Home About Us Contact Information and Finding Us Privacy Policy and Other Information WorkSafe BC Updates Creating a First Aid Kit Building Your Disaster Kit Training Schools Links Page Workplace Kits Personal Use First Aid Kits Supplies for First Aid Kits Federal Kits Aviation Kits Sports Kits and Supplies Disaster Kits and Supplies Products Login
 
Angel Safety Product Inc.


Building a disaster kit

Building Your Own Disaster Kit




GETTING READY



Write out your family emergency plan and include the following information:
  • Evacutation instructions for home, work and school, phone and cell phone numbers for immediate family, including work and school numbers and contacts for relatives out of province.
  • Make a list of local emergency numbers - keep a copy by your phone.
  • Written plan for where family members will re-connect in case of seperation. It's usually at home, but there should be a second choice in case a disaster happens during the week day and the family is dispersed.
  • Make a copy of each important document for each family member and put them in a waterproof bag. Include pictures of each family member and any pets. A copy of the documents should be sent to key contacts. Important documents include house insurance, medical and life insurance records, bank and credit information, property inventory, marriage certificates, birth certificates, passports, wills, powers of attourney, guardianship papers and pictures.
  • Review your homeowners insurance for earthquake coverage.
  • Take a first aid course.
  • Get your survival kits ready - for home, car, office.
  • Keep a sturdy pair of shoes and flashlight by each bed.
  • Earthquake proof your home.
  • Locate Gas, water and electrical valves and boxes and learn how to disable them. Remember not to turn off gas unless you smell it because you can't turn it back on yourself.
  • If your home is Pre 1970 have it checked by a seismic specialtist.
  • Ensure wood frame houses are bolted to the foundation.
  • Check to see if chimneys need reinforcing.
  • Have a fire extinguisher on each floor of your home.
  • Check or get smoke and CO2 detectors.

Preparations for Disaster kits

FOOD AND WATER PREPARATION


WATER

You will need 4 liters per person per day. There are several ways to make sure you will have enough.
  • Freeze water in 2 liter pop bottles and lay them in the bottom of your chest freezer once frozen.
  • Purchase extra bottled water from the store.
  • Call a water supply company


You can purify water several ways:
  • Tablets - follow instructions on package.
  • Bleach - for 4 1/2 liters of clear water add 4 drops of bleach.
  • - for 4 1/2 liters of cloudy water add 10 drops of bleach.

Allow water to sit for 30 minutes before using.



FOOD

Think about camping for 3 to 5 days and make a list of all the items required to feed your family, as well as manual can opener, bowls, spoons, coffee pot, sicssors, etc. Make sure your propane tank is full if you plan to use the barbeque for cooking or get a small folding stove that uses camp heat and can be used inside the house.
  • EG. Breakfast: orange juice tetra packs, Cheerios, sugar, bowl, spoon, sterilized milk, coffee pot, coffee, mug. If you are not using disposable plates and cutlery, put in a container to wash dishes, and paper towels or tea towels plus dish soap.
  • Lunch: canned items, packaged soup, crackers & cheese packs, peanut butter, bread. You may need to add a can opener, a pot and ladle.


Once you have made out the list of food and accesories you need for your family, plan how you are going to get them. Some folks do it over a period of time, and others just go shopping! As you get the items, write down which meal it is for and the expiration date. That way, if disaster strikes, you will know that the boil in a bag rice, canned peas, and canned chicken are for a fried rice dinner. Use small baggies to hold any spices you will need for your recipes.

After all your food supplies are purchased; get a rubber maid container to hold it all. Check your list for expiration dates, and mark down on your calendar two or three months before that date to recycle that item through your cupboards. Do remember that you will still have food in your cupboard and fridge and freezer if disaster strikes.
  • If you have an infant, make sure you have enought formula and diapers.
  • If you have pets, make sure you have food for them as well.
  • Add a container to hold water for personal hygiene, plus soap, towels, toothpaste and toothbrushes, and other personal items, including extra toilet paper, garbage bags and sanitary supplies. If you are using 5 gallon water containers, a pitcher to pour it from would be handy.

Once you have purchased or made up you disaster kit for home, make sure that you add a few extras to it. All the important documents you got together and put in a waterproof bag should be here, as well as extra cash, coins, set of car and house keys, glasses, map of region, medications, pencil or pen and paper, "comfort" items like a teddy bear, board games, cards, and other things to do. You might want a crowbar, shovel, pliers and duct tape, and perhaps extra rope. "Help" and "Okay" sings are available at www.pep.bc.ca



Consider some items for shelter: tent, tarps and other camping gear.

Preparations for a disaster also includes thinking about clothing. You should have a change of clothes, including shoes, for each family member, for each season. A shopping trip to second hand stores, such as Value Village, can help here.

Disaster kit for vehicle

FOR YOUR CAR


For your car you will need to have a disaster kit or make your own.

In the kit include food stuffs, can-opener, water bottles, map, coins, cash, booster cables, paper towel, road flares. tool, sand or kitty litter, fire extinguisher, traction mats, blanket, jacket, shovel, flashlight, "Help" and "Okay" signs as well as garbage bags.