During or after a disaster of any type, you may expect relief workers and officials to appear right away, but they may not be able to be there for everyone immediately. It may take hours or even days for you to get any help or relief, so packing to prepare for days without access to food and basic necessities is vital.

Preparing for disasters before they hit will help ensure the health and safety of your family and your ability to cope with a multitude of disaster scenarios. Your family needs to be prepared for being confined to your home, and for any immediate evacuation.

Stocking Your Home

Absolute basics you need to stock your home with for disaster emergencies include the following:

• Water

• Food

• A first-aid kit that is only to be used for disaster emergencies, including prescription and nonprescription drugs, necessary tools and supplies, sanitation supplies, clothing and bedding, and important family documents

• Any specialty items for family members such as infants and elderly or disabled persons

• Entertainment items like books, videos, and games

Store items you will need during evacuation in a container such as a large camping backpack, covered and sealed trash bin, duffle bag, or any other containers that are easy to transport and carry. Store a minimum of a gallon a day of water for each person (enough for three days) in unbreakable containers, preferably plastic bottles. Each person needs to have two quarts to drink and two quarts for hygiene, sanitation, and food preparation. In hot climates, people need to store more water to compensate for increased loss of hydration from perspiration.

Each person also needs a supply of foods that are compact and lightweight and don't require cooking, refrigeration (nonperishable), or preparation, particularly using water. Include such things as the following:

• Canned meats, fruits, and vegetables

• Juices in unbreakable containers

• Salt, pepper, sugar, and spices

• High-energy foods and snacks such as dried fruits, crackers, granola bars, trail mix, and peanut butter and jelly

• Vitamins

• Cookies and wrapped hard candy

• Cereals

• Instant coffee and tea bags

• Infant formula and foods

You will need a first-aid kit for your home, and one for each car. Your kit should be a combination of the supplies you have in your standard kit and the kit you would take traveling or camping. In a separate container, store the following essential tools and supplies:

• Emergency preparedness manual

• Fire extinguisher (small canister, ABC type)

• Flashlight

• Paper cups, plates, and plastic utensils or mess kits

• Manual can opener and utility knife

• Battery-operated radio

• Batteries

• Cash, change, or travelers checks

• One or more small, compact, emergency tube tents, that roll up to pocket size and will fit two people

• Plastic sheeting

• Pencils and paper

• Needles and thread

• Pliers

• Duct tape

• Face masks or dense-weave cotton material for nose and mouth protection

• Aluminum foil

• Plastic storage containers

• Flares

• A wrench

• A map of the area

• Toilet paper, paper towels, individually wrapped moist towelettes, feminine supplies and personal-hygiene items

• Plastic garbage bags for personal-sanitation disposal

• A plastic bucket with a tight lid

• Soap

• Liquid detergent

• Disinfectant and household chlorine bleach

• Diapers and bottles

• Any hygiene products required by older adults

• Denture needs

• Contact lenses and supplies or spare eyeglasses

• At least one complete change of clothing and footwear for each family member, including sturdy, comfortable shoes or work boots, rain gear, warm clothing, and thermal underwear

• Blankets or sleeping bags

• Hats, gloves, and sunglasses

Some disasters cause pieces of tiny microscopic debris to fill the air; flooding may create airborne mold causing illness and explosions may release very fine particles that can cause lung damage. Make sure to pack some heavyweight plastic garbage bags, plastic sheeting, duct tape, and scissors so that you can improvise for various situations to protect your nose, mouth, eyes, and cuts in your skin.

Be careful to store wills, Social Security cards, immunization records, insurance policies, stocks and bonds, contracts, deeds, passports, and bank and credit-card account numbers in a portable, waterproof container or airtight plastic bag. Include an inventory of valuable household goods, important telephone numbers, and family records such as birth, marriage, and death certificates.

Change and replace your stored water, food, and battery supply every six months, and evaluate your kit and your family needs at least once a year. Your doctor or pharmacist can advise you about obtaining and storing prescription medications.