Pandemic/Illness Preparedness

Summer is a great time to get ready for winter illnesses. Try to get as many of these things as possible now while supplies are plentiful.

Week #1

2 buckets

1 box of contractor type garbage bags (To make your own porta-potty in case you lose utilities)

Kitty litter - 1 bag per/person. This can be used for absorbing all bodily fluids.

Extra garbage bags for soiled/contaminated clothing, towels or regular garbage disposal

Pet food/prescriptions, water - don’t forget them!

Week #2

Oral Re-Hydration formula

Buy it or make your own:
* 1⁄4 teas salt
* 1⁄4 teas Lite salt
* 1⁄4 teas baking soda
* 2 1⁄2 teas sugar
* Combine these ingredients w/ 1 liter of sterile water. Suggest making up several of these and save it in small baggies. Store in your kit. Taste before relying on this recipe - make it palatable for your family.

Thermometer and alcohol to clean it

Prescriptions, pain/fever reducers, vitamins

First Aid kit - make sure hand sanitizer is included

Week #3

Water - drinking water and separate water to mix with bleach and other detergents to clean with.

1 gallon of liquid bleach and disinfectant cleaners

Liquid cleaners (soap, dish soap) - if utilities go out these will be easier than powdered cleaners

2 boxes of N95 masks for each adult in the household - make sure it fits firmly against the face.

As long as hospitals keep these in stock, you should too.

Week #4

Latex gloves

Anti-bacterial gloves (some people are allergic to latex)

Several boxes of borax

Anti-bacterial wipes for cleaning up after a patient

A bell or whistle for the patient to get our attention

List of Health Care Providers in your area, including clinics and hospitals who you can call at home to get advice or directions if needed

Week #5

Toilet paper (suggest 100 rolls per/person) you will use more than normal when people are sick

Paper towels (suggest 20 rolls per/person)

Week #6

Shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, feminine hygiene products,lotion, etc. (The things you don’t want to really run out of. Suggest 3 months supply of each of these.)

Week #7

A 100 ft. roll of clear 4 mil plastic (avail at Lowes or Home Depot)

10 rolls of duct tape

These items can be used to temporarily replace windows in the case of an earthquake, or also seal off a room from the pandemic.)

Week #8

Paper plates, cups, plastic cutlery, will cut down on the possibility of spreading germs and save you time to get back to care-giving.

Cash - should the power fail, ATM machines and credit cards will not work. Have a stash of small denomination bills on hand for emergencies when you are forced to leave your home.

Week #9

Alternative to Electricity Items:

For light - flashlights, glow sticks, lanterns, emergency candles, batteries

For heat - firewood, non-electric heaters (propane or kerosene - follow the manufacturer’s instructions for safety very carefully. We don’t want to burn the house down.)

For cooking - portable propane cook stove, barbeque grill, fuel, and non-electric can opener

For laundry - large tub, rope for a clothesline or a clothesline, and clothespins

For communications - battery/solar/crank radio and/or TV to keep up with the news or health warnings

Week #10

Entertainment. Just think about three months at home with no place to go. Talk about cabin fever! Consider purchasing DVDs that you know your children or spouse would like to have. Keep them put away until they are needed or until the next major gift giving occasion. Then replace the old with new titles. You can also establish a stash of age appropriate books, magazines, puzzles and games. Reading a few classic books as a family would also be a great way to pass the time.

Stock up on craft supplies and even a new hobby to start with the kids. Cooking can be lots of fun together so make sure your three month supply includes ingredients to make some fun snacks and meals. A sense of humor is key to survival, so be sure to choose entertainment that is funny and/or uplifting.

And finally….

Gas up. As soon as you hear the flu has come to your region, fill all your cars with gas. Not only

1. will supplies be hard to come by, but if the power fails, so do the pumps.

2. Cash: Should the power fail ATM machines and credit cards will not work. Have a stash of small denomination bills on hand for emergencies when you are forced to leave your home.

From Wendy Dewitt

Other things I would add:
5 hospital gowns
5 hospital caps
5 pairs of hospital shoe covers
These will help keep the illness contained when a caregiver is coming and leaving the sick area.