American Red Cross Asks: “So What’s In Your Kit?”

Survey respondents cite caffeine and TiVo®, among essential “extras” for riding out a disaster

Editorial note: To request a sample emergency preparedness kit or high-resolution electronic image, please contact Amanda Mark via the above information. The American Red Cross PSAs featuring country musicians sharing what they would pack in their emergency kits can be downloaded in the pressroom of www.redcross.org.

WASHINGTON, Friday, December 17, 2004 — This time of the year is more likely to conjure thoughts of gift-wrapping than emergency preparedness kit packing. The season of togetherness, however, provides no better time for family, friends, neighbors and colleagues to gather, ask and answer the question: “What’s in your emergency preparedness kit?” The American Red Cross hopes revelers will use the quirky question as an amusing way to not only fill awkward silence and cut insipid small talk, but to bring attention to the lifesaving issue of disaster preparedness.

Disasters don’t break for the holiday season — striking anywhere at anytime, especially with the blustery, snow-filled winter ahead. Emergency responders may not be able to reach impacted individuals immediately so the Red Cross encourages families to build an emergency preparedness kit enabling them to shelter-in-place or evacuate. While the essentials of an emergency preparedness kit include water, a first aid kit and food, items that provide comfort, recreation or relaxation are also recommended to help families and individuals ride out a disaster.

“From hurricanes to snowstorms, families and individuals should remember that they could be preparing for upwards of three days in isolation. Things like games, snacks and gadgets could ease the stress,” said Scott Conner, Vice President of Preparedness. “It can be an incredibly difficult time – you don’t want to double the tension by forgetting your one-year-old’s favorite toy.”

To raise awareness about the importance of building and personalizing a kit, the Red Cross developed public service announcements featuring some of country music’s hottest stars, including Brad Cotter, Sarah Evans and Blake Shelton, answering the question: “What’s in your emergency preparedness kit?” Inspired by quirky personal “musts” like sunflower seeds, peanut butter crackers and, of course, country music, the Red Cross turned to www.redcross.org visitors with the same question.

According to the informal survey, anything from insulin for the cat to gossip magazines would be added. The possible strain and stress of extended close-quarters with loved ones provided some of the more colorful responses. One inspired responder said that a camera was necessary because “there will be some stories to tell.” Another said that “lots of patience” would be necessary. A mom joked that she would be sure to include “a big brown box to put my kids in for a ‘time-out.’ ”

Dependence and devotion to pop culture favorites were reflected as well. “I’m a Survivor and Lost fanatic so I’m set,” said Angela, a marketer in Minneapolis who believes her favorite shows have more than prepared her for the unknown. “I’d pack my CD player and all of my Celine Dion CDs.” Velvet, a communicator in Washington , D.C. , said her TiVo Ò would definitely go. “Whew, that is the ultimate survival item!" she laughed.  

The www.redcross.org survey said…

“I would NEED ____________ to survive a disaster.”

Antacids Bible Cheetos ™ Chocolate-covered gummy bears – “If there is a disaster, I’d better have my favorite treat.” The Da Vinci Code – “Maybe I’d actually read the whole book.” Dog food Earplugs HGTV

Knitting project LOTS of Hershey KISSES ® w/almonds Maps Monopoly ® Morning facial regimen My best girlfriends Painting kit Picture of family – “In case something happened.” Spare reading glasses

Other essential extras…

More than half of respondents said they would include snacks and drinks in their kit – something beyond the much-needed, but not-so-tasty energy bars.

Tech savvy respondents—or about 25 percent of survey-takers—said they couldn’t be without battery-powered gadgets like cell phones, PDAs or music players.

The bookworms in the group—or 30 percent of respondents—said reading materials like the latest thriller or their favorite magazine were musts.

Hoping to forget their troubles with a round of “Go Fish,” more than 35 percent of survey-takers would include games or cards in their kit.

In addition to a complete list of emergency preparedness kit basics, emergency kits ready to customize are also available for purchase at www.redcross.org. With the goal of preparing more families and individuals for the unexpected, the Red Cross online store will feature free shipping on purchases over $99 until December 31, 2004 .

Governed by volunteers and supported by community donations, the American Red Cross is a nationwide network of nearly 900 field units dedicated to saving lives and helping people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. Led by 1 million volunteers and 36,000 employees, the Red Cross annually mobilizes relief to families affected by more than 70,000 disasters, trains almost 12 million people in lifesaving skills and keeps U.S. military families connected worldwide. The Red Cross is the largest supplier of blood and blood products to more than 3,000 hospitals across the nation and also assists victims of international disasters and conflicts at locations worldwide. Marsha J. Evans is the President and CEO of the American Red Cross.