Disaster Supply Calendar
A guide to purchasing disaster survival supplies
over a 5-month (20-week) period.
WEEK 1 (GROCERY STORE)
r 1 gallon water*
r 1 large can juice*
r 1 jar peanut butter
r 1 can meat*
r Hand-operated can opener
r Permanent marking pen
r Baby food, diapers & pet food, if needed.
TO DO:
r Find out what kinds of disasters can happen in your area.
r Date each perishable food item using marking pen.
WEEK 2 (HARDWARE STORE)
r Duct tape
r 2 flashlights with batteries
r Matches in water-proof container
r Heavy cotton or hemp rope
r Also, a leash or carrier for your pet
TO DO:
r Complete a personal assessment of your needsand resources in a changed disaster environment.
r Encourage your neighbors to do the same.
WEEK 3 (GROCERY STORE)
r 1 gallon water*
r Laxative
r 1 can meat*
r Aspirin/non-aspirin pain reliever
r 1 can fruit*
r Feminine hygiene supplies
r Paper & pencils
r Map of the area (Available at the Health Department)
r 1 gallon of water for each pet
TO DO:
r Be a part of a support network in your area to identify and obtain resources needed to cope effectively with disaster.
WEEK 4 (HARDWARE STORE)
r Signal flares
r Compass
r Patch kit & can of seal-in-air product for the tires of mobility aids.
r Also, extra medications/prescriptions marked “emergency use”
TO DO:
r Encourage the network to develop a personal disaster plan.
r Share copies of the following with network: emergency information list, medical information, disability-related supplies and special equipment list and personal disaster plan.
WEEK 5 (GROCERY STORE)
r 1 gallon water*
r 2 rolls of toilet paper
r 1 can meat*
r 1 can fruit*
r Extra toothbrush
r Travel-size toothpaste
r 1 can vegetables*
r Foods for special diets, if needed
TO DO:
r Make a floor plan of your home including primary escapes routes.
r Identify safe places to go in case of fire, tornado, storm and flood.
r Practice a fire drill, tornado drill & flood plans with your network.
WEEK 6 (FIRST AID SUPPLIES)
r Safety pins
r Adhesive tape
r Latex gloves
r Sunscreen
r Gauze pads
r Roller bandages
r Sterile adhesive band-ages in assorted sizes
r Also, extra hearing aid batteries, if needed
TO DO:
r Check with child’s day care center or school to find out about their disaster plans.
r Ask you local emergency management office if emergency transportation services are available in case of evacuation.
WEEK 7 (GROCERY STORE)
r 1 gallon water*
r 1 can soup*
r 1 can fruit*
r 1 can vegetables*
r Sewing kit
r Disinfectant
r Baby food, diapers, & pet food, if needed
TO DO:
r Encourage network to establish out-of-town contacts to call in case of emergency.
r Share this information within your network.
r Make arrangements for your network to check on each other immediately after an evacuation order or a disaster.
WEEK 8 (FIRST AID SUPPLIES)
r Scissors
r Tweezers
r Thermometer
r Needles
r Disposable wipes
r Petroleum jelly
r 2 tongue blades
r Liquid antibacterial hand soap
r Extra eyeglasses, if needed
TO DO:
r Place a pair of shoes and a flashlight by your bed so they are handy in an emergency.
r If visually impaired, store a talking clock and one or more white canes.
r If visually impaired, mark your disaster supplies in Braille or with fluorescent tape.
WEEK 9 (GROCERY STORE)
r 1 can soup*
r Liquid dish soap
r Household bleach
r Antacid
r 1 box heavy-duty garbage bags
r Saline solution and a contact lens case, if needed.
TO DO:
r Agree on a signal with your network that indicates you are okay and have left the disaster site.
r If you have a communication disability, store a word or letter board in your disaster supplies kit.
