Disaster Preparedness for People With Disabilities (Printable Page)

Appendix B: Disaster Supplies Calendar

This Disaster Supplies Calendar is intended to help you prepare for disasters before they happen. Using the calendar, you can assemble a disaster supplies kit in small steps over a five-month period. Check off items you gather each week. Remember to change and replace perishable supplies (such as food and water) every six months.

WEEK 1
Grocery Store
____1 gallon water*
____1 jar peanut butter
____1 large can juice*
____1 can meat*
____Hand-operated can opener
____Permanent marking pen
Also, pet food, diapers, and baby food, if needed.

  • To Do
    ____Find out what kinds of disasters can happen in your area.
    ____Date each perishable food item using marking pen.

    WEEK 2
    Hardware Store
    ____Heavy cotton or hemp rope
    ____Duct tape
    ____2 flashlights with batteries
    ____Matches in waterproof container
    Also, a leash or carrier for your pet.

  • To Do
    ____Complete a personal assessment of your needs and your resources for meeting your needs in a changed disaster environment.

    WEEK 3
    Grocery Store
    ____1 gallon water*
    ____1 can meat*
    ____1 can fruit*
    ____Feminine hygiene supplies
    ____Paper and pencil
    ____Map of the area
    ____Aspirin or nonaspirin pain reliever
    ____Laxative
    Also, 1 gallon of water for each pet.

  • To Do
    ____Create a personal support network who can help you identify and obtain the resources you will need to cope effectively with disaster.

    WEEK 4
    Hardware Store
    ____Patch kit and can of seal-in-air product for the tires of mobility aids
    ____Signal flare
    ____Compass
    Also, extra medications or prescriptions marked "emergency use. "

  • To Do
    ____Develop a personal disaster plan.
    ____Give copies of the following lists to your network: emergency information list, medical information list, disability-related supplies and special equipment list, and personal disaster plan.

    WEEK 5
    Grocery Store
    ____1 gallon water*
    ____1 can meat*
    ____1 can fruit*
    ____1 can vegetables*
    ____2 rolls toilet paper
    ____Extra toothbrush
    ____Travel size toothpaste
    Also, special food for special diets, if needed.

  • To Do
    ____Make a floor plan of your home including primary escape routes.
    ____Identify safe places to go to in case of fire, earthquake, tornado, hurricane, and flood.
    ____Practice a fire drill, tornado drill, and earthquake drill with your network.

    WEEK 6
    First Aid Supplies
    ____Sterile adhesive bandages in assorted sizes
    ____Safety pins
    ____Adhesive tape
    ____Latex gloves
    ____Sunscreen
    ____Gauze pads
    ____Sterile roller bandages
    Also, extra hearing aid batteries, if needed.

  • To Do
    ____Check with child's day care center or school to find out about their disaster plans.
    ____Ask your local emergency management office if emergency transportation services are available in case of evacuation.

    WEEK 7
    Grocery Store
    ____1 gallon water*
    ____1 can ready-to-eat soup (not concentrated)*
    ____1 can fruit*
    ____1 can vegetables*
    ____Sewing kit
    ____Disinfectant
    Also, extra plastic baby bottles, formula, and diapers, if needed.

  • To Do
    ____Establish an out-of-town contact to call in case of emergency.
    ____Share this information with your network so they know whom to call.
    ____Make arrangements for your network to check on you immediately after an evacuation order or a disaster.

    WEEK 8
    First Aid Supplies
    ____Scissors
    ____Tweezers
    ____Thermometer
    ____Liquid antibacterial hand soap
    ____Disposable hand wipes
    ____Needles
    ____Petroleum jelly or other lubricant
    ____2 tongue blades
    Also, extra eyeglasses, if needed. Put in first aid kit.

  • To Do
    ____Place a pair of sturdy shoes and a flashlight by your bed so they are handy in an emergency.
    ____If Blind, store a talking clock and one or more extra white canes.
    ____If Blind, mark your disaster supplies in braille or with fluorescent tape.

    WEEK 9
    Grocery Store
    ____1 can ready-to-eat soup*
    ____Liquid dish soap
    ____Household chlorine bleach
    ____1 box heavy-duty garbage bags with ties
    ____Antacid (for stomach upset)
    Also, saline solution and a contact lens case, if needed.

  • To Do
    ____Familiarize your network with any areas on your body where you have reduced sensation.
    ____Choose a signal with your network that indicates you are okay and have left the disaster site.
    ____If you have a communication disability, store a word or letter board in your disaster supplies kit.

