A natural disaster can strike in any part of the country at any time. It can be a storm, flood, fire, or environmental contamination.

If a natural disaster occurs, you may be forced to evacuate or to stay in your home for several days. Services such as heat, electricity, gas, water, sewage treatment, and telephones may be cut off. Government officials and relief workers may not be able to get to you for several days to provide assistance.

Be prepared for either of these scenarios by assembling a disaster kit. Don’t wait for an emergency to prepare your kit. If a natural disaster strikes, you may have only minutes to evacuate. If you have to stay in your home, you will not be able to shop for supplies. Assemble everything you need in advance and check your kit periodically to make sure supplies are not expired. At a minimum, your emergency supply kit should contain the following:

•    At least a three-day supply of food for each person in your family, including any special foods, such as baby food and formula

•    Manual can opener

•    At least a three-day supply of water (one gallon per person per day for drinking and hygiene)

•    Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper to disinfect water

•    Paper plates, plastic cups and utensils, and napkins

•    At least a three-day supply of prescription and over-the-counter medicine

•    Diapers and other baby supplies

•    Pet food, water, leash or carrier

•    At least one complete change of clothing per person

•    Sleeping bags or blankets

•    Moist towelettes and other personal hygiene items

•    Garbage bags

•    Battery-powered or hand-crank radio (preferably a NOAA weather radio)

•    Flashlights and extra batteries

•    First aid kit and instructions

•    Dust mask (in case the air is contaminated)

•    Plastic sheeting and duct tape (in case you need to seal off your home and shelter in place)

•    Waterproof matches

•    Fire extinguisher

•    Whistle to call for help

•    Local map

•    Cell phone and charger

•    Cash

•    Important documents in a waterproof container

•    Any other items a member of your family needs on a regular basis

1st Aid Supplies offers emergency supplies kits that contain many of these essential items so you can be prepared if you need to evacuate or shelter in place. Get a kit today so you can have peace of mind knowing you will be ready if a natural disaster strikes.