becausetheflareattaches(viamagnet)tothecarforgreatervisibility.Althoughitiscalledaflare,itisreallyabattery-poweredbeaconlightwithtwobrightnesssettings,drawingattentionthatletsotherdriversandrescueteamsknowyouarehavingaroadsideemergency.EachbeaconrequiresthreeAAAbatteries(notincluded).

------------------------------------------------------------------------

NO-SPILL14052.5-GALLONPOLYGASCAN


------------------------------------------------------------------------

Userssaythisgascanactuallydoeswhatthenamesuggests:no-spilltransferoffuel.Youcanbuythisproductinlargerandsmallersizestosuityourcarsize.Biggertruckswithbiggergastanksmightneedatleastafive-galloncapacity,whilethissmallercanwillbeenoughtogetasedanbackontheroadtothegasstation.ThisproductmeetsthemanufacturingcriteriasetbytheEPAandbytheCaliforniaAirResourcesBoard(CARB).

------------------------------------------------------------------------

HOPKINSFLOTOOL10705GIANTFUNNEL

$|Amazon.com|CarKit

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Formoresafelypouringfuelandoilinanengine,thisfunnelwillhelppreventspillsandwillfilterparticlesoutoftheengine.Toolargeforuseinatinycarengine,thisfunnelismorelikelytobeusefulintrucks,heavyequipment,orsportutilityvehicles,mostofwhichhavetruckengines.Ownersofsmallercarscanuse(andkeepintheirCarKits)thesmall,disposablepaperfunnelsthatareavailableinautopartsstores.

disposablepaperfunnelsthatareavailableinautopartsstores.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

GARMINNÜVI3490LMT4.3-INCHPORTABLEGPSNAVIGATORWITHLIFETIMEMAPSANDTRAFFIC

$$$$|Amazon.com|CarKit

------------------------------------------------------------------------

MapsaremuchcheaperandGPSsystemsarenumerous,butifyousimplymusthaveasophisticatedtechnologicalnavigationsystemthatisalsoreliable,thisistheonetoget.IthasearnedthehighestratingsbothfromConsumerReportsandfromtheeditorsatPCMagazine.TheGarminhasreportedlydemonstratedthebestperformanceamongGPSdevicesnowonthemarket,andcanhelpyouevacuateintherightdirection.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

MEDIQUE40061FIRSTAIDKIT

$|Amazon.com|CarKit|WorkKit

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Forthosewhodonotwishtobuildtheirownfirstaidkit,thisOSHA-approvedkitisdesignedforon-the-gouseandisfineforyourcar.Itcontainssixty-oneitems—includingthestandardbandages,painrelievers,andointmentsakitrequires—inaplasticcarryingcase,andwillfitintomostvehicleswithouttakinguptoomuchspace.Itisalsorecommendedforuseintheworkplace,soyoucanbuyoneforthecarandoneforthejob.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

EMERGENCYZONEBRANDEMERGENCYPONCHO

$|Amazon.com|CarKit

$|Amazon.com|CarKit

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Inexpensiveandwell-reviewed,thisemergencyrainponchotakesupverylittlespace(itcanfitinabackpocket)andisemergencywearyouwillbegladtohaveinyourCarKit.Ifyouareeverforcedtochangeatireinwetweather,forexample,thislittleplasticgarmentgemwillkeepyoufromgettingsoaked—whichcouldleadtohypothermiainaworst-casescenario.Youmightalsouseitasawind-breaker.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

RESTOP2DISPOSABLEHUMANWASTEBAGS

$$$|Amazon.com|72-HourKit|CarKit------------------------------------------------------------------------

Garbagebagsarecheaper,yes.Buteachofthesebagsisspecificallydesigned(andcontainschemicalsagents)tocontainandneutralizeurine,andcanbeusedanywhere,withorwithoutabucketorfoldingtoilet.Theycomeinapackageoftwenty-fourpackets.Eachpacketcontainsonebag,plustoiletpaperandhandsanitizer.YoucanputafewinyourCarKitandusetheothersinyour72-HourKitathome.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

AAAWARRIORROADKIT

$$$|Amazon.com|CarKit

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ifyoudon’twanttoassembleyourownCarKit,thisoneisrecommendbyPopularMechanicsasthebestall-purposeroad-emergencykitonthemarket.Thisseventy-seven-piecekitincludesthebasicfirstaidsuppliesaswellashandtoolsthatareconsideredessentialforthetypicalkindsoftasksonemustperforminroadsideemergencies.Amongotheressentialitems

bundledintothiskitarejumpercables,makingthisagoodsecondchoicetothinkingitthroughyourself.

