Family Disaster Plan

Building a Plan:

We have discussed a lot of information about the types of disasters you and your family might encounter. We also provide very detailed, disaster specific information in the menu on our safety page. Everything is covered from common seasonal disasters such as thunderstorms to less probable disasters such as radiation or chemical threats. Your plan can be broad enough yet simple enough to protect you in almost every situation.

There are two considerations that your plan needs to provide for.
  1. Shelter in Place
  2. Evacuation
The first is your ability to shelter in place. In other words, survive where you are for as long as you can. That might mean something very short term such as a power outage during a thunderstorm to something longer in duration such as a power outage because of blizzard conditions or because of a tornado where power may be out for days.

The second consideration means you have to evacuate to a safer location. A common occurrence during the approach of a hurricane or wildfire.

Don't assume you will always have the time to gather the things you need. In 2004, there were 3,937 oil and liquid chemical spills in US waterways totaling over 5 million gallons. 1 A total of 6,435 illegal methamphetamine labs were discovered in the US in 2006.2

The point we are trying to make is that circumstances may occur in which you only have a precious few minutes to gather things and get out of Dodge. Being prepared in advance gives you that edge.

The Plan:

Just a note on terminology. We use "Family Disaster Plan" and "Personal Disaster Plan" interchangably on this site. Both distinguish between the plan we offer and a "Business" disaster plan. While there are a myriad of differences between planning at the corporate level and the personal or family level, the basic concepts are the same.

Your plan must cover the following:
  1. Individual Needs
  2. Special Needs (Baby, Child, Disability)
  3. Money and Documentation
  4. Sanitation
  5. Food and Water
  6. Tools
  7. Communication
  8. Vehicles
  9. First Aid
  10. Animals and Pets
We will guide you step by step through each of the ten (10) categories above with complete explanations on each category. And remember, your disaster kit is evergreen. In other words, it is not a pack and forget kit. It is something that you will adjust, modify, and update on an ongoing basis.

A note about the kit you use to store survival items. Any container large enough to accommodate your supplies will work. A large plastic container such as a Rubbermaid storage bin is fine. Just ensure you don't pack so much into it that it becomes too heavy to move. You are better off with two or more containers that you can easily manage. Remember, although you are probably going to evacuate by automobile, there is always the chance you and your family will have to travel some distance by foot. The easier things are to move, the better off you will be. And, if you have to make a choice between food and water, opt for the water every time. You can live longer consuming just water than you can consuming just food. In goes without saying, however, that both are required to keep you healthy.

Having said all that, we will provide you with what we believe is the optimum kit and you can adjust yours if you feel the need to. The important thing is that you put a kit together and include the recommended supplies. Our disaster plan template (in the next section) will guide you through building your disaster plan utilizing the equipment and supplies below. You can, of course, adjust the template to fit the equipment you decide to utilize.

Don't rush out to purchase supplies until you have looked through the template in the next section. It provides many specific, brand name, suggestions to use. It is not meant as a product endorsement nor do we receive any renumeration from the companies for listing them. We're simply trying to provide you with specific suggestions in case you are not familiar with a given product line. Common items are listed generically.

Here we go...

A disaster kit is really comprised of a series of smaller kits large enough to contain the items necessary for survival yet compact enough to move in a hurry. The size of your family and any special considerations will dictate how many smaller kits you need. However, a family of four can effectively operate for a week with (4) four kits. One for each adult. One for both children and one for food stores. Stand alone water containers, as you will see, are in addition to the kits. You can modify your kit based on the size and requirements of your family.

Begin will a solid heavy duty cargo bag. We like the military parachute bag because it is large enough (24"x15"x13") to carry the required supplies with some room to spare. They have a zippered closure on top and storm flap with snaps to help keep water out. They are typically made of 22 oz. canvas and can be purchased new at most surplus stores for around $15.00. Our hypothetical family of four will need four bags.

