If a natural disaster occurred today, are you ready? Is your family?
The Southern Nevada Health District encourages everyone to develop preparedness plans that can be implemented in an emergency. An emergency preparedness kit is a first step to ensure families and businesses can sustain themselves in the event of an illness outbreak or a natural disaster. For more information about emergency preparedness or how to develop an emergency preparedness kit, visit www.SNHD.info.
Family emergency supplies can be contained in a large trashcan, a backpack or a suitcase and can be assembled over several months by adding just one or two items to a grocery list. A kit should include food, water, a first aid kit, tools, copies of important documents, clothing and bedding, medications, and pet supplies. A household preparedness kit should include enough supplies to sustain everyone in the household for up to three weeks.
The health district’s recommendations for a family emergency preparedness kit include:
Prescription and over-the-counter medications
Toiletries, including soap
First-aid kit
Baby formula and diapers
Extra eyeglasses
Pet food/medications/leases/collars/ID tags
Extra batteries for flashlight(s) and radio(s)
Garbage bags
Cash
Non-perishable food, ready-to-eat canned meats, soups, fruits, vegetables, peanut butter, protein bars, utensils, can openers, sterno heating
One gallon of water per person per day and fluids with electrolytes that will last for up to two weeks
Don’t forget to prepare for your pets. Many shelters might not be able to accommodate pets. Before an emergency occurs, check hotels, motels or shelters to see which will be able to accept pets. Prepare a kit for your pets as well and remember to include any medical information or supplies, leashes, food, toys. Check with your vet about the pet carrier that is appropriate for your animal and microchip pets so you can find them if you are separated.
Updated information about the Southern Nevada Health District can be found on Facebook www.facebook.com/SouthernNevadaHealthDistrict, on YouTube www.youtube.com/SNHealthDistrict or Twitter: www.twitter.com/SNHDinfo. The health district is now available in Spanish on Twitter www.twitter.com/TuSNHD. Don’t have a Twitter account? Follow the health district on your phone by texting “follow SNHDinfo” to 40404.