    WEEK 10
    Hardware Store
    ____Waterproof portable plastic container (with lid) for important papers
    ____Battery-powered radio
    ____Wrench(es) needed to turn off utilities

  • To Do
    ____Take your network on a field trip to the gas meter and water meter shutoffs. Discuss when it is appropriate to turn off utilities.
    ____Attach a wrench next to the cutoff valve of each utility meter so it will be there when needed.
    ____Make photocopies of important papers and store safely.

    WEEK 11
    Grocery Store
    ____1 large can juice*
    ____Large plastic food bags
    ____1 box quick energy snacks
    ____3 rolls paper towels
    ____Medicine dropper

  • To Do
    ____Store a roll of quarters for emergency phone calls.
    ____Go on a hunt with your family to find a pay phone that is close to your home.
    ____Test your smoke detector(s). Replace the battery in each detector that does not work.

    WEEK 12
    Animal Care Store
    ____Extra harness, leash, ID tags, and food for your service animal and/or pets
    ____Litter/pan
    ____Extra water
    Veterinarian
    ____Obtain current vaccinations and medical records of your animal(s)
    ____Medications

  • To Do
    ____Develop a pet care plan in case of disaster.
    ____Make photocopies of all vaccination records and put them in your disaster supplies kit.
    ____Put extra animal harness, leash, and identification tag(s) in your disaster supplies kit.

    WEEK 13
    Hardware Store
    ____Whistle
    ____Pliers
    ____Screwdriver
    ____Hammer
    ____Perforated metal tape (sometimes called plumber's tape or strap iron)
    ____Crow bar

  • To Do
    ____Take a first aid/CPR class from your local Red Cross.
    ____Arrange to have your water heater strapped to wall studs using perforated metal tape.

    WEEK 14
    Grocery Store
    ____1 can fruit*
    ____1 can meat*
    ____1 can vegetables*
    ____1 package eating utensils
    ____1 package paper
    ____Cups

  • To Do
    ____Make sure your network and neighbors know what help you may need in an emergency and how best to assist.
    ____Practice using alternate methods of evacuation with your network.

    WEEK 15
    Hardware Store
    ____Extra flashlight batteries
    ____Extra battery for portable radio
    ____Assorted nails
    ____Wood screws
    ____Labels for your equipment and supplies

  • To Do
    ____Make arrangements to bolt bookcases and cabinets to wall studs.
    ____Label equipment and attach instruction cards.

    WEEK 16
    Grocery Store
    ____1 can meat*
    ____1 can vegetables*
    ____1 box facial tissue
    ____1 box quick energy snacks
    ____Dried fruit/nuts

  • To Do
    ____Find out if you have a neighborhood safety organization and join it.
    ____Develop a disaster supplies kit for your car or van.

    WEEK 17
    Grocery Store
    ____1 box graham crackers
    ____Assorted plastic containers with lids
    ____Dry cereal
    First Aid Supplies
    ____Antidiarrheal medication
    ____Rubbing alcohol
    ____Antiseptic
    ____Syrup of ipecac and activated charcoal

  • To Do
    ____Arrange for a friend or neighbor to help your children if you are not able to respond or are at work.

    WEEK 18
    Hardware Store
    ____"Child proof" latches or other fasteners for your cupboards
    ____Double-sided tape or hook-and-loop fasteners (such as Velcro® ) to secure moveable objects
    ____Plastic bucket with tight lid
    ____Plastic sheeting

  • To Do
    ____Arrange for someone to install latches on cupboards and secure moveable objects.
    ____Put away a blanket or sleeping bag for each household member.

    WEEK 19
    Grocery Store
    ____1 box quick-energy snacks
    ____Comfort foods (such as cookies, candy bars)
    ____Plastic wrap
    ____Aluminum foil
    Also denture care items, if needed.

  • To Do
    ____Review your insurance coverages with your agent to be sure you are covered for the disasters that may occur in your area. Obtain additional coverage, as needed.
    ____Purchase and have installed an emergency escape ladder for upper story windows, if needed.

    WEEK 20
    Hardware Store
    ____Camping or utility knife
    ____Work gloves
    ____Safety goggles
    ____Disposable dust masks
    ____2 blank videocassettes
    Specialty Store
    ____Get an extra battery for motorized mobility aids

  • To Do
    ____Use a video camera to tape the contents of your home for insurance purposes.
    ____Make a copy of the videotape and send to an out-of-town friend or family member.
    ____Find out about your workplace disaster plan.

    * Purchase one for each member of the household.

    For printed copies or an audiocassette version of this booklet, contact your local Red Cross chapter.
    Original Material for Appendix B: Disaster Supplies Calendar supplied by Chevron Real Estate Management Company © 1994.

    Appendix C: Important Lists
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