1.Individual Needs:

Each adult will need to pack the following items:
  • Prescription medications and glasses
      Talk with your physician about your plans so you can place one month's supply in your bag. Then you can rotate your medications each time you refill them. Place the new prescription in your kit and use the old prescription.
  • At least one complete change of clothing including a long sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy boots. At least two pairs of underwear and two pairs of socks. You can adjust your clothing requirements based on the season but avoid cotton fabrics and jeans. They are terribly uncomfortable when they are wet. Search and rescue folks have a saying, "cotton kills", because you will loose body heat faster than you can replace it. Cotton clothing, particularly wet clothing accelerates hypothermia. A better choice is wool or polycotton pants.
  • Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items. We like a shave kit or toiletry bag to keep personal care products in.
  • Rain poncho
  • One hat
  • One pair of sturdy gloves
  • A sleeping bag or blanket
  • Eating utensils. You can't go wrong with an Army mess kit. Include a metal cup.
  • At least two knives. One folding pocket knife and one hunting type knife. In a true survival situation, these may be the most important items in your kit
  • Polarized sun glasses
  • Flashlight w/extra batteries
  • Two 16 oz. wide mouth Nalgene bottles (store other items inside if not used for water).
  • Backpack
The backpack should be large enough to contain all of the items listed above except the boots. Place the items in the backpack and place the backpack and the boots inside the parachute bag. The reason we recommend both the backpack and the parachute bag is pretty simple. You don't know what situation you might find yourself in if you have to evacuate. The bag will hold your personal gear and, as you will see, some other items as well. If you are forced into a situation where you will have to walk for some distance, the backpack will be much handier than trying to carry the parachute bag, which could then be slung empty over your shoulder. If, on the other hand, you find yourself in a shelter or mobile in your vehicle, the parachute bag will make it much easier to keep everything together.

2. Special Needs (Baby, Child, Disability):

Baby:
  • Prescription medications
  • Several changes of clothing (Baby clothes don't take up a lot of room) and two boxes of disposable diapers.
  • Formula for one week
  • Bottles
  • Pacifiers
  • Powdered milk
  • A few play things your infant likes.
Pack these items with one of the parent's bags or backpacks

Child:
  • Prescription medications
  • At least one complete change of clothing including a long sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy but comfortable boots or shoes. At least two pairs of underwear and two pairs of socks. You can adjust your child's clothing requirements based on the season.
  • Rain poncho
  • One hat
  • A sleeping bag or blanket
  • Eating utensils or mess kit and metal cup
  • Polarized sun glasses (depending on age)
  • Small games and books
  • Small backpack
Pack as many of the light weight items as possible in the backpack and place it along with the boots in the parachute bag for the children. This, of course, is going to be very age dependant but giving your children some responsibility provides them with a sense of helping. The backpack should be light enough for them to carry with no difficulty. The remainder should be placed in one of the adult's bags.

Disability:
Disabilities are too broad in scope to be individually considered in such a limited space. Instead, consider the type of disability that is being addressed and the special needs of that disability. Your special needs may prohibit you from placing items in your disaster kit in advance but you might be able prepare your disaster kit to accept your special needs in short notice. For example, gamma globulin may be stored in a freezer or insulin in a refrigerator. You may want to add a small cooler to your disaster kit in order to accomodate those products. On the other hand, ostomy products can be included in your disaster kit. Be prepared to advocate for yourself. Practice how to quickly explain to people the best way to guide or move you and your adaptive equipment, safely and rapidly. You may need to write your instructions in advance if you have difficulty verbally communicating. Here are some great tips from the American Red Cross:

Power Dependant Equipment:
If you use a battery-operated wheelchair, life-support system, or other power-dependent equipment, discuss with your power company the type of backup power you plan to use. Some utility companies offer a "priority reconnection service" for people with disabilities who use power-dependent equipment. Many utility companies keep a list and map of the locations of power-dependent customers in case of an emergency. Contact the customer service department of your local utility company(ies) to learn if this service is available in your community. Some utility companies may require a referral from your physician to qualify you for this service. However, even with this "priority reconnection service, " your power could still be out for a long time following a disaster. Providing alternatives for your power-dependent equipment is still essential.

