Disaster Supplies Checklist & Holiday Shopping List

Are you having trouble deciding what to get a friend or family member who has “everything” for the holidays? Are you looking for more fun activities that your family can do together over the holidays? Helping your family and friends prepare for emergencies and disasters might be the answer. Emergency preparedness is a serious subject, but there is no reason people shouldn’t have fun as they prepare, particularly as we enter the peak of the holiday season. Why not buy a loved one a disaster supply kit or items to go in a kit or have fun together making your home ‘holiday-safe’ this year.   Make disaster preparedness a part of your celebration.

OK7TEW suggests the following ways to get disaster ready this holiday season:

         72 - hour disaster kits can be purchased on-line and at some department stores and include essential items to help sustain you while waiting for help to arrive following an emergency.

         Disaster supplies (see attached) can be purchased for someone’s existing disaster kit or to help someone build a new kit. In addition, a party host looking to do something different or off-beat can conduct an emergency-themed gift exchange as part of their event, with each attendee bringing one emergency-supply item as a gift for another guest.

         Disaster kits for kids are an important part of being disaster ready. A child’s kit should include trading cards, treats and other personal items that can keep them occupied after an emergency.

Holiday safety hunts are a great way for kids and parents to test their skills at identifying potential hazards such as trees, wreaths, presents or other items placed too close to fireplaces, heaters and other fire sources. Additional information about how to prepare for disasters is available on the DHS Web page.

Source CA OES

Can You Go it Alone for at Least Three Days?

Disaster Supplies Checklist & Holiday Shopping List

The first 72 hours after a major emergency or disaster are critical. Electricity, gas, water, and telephones may not be working. In addition, public safety services such as police and fire departments will be busy handling serious crises. You should be prepared to be self-sufficient ------ able to live without running water, electricity and/or gas, and telephones ------ for at least three days following a major emergency. To do so, keep on hand in a central location the following.