WhattoPutinYourCarKit

AdjustablewrenchBatteriesBoots,woolsocksCarfluidsDuctandrescuetapeEmergencyroadreflectorsFireextinguisherFirstaidkitFlashlightsFlat-headfoldingshovelFunnelFusesGlovesJumpercables,8to12feetKnifeMaps/GPSPhillipsscrewdriverRagsRaingearRoadflaresScrewdriverSmallgascanSpaceblanketTirechainsToiletpaperandplasticbags

TowstrapWD-40Woolblanket

OnAlert

Ifyoudon’talreadyhavesnowtires,carrytirechainsinthewinterifthereisanypossibilityyoumaybedrivinginsnow.Practiceputtingontirechainsinyourdriveway;youwillthenbepreparedtoapplythemquicklyinfreezingweatherandunderdangerousroadsideconditions.InyourCarKit,bringalongtheessentialfusesandautofluidsrecommendedinyourcarmanualorbyyourmechanic.Flashlightsandbatteriesareessential(seechapter6);makesureyougetawaterproofflashlight.Aheadlampisusefulforchangingtiresatnightandforanyotherhands-freeworkyoumightbefacedwith.

WorkplacePreparedness

E

WorkplacePreparedness

xpertspredictthatifSanFranciscoweretohaveamajorearthquake,peopleevacuatingintheheartoftheFinancialDistrictcouldbefacedwithunexpectedbarriers,suchasbrokenwindowglasspiledashighas

twelvefeetinsomeareas.It’shardtoimagine;evenonefootofbrokenglasswouldpresentadauntingobstacle.Expertsinurban-disasterpreparednesshavetolookatallthepossibilities.

Weneedtolookatourworkplaces,wherevertheymaybe,andplanforevery disaster we can imagine. (The Red Cross catalogs twenty-twoemergencyscenarios,incaseyourimaginationneedssomeprompting;youcanseethemallatRedCross.org.)Keepapersonalemergencykitandapairofsocksandgoodwalkingshoesatwork.Encourageyouremployertostorewaterandotheremergencysuppliesforthestaff.Findoutyourworkplaceemergency plans for all events, from storms to bomb threats. Familiarizeyourselfwiththeseemergencyplansandgettoknowyourbuildinganditseveryegress.

If a tornado or hurricane threatens, be aware of your exposure towindows. You don’t need to be an architect to noticewhich direction thebuilding faces and in what kinds of weather the windows might bevulnerable.Ifyouliveinearthquakecountry, identifytheheaviestpieceoffurniturenearyourworkstationthatmightserveasaplacetoduckunderforthedurationofatremororquake,duringwhichfallingobjectspresentthegreatestdanger.

Justasprofessionalssuggestyoudoinyourneighborhood,makenoteofthemost vulnerable people at yourworkplace and becomemore aware oftheir particular needs. Anyone diabetic? Elderly or frail? Are there thosewhose physical limitations—including obesity—might mean they requirephysicalassistanceinanevacuation?Thepeoplewhooccupyyourflooror

buildingmaylikelyincludethosewithwhomyounevermixinthecourseofyourworkday,butwithwhomyoumightfindyourselfcloselyalignedinanemergency. When Hollywood films depict an unlikely assortment ofcharacterstogetherinastuckelevator,it’snotanimplausibleplotdevice—emergencies are often as random as the impromptu “team” that forms tosurvivethem.

Peoplewhohavecompletedemergencyskillstrainingprograms,suchasCERT,canmakeallthedifferencewhenadisasterstrikesawayfromhome.Many workplaces have a designated emergency floor director, the go-toperson who is familiar with emergency protocols, who makes sureemergency supplies are rotated and fresh, andwhomakes sure the stairsandnottheelevatorareusedinemergencyevacuations.

TheWorkKitYourWorkKitshouldcontainsomepersonalitemsandsomethingsfortheworkplaceasawhole.Whatyoucankeepatyourworkplacewillbedeterminedinpartbywhereyouwork—a

restaurant,businessoffice,retailstore,orfactory.Asidefromwhateverpersonalitemsyoucanmanagetostoreinyourkitatwork,yourworkplaceasawholeshouldhaveapared-downversionofyour72-HourKit.Forpersonalitems,considernutritionbars,coinsandsingledollars,water,anextrapairofglassesorcontactlenses,medications,andidentification,incasethedisasterkeepsyoufromhomeforawhile.Makesureyouhaveanemergencycellphonecharger,too.Itmaymakeyouthemostpopularpersonatwork.