Additional Information on Equipment and Supplies
If you use a wheelchair or scooter
  • Keep a patch kit and can of seal-in-air product in your portable disaster supplies kit to repair flat tires, unless these are puncture-proof. Also, keep an extra supply of inner tubes.
  • Keep a pair of heavy gloves in your portable disaster supplies kit to use while wheeling or making your way over glass and debris.
  • In areas prone to earthquakes, keep the wheelchair wheels locked and the wheelchair close to your bed at night to be sure it does not move or fall over.
If you use a motorized wheelchair or scooter
  • Have an extra battery. A car battery also can be used with a wheelchair but will not last as long as a wheelchair's deep-cycle battery.
  • Check with your vendor to know if you can charge your battery by either connecting jumper cables to a vehicle battery or connecting batteries to a converter that plugs into a vehicle's cigarette lighter. Caution: Charge only one battery at a time.
  • If available, store a lightweight manual wheelchair for backup.
If you are blind or have a visual disability
  • Store a talking or braille clock or large-print timepiece with extra batteries.
  • Have at least one extra white cane.
  • Mark your disaster supplies items with fluorescent tape, large print, or braille.
  • Mark your gas, water, and electric shutoff valves with fluorescent tape, large print, or braille.
  • Store extra magnifiers.
  • Have an extra pair of glasses if you wear them.
If you are deaf or have a hearing loss
  • Consider getting a small portable battery-operated television set. Emergency broadcasts may give information in American Sign Language (ASL) or open captioning.
  • Keep pads and pencils in your home disaster supplies kit and with your car disaster supplies. Keep them with you at all times for communication.
  • Keep a flashlight, whistle or other noisemaker, and pad and pencil by your bed.
  • Keep a card in the disaster supplies kits (in your home and car), and with you at all times that indicates that you are deaf. Include any other appropriate communication information such as, "I do (or do not) know American Sign Language (ASL)," or, "My service animal may legally remain with me. "
If you have a speech-related or communication disability
  • Consider buying a power converter if you use a laptop computer to communicate. A power converter allows most laptops (12 volts or less) to be operated from the cigarette lighter on the dashboard of a vehicle.
  • Be sure to have pencil and paper with you as a backup communication resource.
  • If you use an augmentative communication device (such as an electronic communicator or artificial larynx) that allows you to communicate by voice, be sure to keep it close to you at night in a safe place.
  • Store copies of a word or letter board and preprinted key phrases you would use in case of an emergency in all of your disaster supplies kits, your wallet, purse, etc.
If you use self-administered medical treatments
  • Keep in mind that traffic delays and/or severe weather hazards can happen when you do not expect them. Be sure to carry the equipment and fluids (temperature controlled) you will need when traveling.

If you have a cognitive disability

  • Keep a copy of any instructions or information you think you will need. Also, keep a copy of this information in the disaster supplies kits you keep both at home and in your car. Prepare this information in a way that is easy for you to understand. You may want to break down the information into a step-by-step outline. This format will help you remember what to do during the confusion of a disaster.
  • Have a pencil and paper ready to keep track of any new instructions or information you may receive.
Disability products should be stored in one of the bags as practical or properly stored in a manner that it can be easily and quickly retrieved.

 3. Money and Documentation:

Keep at least one hundred dollars ($100.00) in small bills on hand for emergency purchases. If power is out, ATM machines will not be working and your banking institution's internet servers may or may not be working depending on the severity of the disaster and where they are located. If you are evacuating, retailers may not accept checks.

As the price of gasoline increases, the amount of money you have on hand should also increase. One hundred dollars is only two tanks of gas for most cars with little change to spare for other essentials you may need to purchase. Although illegal, profiteering or price gouging could occur forcing the cost of commodities to go up. Plan accordingly.

Important documents should be stored in a water tight container such as a zip lock bag and may include:
  • Military/DOD identification cards
  • Visa or Special Permits (depending on country)
  • Birth certificate, naturalization papers
  • Wills, powers of attorney, insurance policies, contracts deeds, stocks and bonds
  • Passports, social security cards, immunization records
  • Bank account numbers and credit card account numbers and companies
  • Inventory of valuable household goods, important telephone numbers
  • Family records (birth, marriage, death certificates)
Money should be split between two adult's backpacks. Place the document holder in one of the adult's bags or backpack.