WEEK 10 (HARDWARE STORE)
r Battery-powered radio
r Wrench(es) needed to turn off utilities
r Waterproof plastic container to store important papers
r Cash for fees, etc.
TO DO:
r With your network, find the gas and water meter shutoffs of each home. Discuss when it is appropriate to turn these off.
r Attach a wrench next to the shutoff valve of each meter so it will be there when needed.
r Make photocopies of important papers and store safely.
WEEK 11 (GROCERY STORE)
r 1 large can juice*
r 1 box quick energy snacks
r Large zip-lock bags
r 3 rolls toilet paper
r Medicine dropper
TO DO:
r Test your smoke detector(s). Replace the battery in each that does not work.
r Replace any smoke detector that does not work.
WEEK 12 (ANIMAL CARE STORE) - Skip if you have no pets
r Litter box/pan
r Pet crate
r Extra water
r Extra harness, leash, ID tags, and food for your pet(s)
VETERINARIAN:
r Obtain current vaccinations and medical records of your animal(s)
r Medications
TO DO:
r Develop a pet care plan in case of disaster.
r Make photocopies of all vaccination records and put them in your disaster supplies kit.
r Put extra harness, leash and ID tags in your kit too.
WEEK 13 (HARDWARE STORE)
r Whistle
r Crow bar
r Pliers
r Screwdriver
r Hammer
r Perforated metal (plumber’s) tape
TO DO:
r Take a first aid/CPR class.
r Strap your water heater to wall studs using perforated metal tape.
WEEK 14 (GROCERY STORE)
r 1 can meat*
r paper cups
r 1 can fruit*
r plastic cups
r 1 can vegetables*
r 1 package eating utensils
TO DO:
r Discuss with your network and neighbors what help you may need in an emergency and how best to assist them.
r Practice using alternative methods of evacuation with your network.
WEEK 15 (HARDWARE STORE)
r Wood screws
r Extra battery for portable radio
r Extra flashlight batteries
r Labels for your equipment & supplies
TO DO:
r Make arrangements to bolt bookcases and cabinets to wall studs.
r Label equipment and attach instruction cards.
WEEK 16 (GROCERY STORE)
r 1 can meat*
r 1 can vegetables*
r 1 box facial tissue
TO DO:
r Develop a disaster supplies kit for your automobile(s).
WEEK 17 (GROCERY STORE)
r Dry cereal
r 1 box graham crackers
r Plastic containers with lids
FIRST AID SUPPLES:
r Anti-diarrheal medicine
r Rubbing alcohol
r Antiseptic
r Syrup of ipecac & activated charcoal
TO DO:
r Arrange for a friend or neighbor to help your children if you are not able to respond or are away at work.
WEEK 18 (HARDWARE STORE)
r Padlocks & keys
r Plastic sheeting
r Plastic bucket with tight lid
r “Child-proof” latches or other fasteners
r Double-sided tape or Velcro® to secure moveable objects.
TO DO:
r Install latches on cupboards and secure moveable objects.
r Put away a blanket or sleeping bag for each household member.
WEEK 19 (GROCERY STORE)
r Plastic wrap
r Aluminum foil
r 1 box quick energy snacks
r Charcoal
r Comfort foods (cookies, candy bars, etc.)
TO DO:
r Review your insurance coverage with your agent to be sure you are covered for the disasters that may occur in your area. Obtain additional coverage, as needed.
r Purchase and have installed an emergency escape ladder for upper story windows, if needed.
WEEK 20 (HARDWARE STORE)
r Camping or utility knife
r Work gloves
r Safety goggles
r Disposable dust masks
r 2 blank video cassettes or DVDs
SPECIALTY STORE:
r Get extra battery for motorized mobility units
TO DO:
r Use a video camera to tape the contents of your home for insurance purposes.
r Make a copy of the video and store it with an out-of-town friend or family member.
r Find out about your workplace disaster plan.
Congratulations! You have just prepared your entire family for a disaster!