Disaster preparedness

Conventional emergency preparedness wisdom suggests every individual should be prepared to provide for his or her personal needs for at least 72 hours following a disaster situation. 

Common sense, based on recent catastrophic events in Haiti and elsewhere, suggests that a one-week plan would serve you best.

The American Red Cross provides the following advice:

Emergencies can strike at any time. Prepare yourself for the worst with our Emergency Preparedness Kit. The kit is packed with useful items to aid an adult for 3 days during the event of an emergency. Kit includes survival type items such as food bars, water, blanket and a first aid kit. All of this is packed in a heavy duty and portable 420 Denier nylon red backpack (11" x 17" x 5").

Contents:

• Battery Powered Flashlight (batteries included)
• Battery Powered Radio (batteries included)
• Emergency Blanket
• Food Bars (4,800 calories total)
• Work Gloves (one pair)
• 12-Hour Light Sticks (3)
• Moist Towelettes (6)
• Breathing Mask (NIOSH-N95)
• Plastic Sheeting (10' x 10')
• Rain Poncho
• Personal First Aid Kit
• Roll of Duct Tape
• Water (2 quarts)
• Water Container (2.5 gallon)
• Whistle
• First Aid and Emergency Preparedness Booklet

An Emergency Preparedness Kit (Adult, 3-day) Part #321279 

costs $49.95

See http://www.redcrossstore.org/Shopper/Product.aspx?UniqueItemId=2

to order, or assemble your own. 


Please comment on your preparedness philosophy.

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