ThingsYourEmployerNeedstoKnowBringyouremployer’sattentiontothefollowingitemsandpersonneltasksforemergencies,especiallyifyouworkinatallbuildingwithelevators.

CERTtrainingforemployeesDesignatedemergencymanagerforyourfloorDesignatedpeopletocarrytheevacuationchairDesignatedpeopletousethefirehoseinemergenciesDesignatedpersontocheckthewatersupplyanditsshelflifeDesignatedpersontomakesurefirstaidsuppliesaremaintained

Large-capacityfirstaidkitlocatedinaneasilyaccessedarea(andperhapsanautomatedexternaldefibrillator—AED)Occupant-usefirehosesRedCrosstrainingforemployeesRegulardisasterdrillsWall-mountedevacuationchairforthoseinwheelchairswhocannotusethestairsWaterstoredjustforemergencies

WaitItOutTheoddsofbeingstuckinanelevatorareactuallyfairlyhigh,buttheoddsofthatelevatordroppingoffitscableandplungingtothegroundareverylow.Thelasttimeanelevator

droppedwasinthe1940s,whenaU.S.ArmyplanecrashedintotheEmpireStateBuilding;thewomanintheelevatorsurvivedthefall.Neverattempttogetoutofastuckelevator.Waitforhelp.

SuppliesYou’llNeed:Workplace

------------------------------------------------------------------------

ACMETHUNDERERMETALWHISTLE

$|GunDogSupply.com|WorkKit

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Therearecheaperplasticwhistles,butinanemergency,afull-throatedscreamingdevicewillbetterhelprescuerslocateyou.Thisnickel-platedbrasswhistle,developedinEnglandfortheLondonpolice,shoulddothejob.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

3M1860HEALTHCAREPARTICULATERESPIRATORANDSURGICALMASK

$|Amazon.com|WorkKit

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Inadebris-filledatmosphere,youcanbreathesafelywithamask.AnymaskyoubuyshouldhaveaN95rating,asthisonedoes.(Thatmeansitfiltersatleast95percentofairborneparticles,butitisnotresistanttooil.)It’sFDA-cleared,latex-free,hasamoldedconedesign,andisresistanttofluidsandsplashes.Itoffersbacterialfiltrationefficiencygreaterthan99percent.Thismaskfitsawiderangeoffacesizes.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

ADVENTUREMEDICALKITSULTRALIGHTANDWATERTIGHT

$$|Amazon.com|WorkKit

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sincewater(evenfromsprinklersystemsthatgooffwhenthere’snotfire)canplaysuchalargeroleinworkplaceemergencies,wesuggestthiswaterproofkitusedbycampersandhikers.Whatmakesthiskitdistinctamongwell-suppliedstandardfirstaidkitsisthatthevulnerablesuppliesinsideitwillremainuseableafterbeingdroppedinwater.Itcontainswoundcareitems,bandages,alcoholswabs,wraps,andafewbasicmedications.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

MSASAFETYWORKS818068HARDHAT


------------------------------------------------------------------------

Youcanusethisbright-yellowhatnotonlytoidentifyyouastheemergencyfloormanageratyourworkplace(unlesshardhatsarepartofyourworkplaceattire,inwhichcaseyouwillhavetogetadifferentcolor),butalsotoprotectyourheadfromfallingdebrisduringevacuation.Theshellismadeofpolyethylene,andtheadjustablecrownsuspensionstrapsinsidearenylon.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------------------------------

ADVENTUREMEDICALKITSTRAVELDUCTTAPE2-PACK


------------------------------------------------------------------------

MakeroominyourWorkKitforall-purposeducttape.Thistapecomesintwofour-footrolls.Theydon’thaveacardboardcore,soyoucanflattenthemtofitintoasmallerkit.Ducttapecanbeusedtomakeaspace-blanketpouchorbag(seechapter7)ortocreateashelterinplace(seechapter4),orinmanyotheremergencyscenarios.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

