TheTahoeWeekly.com
L I F E I N TA H O E
C R E AT E A D I S A S T E R S U R V I VA L K I T C O U R T E SY A M E R I C A N R E D C R O S S & F E M A
W
e are living in the midst of a nightmare as the Caldor Fire entered the Tahoe Basin on Aug. 30 advancing toward evacuated areas around South Shore, Kirkwood and Hope Valley and possibly beyond. In our Preparing for a Wildfire series, we’ve run articles on making a Go Bag for each member of your family and how to prepare to evacuate with our Wildfire Evacuation Checklist. But you also need to prepare for the possibility of a long-term disaster with an athome survival kit. Once you can return to your home after an evacuation or after a disaster, you’ll need food and supplies on hand as power, water and gas may be out for extended periods of time and there may be limited resources, like food, available. You should also keep a kit prepared for winter disasters. Courtesy FEMA
–Katherine E. Hill
Find more wildfire safety info at TheTahoeWeekly.com
BASIC SUPPLIES • Water. 1 gallon per person, per day, 2-week supply. Include water for pets. • Food. 2-week supply of nonperishable, easy-to-prepare items. • Manual can opener if using canned items. • Portable gas stove with extra canisters • Flashlight • Battery-powered, solar or handcranked radio
• Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies) • Cell phone with chargers, including a solar or battery-operated charger • Family & emergency contact information (paper copy) • Emergency blankets or sleeping bags • Paper maps of the area • Games & activities for children
• Extra batteries
• Pet supplies with 2 weeks of food
• First aid kit
• Two-way radios
• Know CPR. Take a class, if needed. Visit redcross.org.
• Extra set of car & house keys
• Medications & medical supplies. 2-week supply including hearing aid batteries, glasses, syringes, etc.
• Face masks
• Whistle • Matches in a waterproof container
• Baby supplies. Bottles and 2-week supply of formula, baby food, diapers, etc.
• Rain gear
• Multi-purpose tool
• Plastic sheeting
• 5 antiseptic wipe packets
• Duct tape
• 2 packets of aspirin (81 mg each)
• Scissors
• 1 emergency blanket
• Household liquid bleach
• 1 breathing barrier (with one-way valve)
• Fire extinguisher (know how to use it) • Disposable paper plates, cups & utensils (biodegradable preferred) • Moist towelettes, garbage bags & plastic ties for personal sanitation
• 1 instant cold compress • 2 pair of nonlatex gloves (size to fit adults) • 2 hydrocortisone ointment packets
• Non-sparking wrench & pliers for turning off utilities
• 1 3 in. gauze roll (roller) bandage
• Locate all utilities shut offs in advance and know how to turn them off
• 5 3 in. x 3 in. sterile gauze pads
MAKE A FIRST AID KIT (For a family of 4)
• Required medications & medical supplies for family members
• 1 roller bandage (4 inches wide) • 5 sterile gauze pads (4 x 4 inches) • Oral thermometer (non-mercury/nonglass) • 2 triangular bandages • Tweezers • Emergency First Aid guide (paper)
• Towels
• 2 absorbent compress dressings (5 x 9 inches)
• Work gloves
• 25 adhesive bandages (assorted sizes)
• Sanitation & personal hygiene items
• Tools & supplies for securing your home
• 1 adhesive cloth tape (10 yards x 1 inch)
• Extra cash
• Extra clothing, hat & sturdy shoes
• 5 antibiotic ointment packets
Check the kit regularly & replace expired items. Always keep a sturdy pair of shoes and a flashlight near your bed and handy in case of a sudden evacuation at night.
THE TAHOE WEEKLY’S
PREPARING FOR A WILDFIRE SERIES IS SPONSORED BY:
Community Partner Fire Prevention & Open Space Protection 8