 4. Sanitation Supplies:
  • Toilet paper; twelve pack depending on size of family
  • moistened towelettes
  • Liquid Soap
  • Plastic garbage bags, ties (for personal sanitation uses)
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Plastic bucket with tight lid
  • disinfectant (Nock Out, Reliance® Bio-Blue)
Use hand sanitizer for cleaning your hands rather than water and soap. Water should be saved for drinking. Sanitation supplies can be stored inside the bucket.

 5. Food and Water:

At least one (1) gallon of water per person per day should be kept on hand. Two quarts for drinking and two quarts for hygiene and sanitation. We prefer potable 5 gallon, stackable water containers but used soda bottles or gallon water containers can be used. Do NOT store water in used milk containers.

You will also want to have smaller containers such as water bottles or Nalgene 16 oz. bottles. Just remember, however you choose to store it, 1 liter of water weighs 1 kilogram, which is 2.2 pounds. That's 8.34 pounds per gallon!!

Most folks don't realize or forget they have a large tank of fresh drinking water in their house. It's called your hot water heater. If you are sheltering in place and you have lost water and electricity, close the main water shutoff to your hot water heater. Shut off the electrical breakers or gas to the water heater and you have a storage tank of water. Typically, water heaters store 40-50 gallons of water. Apartments are around 30 gallons. You can connect a garden hose to the drain valve and open the valve as needed.

Most sites, including Federal sites such as FEMA and Homeland Security advise you to keep chlorine bleach on hand to disinfect water. We do not support that recommendation and here is why. You can NOT use scented, color safe or bleaches with added cleaners. Invariably, someone will unknowingly use that type of bleach as a water disinfectant and wind up poisoning themselves and their family. According to the CDC, "Chlorine in various forms has also been used for chemical disinfection. However, it is not as reliable as iodine for killing disease causing organisms in the wide range of water-quality conditions...".

There is no sense in taking such an unnecessary risk when there are so many viable alternatives available.

Boiling water, when practical, is the preferred way to kill harmful bacteria and parasites. Bringing water to a rolling boil for 1 minute will kill most organisms. Boiling will not remove chemical contaminants. If you suspect or are informed that water is contaminated with chemicals, seek another source of water, such as bottled water.

Water treatment tablets can be purchased from many businesses. Most use chemical disinfection with iodine (e.g., Globaline, Potable-Aqua, or Coghlan's for making water safer to drink. Cryptosporidium (a parasite that can cause diarrhea) and other coccidian parasites (e.g., Cyclospora, Toxoplasma) might not be killed by this method. Cloudy water should be strained through a clean cloth into a container to remove any sediment or floating matter, then the water should be treated with the iodine tablets. A 2% Tincture of Iodine can also be used. It can be purchased at most pharmacies. Add five drops of Iodine to one U.S. quart of clear water and allow to sit for 30 minutes. If the water is cloudy then up to ten drops can be added. It should also be allowed to sit for a longer period of time. Cold weather will also require additional time to treat the water.

Iodine, however, can impose a harsh taste to the water. Adding vitamin C after the water has been purified will improve the taste. You can also add something like Tang to the water. Never add anything to the water until after it has sat for the recommended amount of time. Doing so will nutralize the iodine and prevent the water from being disinfected.

Portable water filters, such as those manufactured by Katadyn and MSR can also be purchased at many businesses. Certain types of portable water filters can also remove some types of infectious agents from drinking water. However, most of the portable filters on the market do not effectively remove viruses, so chemical disinfection of water is needed after filtering with such filters to make the water safer for drinking. Some portable water filters designed to remove parasites (Giardia/Cryptosporidium) have an "absolute" pore size of 0.1 to 1-micrometer and, therefore, may also remove most diarrhea-causing bacteria. To kill viruses that may pass through these filters, add iodine to the filtered water before you drink it. MSR offers an anti viral additive called Sweetwater Purifier Solution.