ZOLLAED+BUSINESSVP

$$$$$|Amazon.com

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thisautomatedexternaldefibrillator(AED)is,ofcourse,youremployer’spurchase!LifesavingprofessionalsreportthatthesedeviceshavesavedlivesthatmighthavebeenlostifthevictimwouldhavewaitedforEMTsorparamedicstoarriveonthescene.Thedeviceisdesignedsothatalmostanyonecanapplyelectricalchargestothechestofapersonwhoishavingaheartattack,keepingthepersonaliveuntilprofessionalmedicalhelparrives.Itcomeswithametalwallcabinetandtherequiredbatteries.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

20PERSONULTIMATEDELUXESURVIVALKIT(SK20R)$$$$|QuakeKare.com

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Anotherpurchasetobemadebyyouremployer(oryou,ifyouemployothers),this72-HourKitincludesasmartphonechargerandafive-gallonplasticbuckettoiletwithallthenecessaryhygiene-relatedtools,aswellasa

plasticbuckettoiletwithallthenecessaryhygiene-relatedtools,aswellasastandardhand-crankemergencyradio,aflashlight,andastandardfirstaidkitfortwentypeople.Youcanpurchasealargerkitifyourworkplacehasmorepeople,orseveralofthesekits.

OnAlert

Forabetterchanceofsurvival,networkwithothersatyourworkplace:talkaboutdisasterpreparedness,createbuddysystems,andlearnemergencyresponseskillstogether.Inanearthquake,getunderheavyfurnitureorcrouchdownatthebaseofastructural(notacubicle)wall,andlockyourintertwinedfingersatthebackofyourneck.KeepapairofgoodwalkingshoesorbootsandapairofsockswithyourWorkKit.

GuidelinesforFood

PLANA:FOODSTORAGEGUIDELINESIfyouplantouseFoodPlanA,usetheFederalEmergencyManagementAgency(FEMA)–RedCrosschartbelowtogroupemergencyfoodsbystorageduration.(Packagesshouldalwaysbestoredunopened.)

USEWITHIN6MONTHSUSEWITHIN1YEAROR

BEFOREDATEONPACKAGE

INDEFINITESHELFLIFEUNDERPROPERCONDITIONS

DriedfruitCannedfruits,fruitjuices,andvegetables

Bakingpowder

Dry,crispycrackers Cannedmeatandvegetablesoups Bouillonproducts

Freeze-driedpotatoes Cannednuts Driedcorn

Powderedmilk(boxed) Hardcandies Drypasta

Jelly Instantcoffee,tea,andcocoa

Peanutbutter Noncarbonatedsoftdrinks

Ready-to-eatcerealsanduncookedinstantcereals

Powderedmilk(innitrogen-packedcans)

Vitamins Salt

Soybeans

Vegetableoils

Wheat

Whiterice

PLANB:FOODSUPPLIESPlanningforanemergencycanbebothoverwhelmingandtimeconsuming.FoodPlanBprovidesadirectpathtoensuringyouandyourlovedones’nutritionalneedsaretakencareofwhendisasterstrikes.FoodPlanBkitscomeinbulkquantitiesandwillrequiresomestoragespace.Theseeasilytransportableoptionsoffersimple-to-preparemeals,long-termstorage,andakitsuitableforalmosteverybudget.

AdditionalResources

GovernmentResourcesforPreparednessandEmergenciesCENTERSFORDISEASECONTROLANDPREVENTION(CDC)Thisorganizationlooksatdisastersfromapublichealthperspective,andoffersthegeneralpublichelpfuladviceaboutstoppingthespreadofinfectiousdiseaseduringdisasters.CDC.gov|(800)232-4636

DEPARTMENTOFHOMELANDSECURITY

Thiswebsiteisaresourceforallkindsofprotectiveeffortsnationwide.Ifyousearchfordisasterpreparednessinformation,itlinksyoutoReady.gov.DHS.gov|(202)282-8000

DISABILITY.GOV

Thissiteenablesyoutozeroinonyourstateandregionforpreparedness-relatedinformationtailoredspecificallyforthosewithdisabilitiesandthepeoplewhocareforthem.Disability.gov

FEDERALEMERGENCYMANAGEMENTAGENCY(FEMA)FEMAisanenormousadministrativearmthatoverseestheorderlyresponsetodisastersofallkinds.Forcitizenpreparedness,itlinkstoReady.gov.FEMA.gov|(202)646-2500

