Disaster Kit Supply Checklist

Earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, fires, and other types of disasters can strike without warning. When they do you might not have access to food, water, or electricity for days or even weeks. Although each situation is unique, any organization can be better prepared if it plans carefully, puts emergency procedures in place, and practices for potential disasters of all kinds. The following information is a good start for small- to mid-sized businesses.

When it comes to survival, start with the basics — fresh water, food, clean air, and warmth. If you're preparing your office disaster preparedness plan, encourage all employees to also maintain a portable kit customized to meet their personal needs, such as essential medications, extra pairs of eyeglasses or contact lenses, or emergency contact lists and phone numbers.

Recommended emergency supplies include the following:

Water

• Store a total of at least one gallon per person, per day. Replace every six months.

Three-Day Supply of Nonperishable Food

• Prepared foods (canned soups, beef, spaghetti, tuna, ham, chicken)
• Canned fruits and vegetables
• Dried fruits
• Snacks (crackers, cookies, hard candy, nuts)
• Canned and powdered milk
• Cereals
• Beverages (powdered or canned; fruit juices, sodas, instant coffee, and tea)

Disaster Kit

• Battery-powered TV or radio and extra batteries. (Maintaining a link to the outside world can be crucial. It is recommended that you have both a regular commercial radio and an NOAA weather radio, which can alert you to weather emergencies or important announcements from the Department of Homeland Security.)
• Flashlight and extra batteries. (Do not purchase candles or anything that lights with a flame, in case of gas leaks.)
• Fire extinguisher
• Whistle
• Dust masks (available in hardware stores and rated based on how small a particle they filter out)
• Wrench or pliers (to turn off utilities)
• Plastic sheeting and duct tape to seal the room. (Despite what can be uncomfortable and challenging conditions inside, it can at times be better to stay where you are to avoid any uncertainties outside.)
• Clothing and bedding
• Clock (wind-up or battery operated)
• Clean changes of clothes (warm if you live in a cold weather climate)

Medical Supplies

• First aid kit and handbook
• Medic alert tags
• Insect repellent
• Feminine hygiene items
• Extra over-the-counter medicine for colds and allergies
• Aspirin
• Diarrhea medication
• Water purification tablets
• Tweezers
• Needles
• Disinfectant
• Antiseptic lotion
• Sterile rolls; bandages

Search and Rescue Supplies

• Emergency safety goggles
• Crowbar
• Highly visible safety vest
• Escape ladder
• Work gloves
• 50 feet of nylon cord
• Bullhorn

Emergency Toilet

• Medium-sized plastic bucket with tightly fitting lid
• Handy wipes
• Plastic bags for liners
• Bleach
• Toilet paper
• Deodorizer

Building a Makeshift Toilet
Line your bucket with a garbage bag and make a toilet seat by using two boards placed parallel to each other across the bucket. After each use, pour 1 part liquid chlorine bleach to 10 parts water into the garbage bag. This will prevent infection and stop the spread of disease. Cover the bucket tightly when it is not in use. If you have access to the outside world, find a soft piece of earth and bury human waste two to three feet deep to avoid the spread of disease by rodents and insects.

Kitchen Supplies

• Manual can opener
• Bottle opener
• Matches sealed in a plastic bag
• Pocket knife (preferably Swiss Army style)
• Plastic cups; utensils
• Paper plates; napkins

Other Helpful Items

• Paper; pens and pencils
• Playing cards; board games; reading materials

Meet at least once a year with your company head to discuss and update your plan or to determine what equipment and supplies need to be replaced. Occasional drills will assure quick reaction and help avoid injury and panic in an actual emergency. For a useful overview of how to help your business prepare for a possible disaster, be sure to read Protecting Your Business from Disaster and Emergency.