NOTE: Many commercial water filters such as those manufactured by Katadyn and MSR also offer water treatment products that can be used alone or in conjunction with their filters. They use either chlorine, silver ion or a combination depending on the manufacturer. We support and use a commercial water filter along with the manufacturer's water treatment product. You can expect a portable water filter to effectively clean about 750 liters (approximately 198 gallons) depending on the condition of the water source.

You also need to be aware that many of these commercial water treatment products contain an expiration date so replace the product as needed.

Water containers can be easily be stored at home or in a vehicle if evacuation is mandated. Food should be non-perishable and something your family will enjoy. It should also contain varied food groups. Some suggestions are:

  • Coffe single serve bags
  • Assorted tea bags
  • Tazo Green tea bags
  • Swiss Miss cocoa
  • Assorted vegetable single serve cans
  • Ramon noodles, assorted flavors
  • Instant oatmeal, assorted flavors
  • potted meats, assorted
  • caned fruit, individual size, assorted
  • individual jelly containers (Do not use individual peanut butter packs. They tend to leak oil)
  • individual honey
  • individual salt packets
  • individual pepper packets
  • single boxes of raisins
  • single tootsie roll candies (One of the few chocolates that will not melt in heat)
  • 1 cup containers of trail bread - serves 4 each*
  • 1 cup container of powdered whole eggs
  • 1 cup container of powdered milk
  • 10 oz. (1 pint) container of canola oil
      *Trail bread recipe:

      2 Cups flour
      1 Tablespoons baking soda
      2 Tablespoons sugar
      2 Tablespoons Cinnamon
      Add 1 Cup water to form stiff dough
      heat small amount of oil in pan
      Add dough and fry, browning on both sides

    Food should be stored in a separate bag specifically for the food because it tends to take up quite a bit of room and can be heavy depending on the type and quantity maintained.

    6. Tools:

    The tools you have on hand need to be light weight yet practical in a variety of settings from fire starting to food gathering to general maintenance. Here is a list of items we recommend:

    • First Aid Book (U.S. Army Survival and First Aid books are in our library)
    • Pencil and 5 Blank Sheets Waterproof Paper
    • Swiss Army Knife (Victorinox Trailmaster lock blade)
    • Multi Purpose Tool with Tool Adapter (Leatherman Pocket Survival Tool)
    • Ontario Knife SP24 USN1
    • Gerber diamond knife sharpener
    • 50' of 550 Para cord (7 strand parachute cord: 550 lb. strength)
    • Loud whistle
    • Magnesium / Flintbar Firestarter
    • Small Lighter
    • Mini Mag flashlight AA size
    • 6 - 12 hour chemical light sticks
    • 30 ft. Fishing Line and 6 Fish Hooks (15 lb. test line)
    • 50 ft. Fishing Line (80 lb test)
    • Survival Mirror (plastic or steel - not glass)
    • Compass
    • Sewing kit
    • Safety pins - assorted sizes
    • One survival blanket (space blanket) per person
    • Roll of duct tape
    • Ziplock Freezer Bags - one gallon size
    • 50 feet of MilSpec Snare Wire
    • (2) rolls of duct tape
    • one roll of plastic sheeting
    • One box surgical or dust masks
    • One box latex or plastic gloves
    • Folding shovel
    With the exception of the folding shovel, the other items are all small and light weight yet their use is limited only by your imagination. For example, the inner strands of the para cord make excellent shoe strings; Ziplock freezer bags can be used for water storage; the space blanket can be used as a shelter cover. Learn to think "out of the box" when it comes to survival and make what you have serve your need.

    We do not necessarily advocate one brand of tool over the other but are merely offering you a good credible choice in case you are not familiar with a particular product line.

    NOTE: Most states outlaw snaring game except in true survival situations.

     7. Communication:

    The most important aspect of communication is having a plan that every one knows and understands. Decide on two meeting locations. One to be used in case your home has to be evacuated in an event such as a fire or gas leak. Having everyone assemble at the same location near the house, but at a safe distance, assures that everyone is accounted for.

    The second meeting location is to be used in the event of a large scale evacuation. Perhaps your child's school or daycare, a community shelter or another family member's home.

