Emergency Management
HOUSEHOLD PREPAREDNESS KITS
Severe weather and homeland security events could require citizens to be prepared. In many cases emergency services will be overloaded in an emergency situation and you will need to have a few basic items to insure your comfort and in some cases, your survival.
The household preparedness kit should be large enough to contain basic items your family will need to exist for three or four days, yet small enough for you to carry when traveling or during an evacuation. The kit should be your "GO BAG" that can be placed in your vehicle or carried easily should you have to walk to a shelter or emergency care area. Consider using cloth back pack(s) or tote bags for the kit as they are easily stored and transported.
The following list is not intended to meet the needs of every family due to special needs or preferences, however these items should be considered.
- Food and Water Items
- Bottled drinking water (enough for three or four days)
- Prepackaged food items (crackers, peanut butter, breakfast bars, dry fruit, etc.
- Hard candy such as peppermint
- Special food items for babies or toddlers
Medical Items
- Up to five (5) days of maintenance medications - Note: some medications need special handling (cold for example) so plan for that emergency
- Antacid tablets
- Over the counter pain medication
- First aid kit or items (bandages, first aid cream, alcohol, band aids, scissors)
Hygiene Items
- Kitchen size trash bags
- Toilet tissue
- Packaged hand or baby wipes
- Stick deodorant
- Toothpaste and brushes
Communications / Safety
- A battery powered radio
- A flash light(s) (do not use candles or open flame devices)
- Light sticks (signal devices that when broken create light)
- Extra batteries for lights and radios
Other considerations:
- Small survival blankets
- Toys for children (small & quiet toys in case you are sheltered with other families
- Duct Tape - to make temporary repairs or to seal doors and windows
It is strongly recommended that food, batteries and medications are cycled out of the kits every few months so items will be current when needed.
Prepared by: Bedford Fire Department - 1816 Bedford Road - Bedford, TX 76021
817-952-2500