FLU.GOV

Thissiteisgearedtowardorganizationsratherthanindividuals,andofferseducationmaterialsforcommunitygroupstouseinhelpinginformcitizensaboutwhattodotostopthespreadoftheflu.Flu.gov

HOMELESSNESSRESOURCECENTER

Disasterpreparednessforthehomelessistaughtbymentalhealthprovidersthroughthiswebsite,aprojectoftheU.S.SubstanceAbuseandMentalHealthServicesAdministration.Homeless.SAMHSA.gov

NATIONALWEATHERSERVICE

TheNationalOceanicandAtmosphericAdministration(NOAA)producesthiswebsiteandtheemergencybroadcastofweatheradvisories.Onthewebsiteyoucanfindmapsforalltypesofweatherdata,andsignuptobeavolunteerweatherreporter.Weather.gov

NUCLEARREGULATORYCOMMISSION

Thiswebsitegivesinformationaboutwhattodoincaseofanuclearplantmeltdownoraradioactive“dirty”bombdetonation.Thosewithintenmilesofanuclearplantareconsideredinsidetheemergencyzoneofanucleardisaster.NRC.gov|(800)368-5642

OCCUPATIONALSAFETYANDHEALTHADMINISTRATION(OSHA)OSHAischargedwithkeepingworkersinAmericasafe,andhasalotofinformationabouthowtoprotectagainsteverythingfromcausticchemicalstonaturaldisasters.Theinformationisgearedtotheworkplaceenvironment,butisjustasvalidforyourhome.OSHA.gov|(800)321-6742

READY.GOV

Thisisauser-friendlypublicserviceofFEMAandthenumber-onego-tositeforpreparingfordisasters.Youcandrilldowntofinedetailshere.Ready.gov|(800)462-7585

UNITEDSTATESGEOLOGICALSURVEY(USGS)TheUSGSsitegivesdetailedinformationaboutearth-relatedthreats,within-depthcoverageofearthquakegeology.Youcansignupforlocalearthquakealertstobesenttoyoubye-mail.USGS.gov|(703)648-5953

Non-GovernmentResourcesforPreparednessandEmergencies

AMERICANREDCROSS

Amultifacetedrelieforganization,theAmericanRedCrossrespondstoaboutseventythousanddisastersannually,trainscitizensinfirstaidandCPR,andproduceshealthandsafetyeducationalmaterials,includingawebsite.RedCross.org|(800)733-2767

AMERICANSOCIETYFORTHEPREVENTIONOFCRUELTYTOANIMALS(ASPCA)TheASPCAisanonprofitanimaladvocacygroupwhosewebsitecontainsasectionondisasterpreparednessforanimalowners.Thewebsiteoffersfree“animalinside”alertstickersforyourhome.ASPCA.org|(212)876-7700

AMERICANVETERINARYMEDICALASSOCIATION(AVMA)TheAVMAwebsiteprovidesinformationforthepublic,includinganemergencypreparednesssectionandinformationoncaringforyourpet’shealth.AVMA.org|(800)248-2862

DISASTERSAFETY.ORG

ThisisaserviceoftheInsuranceInstituteforBusinessandHomeSafety.Theirmissionis“toconductobjective,scientificresearchtoidentifyandpromoteeffectiveactionsthatstrengthenhomes,businesses,andcommunitiesagainstnaturaldisastersandothercausesofloss.”DisasterSafety.org|(813)286-3400

EQUIPPEDTOSURVIVE

Thisisanonprofitorganizationdedicatedtoraisingawarenessaboutemergencypreparednessamongthegeneralpopulation.Thegroup’sdisclaimeristhattheyarenot“survivalist”anddonotendorsesurvivalistvalues.Equipped.org

EmergencyServices

INEMERGENCIESTHATTHREATENYOUOROTHERS,ALWAYSCALL911.Emergencyservices 911

Nationwidetravelerinformation 511

Exposuretochemicalsorbiologicalagents 911

CDCbioterrorismpreparednessandresponse (404)639-0385

CDCenvironmentalhealth/toxicsubstancesanddiseaseregistry

(770)488-7100

ChemicalFacilityAnti-TerrorismStandards(CFATS)securitytipline

(877)394-4347

Reportsuspiciousactivityinfederalbuildings (877)437-7411

Prepper Supplies & Survival Guide: The Prepping Supplies, Gear & Food You Must Have To Survive

Documents

Transcript of Prepper Supplies & Survival Guide: The Prepping Supplies, Gear & Food You Must Have To Survive