The Florida Department of Health in Lafayette and Suwannee counties (DOH-Lafayette and DOH-Suwannee) are reminding everyone to be prepared during this hurricane season, especially during the month of September, the peak of the hurricane season.

The month of September is National Preparedness Month and the Department of Health encourages everyone to take another look at their Emergency Supply Kits and give their home another check to be sure you and your family are ready for the worst.  If you don’t already have an Emergency Supply Kit, consider making one.  

Making an emergency supply kit

Note: You are not limited to minimal numbers listed below, you can add to the kit as you see the need. Just remember, the more you add, the more you have to prepare for.

An emergency supply kit for your home or an evacuation should include items from six basic areas: (1) water, (2) food, (3) first aid supplies and medications, (4) clothing and bedding, (5) tools and emergency supplies to include money, and (6) important family documents. It is important to assemble your kit well in advance of an emergency. It is also valuable if you evacuate to a place other than a general public shelter or if you’re unsure of the shelter supplies. If possible, make arrangements to stay with a friend or relative who resides closest to your home and who will not have to evacuate. If a hotel or motel is your final intended destination during an evacuation, make reservations before you leave.

Tips for Making Your Kit

• Keep loose items in airtight plastic bags.
• Gather the kit’s items in easy-to-carry containers or duffle bags. Put kit within reach of your most regularly used exit. 
• Check and update your kit and family needs at least once a year.

Tips for Water & Food Supplies

• A normally active person needs to drink at least two quarts of water daily. Heat and intense activity can double this amount. Children, nursing mothers and those with special needs may require more.
• Food preparation and sanitation require another two quarts (minimum) per person daily.
• Purchased bottled water that has been sealed is best for storage. It meets FDA guidelines for food, is not as vulnerable to temperature changes as unsealed water and has no shelf life. (Some bottles do have expiration dates, but this is mainly for inventory control.) If for any reason you must disinfect water, use unscented bleach in the ratio of 8 drops per gallon, about 1/8 teaspoon, and let the mixture sit 30 minutes before use.
• Choose compact, lightweight foods that do not require refrigeration, cooking or preparation and foods that use little or no water.
• Hand washing with soap and water is extremely important. However, in the event water for hand washing is unavailable, use alcohol-based sanitizer.

DOH recommends at least a three-day supply of food and water in your kit, including:

• One gallon of water per person per day
• Ready-to-eat canned foods, fruits and vegetables
• Staples (salt, sugar, pepper, spices, etc.)
• Powdered milk and canned juices
• High-energy snacks, non-perishables (protein or fruit bars, nuts, crackers, whole grains)
• Food for infants and individuals with special needs
• Comfort/stress foods
• Pedialyte (to restore hydration if needed)
• Mess kits or paper cups, plates and plastic utensils
• Non-electric can opener, cooking tools, utility knife
• Pet food and extra water for your pet

For tools and emergency supplies, DOH recommends:

• Cash or traveler’s checks, coins
• Map of the area for locating shelters, local maps
• Extra set of car keys and house keys
• Battery-operated radio and flashlight, extra batteries
• Cell phone with chargers
• Fire extinguisher
• Pliers or wrench to turn off household water and/or gas
• Compass, signal flare, whistle and tube tent
• Plastic sheeting, storage containers and bucket with tight lid
• garbage bags and plastic ties for sanitation
• Tape (duct, masking)
• Candles and Matches in a waterproof container
• Paper, pencil
• Needles, thread
• Medicine dropper
• Aluminum foil
• Toilet paper, moistened towelettes and towels
• Soap, liquid detergent, disinfectant and unscented household chlorine bleach
• Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
• Infant supplies (diapers, bottles and pacifiers)

For clothing and bedding supplies, DOH recommends:

• At least one complete change of clothing and footwear per person
• Sturdy shoes, work boots, hats and gloves
• A sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person
• Rain gear

DOH recommends having first aid kits for your home and cars, including:

• A three-day or more supply of each person’s vital medications
• Prescription drugs in original packaging (bottles)
• Sterile adhesive bandages in assorted sizes
• 2-inch and 4-inch sterile gauze pads (4–6)
• 2-inch and 3-inch sterile roller bandages (3 rolls)
• Triangular bandages (3)
• Latex gloves (at least 2 pairs)
• Cleansing agent, soap and moistened towelettes
• Antiseptic and antibiotic ointment
• Petroleum jelly or other lubricant
• Assorted sizes of safety pins
• Scissors, tweezers, needle and thermometer
• Tongue depressors (2)
• Non-prescription drugs
• Aspirin or non-aspirin pain reliever
• Anti-diarrhea medication, antacid and laxative
• Sunscreen
• Mosquito repellent, with DEET when appropriate
• Extra prescription glasses, sunglasses and/or contact lenses
• Hearing aid and batteries
• Personal items required to perform basic daily functions

DOH recommends copies of the following important family documents are kept in a waterproof, portable container within kits:

• Insurance policies
• Contracts and deeds
• Stocks and bonds
• Social Security cards and passports
• Immunization records and prescriptions
• Bank account numbers
• Credit card account numbers and company names and telephone numbers
• Inventory of valuable household goods
• Family records (birth, marriage, death certificates) and wills
• Current photographs of family members

In addition to your Emergency Supply Kit, DOH-Lafayette and DOH-Suwannee also encourage you to have a family preparedness plan. 

For further information on preparing for emergencies, please visit:

• www.floridahealth.govfor the Florida Emergency Preparedness Guide or
• www.FloridaDisaster.org.
• Your local Emergency Management/Department of Health Team 
• • Marc Land, EOC Lafayette,  (386) 294-1950
  • Alton Scott, DOH-Lafayette, (386) 294-1321 X-236
  • Kimberly Thomas, EOC Suwannee, (386) 364-3405
  • Ed Baltzley, DOH-Suwannee, (386) 362-2708 Ext-238

About the Florida Department of Health

The department works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

Follow us on Twitter at @HealthyFla and on Facebook. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.