EMERGENCY PREPARDENESS
Hardin County Emergency Management highly encourages everyone to be weather ready! Natural disasters can hit at any time, and even
sometimes without a warning, so it is always best to be prepared in case a disaster hits.

A few things you may want to ask yourself when you are getting together a emergency disaster kit and an emergency plan are:
1. How many people do I have in my family that I need to plan for?

2. How many pets will I need to accommodate for?

3. What special or specific needs will I need?
(Examples: prescription medications, accommodations for elderly, or accommodations for infants/children.)

4. Do I have an emergency #'s list accessible in my kit?

5. Have I packed my weather radio, extra batteries, extra phone
charger/battery, and extra flashlight in my kit?

6. Have I pinpointed a "rally point" for my family to go to where we can meet
up again? (Specifically for fires or in due time before severe weather hits.)

7. Have I created an escape plan for a fire that we practice from time to time?

8. Where is a designated "Safe Zone" in my home for my family?



When you are making these emergency supply kits please realize that they are specified to you and your family's needs.
Below is a guideline of what you should highly consider to have in your emergency supply kits:
  1. Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
  2. Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
  3. Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
  4. Flashlight and extra batteries
  5. First aid kit
  6. Whistle to signal for help
  7. Dust mask to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
  8. Moist towelettes, garbage bags, and plastic ties for personal sanitation. (Remember, rescue crews will work
    quickly, however it is highly recommended to be prepared to be sheltered for at least 3 days.)
  9. Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
  10. Manual can opener for food
  11. Local maps
  12. Cell phone with chargers, inverter, or solar charger

Once you have gathered the supplies for a basic emergency kit, you may want to consider adding the
following items:

  1. Prescription medications and glasses
  2. Infant formula and diapers
  3. Pet food and extra water for your pet
  4. Cash or traveler's checks and change
  5. Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a
    waterproof, portable container. You can use the Emergency Financial First Aid Kit - EFFAK (PDF - 977Kb)
    developed by Operation Hope, FEMA and Citizen Corps to help you organize your information.
  6. Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person. Consider additional bedding if you live in a cold-weather climate.
  7. Complete change of clothing including a long sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes. Consider additional
    clothing if you live in a cold-weather climate.
  8. Fire extinguisher (Can be purchased at Wal-Mart or ordered offline.)
  9. Matches in a waterproof container
  10. Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
  11. Mess kits, paper cups, plates, paper towels and plastic utensils
  12. Paper and pencil
  13. Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children

BE SURE TO CHECK DATES PERIODICALLY AND SWITCH OUT FOR NEW ONES AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!