    The reality of a disaster is that it will, in all probability, occur at the worst possible time. It will happen while the kids are at school and you are at work. One of you may be traveling on business. Your plan should consider the worst case scenario and how you intend to find each other.

    The aftermath of Katrina clearly demonstrated the need for everyone to have a communication plan. It also demonstrated quite clearly that local communications may be impossible while long distance communications may still be operational. Pick a relative that lives 100 miles or more away and have them serve as a communication base. Make certain every family member has their telephone number so they can check in with the relative and report their location. Even small children can carry this information on them. Ready.gov has an excellent communication sheet that you can download by clicking     here.

    Have a plan of who will pick up the children (or which child if in different locations). Recognize that local and state officials or the enormity of the disaster may prevent you from reaching your children. Talk with their school to determine what plans they have in place. Educate your children on what to do in an emergency and ensure they have the necessary information of who to contact so they or an adult can make the phone call.

    At the very least, the following devices should be kept on hand:
    • Cellular telephone (with car and home charger)
    • portable radio with spare batteries and NOAA band. If the radio does not have an NOAA band then
    • NOAA All-Hazard Alert Radio
    • Consider the purchase of two way GMRS/FRS radios. They can offer a range of up to 18 miles and some include the NOAA All-Hazard Alert Radio. One we like, the Midland GXT600 series, offers all of the above.
    8. Vehicles:

    Your vehicle should have no less than half a tank of gas at all times. Train yourself to fill up when your needle reaches a half tank and you will be better prepared if an emergency requires you to evacuate.

    Each of your vehicles should be stocked with the following items:
  • Fire extinguisher (10 B:C rated)
  • Jumper cables
  • Flashlight and spare batteries
  • Multi purpose tool
  • Swiss army knife
  • Cellular phone
  • First Aid Kit containing:
      Small package of assorted bandages
      4-by-4-inch nonadhesive bandages
      gauze and medical tape
      butterfly bandage strips
      elastic bandage
      trauma pad
      instant ice pack
      alcohol wipes
      tweezers
      a small pack of tissues
      antibiotic ointment
      antiseptic wipes
      insect sting relief wipes
      cortisone cream
      acetaminophen and ibuprofen for pain relief
      antihistamines for allergic reactions
      Latex gloves
      Breathing Barrier (w/one-way valve)
      Hand sanitizer
  • Metal cup
  • Two blankets
  • Two pair of Smart Wool Socks
  • Spare diapers if you have a baby

     9. First Aid:

    This one should be pretty easy if you built your first aid kit as we instructed in Section III, Step 4. Simply put the first aid kit in one of the adult bags. If you didn't build your kit, here is a link back to     Section I, Step 3 so you can see what you need.

    10. Animals and Pets:

    The American Verterinary Medical Association has an excellent booklet on disaster planning for pets. You can download it by clicking     here.

    They also have an excellent web site that displays animal disaster resources on a state-by-state basis. You can visit their site by clicking here. Remember, in the event of an evacuation, pets may not be allowed inside human emergency shelters for safety and sanitation reasons. The exception would be for assist animals (also referred to as Service Animals).

    One last item that we intentionally did not include is self defense. We discussed this in some detail in Section 1, Step 4 so you can return to that section if you need to.

    Storing Supplies
    Store your disaster supplies kit in a safe, dry place that is easy for you to get to. Make certain each family member knows where the kit is located. If you are going to put the kit on a shelf, be sure to secure it so that it does not fall and become inaccessible when you need it.

    Replace your supply of food and water every six months. Also, check the expiration dates of stored prescription medications. Replace items in your supplies kit that are old or outdated. Remember to do this by putting new purchases in the kit and using the old kit items you purchased earlier. However, do not borrow items from the kit with the intention of replacing them later. You may forget to do so.

    You now have all the basics for building your plan so let's look at how we put that plan together. Click here.

    1 United States Coast Guard web site. http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-m/nmc/response/stats/Data2004.htm#CHEMG

    2U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration web site. http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/concern/map_lab_seizures.html


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