The Vermont Homeland Security has provided information for Vermont residents on how to assemble items to provide for their safety.  For additional information, you can visit the Homeland Security web page directly at:

Family Preparedness

72 Hour Family Emergency Kit Sanitation Kit

Other Emergency Needs Standard First Aid Kit

Car Survival Kit

What you can do to help protect yourself

· Increase your awareness - Be aware of your surroundings. Take precautions when traveling, don't accept packages from strangers or leave your luggage unattended. Be aware of conspicuous or unusual behavior. Learn where emergency exits are located. Also, think ahead about how to evacuate a building, subway or congested public area in a hurry.

· Report any suspicious activities to local law enforcement.

· Better educate yourself on all hazards that pose a risk to you.

· Plan for an event - Know what your options are following an event. Will you stay at home, where will you go if evacuated, where will your family meet if not together and how will they communicate? Identify a rally point if your family gets separated. Identify an out-of-state contact for each member of your family to notify of their situation and status after an emergency.

· Be prepared for any hazard - Following any disaster, natural or man made, services will be disrupted and everyday conveniences will be affected.

· Be prepared with food, water, shelter, clothing, first aid and medication… anything your family will need to survive comfortably for at least 72 hours.

· Staying calm in an emergency can save your life. It is very easy to say but hard to do. If you have planned ahead for emergencies, trying to stay calm may be easier thank you think. Follow your emergency plan. First, check for and treat injuries. Then, check for damage, fires, gas leaks and other hazards using a flashlight. Don't light matches or candles. Don't turn on electrical switches - sparks could cause an explosion.

· Stay informed by listening to a battery operated radio, and follow instructions issued by authorities. Do Not call 911 unless you have a life and death emergency.

72 Hour Family Emergency Kit

The 72 Hour Emergency Kit should be individually tailored to meet the basic survival needs of your family for 3 days to a week. Most families prefer to store their emergency supplies in one location that is safe yet easily accessible. Items may be stored in a 32 gallon trash can, suitcase, duffle bag, backpack or individual packs.

Recommended items include:

battery powered radio; first aid kit and manual; sleeping bags and blankets (wool and thermal);waterproof/windproof matches; non-perishable foods (ready to eat goods in unbreakable containers such as canned meats, juices, fruits and vegetables, powdered milk, infant care foods, crackers, peanut butter, freeze dried and dehydrated foods); flashlight; water storage (1 gallon per person per day); water purification tablets; utility knife; emergency candles; extra eyeglasses/contact lenses; essential medications; extra clothing.

Sanitation Kit

plastic bucket with tightly fitted lid; plastic bags and ties; disinfectant; improvised toilet seat; paper cups and plates, plastic utensils; personal toiletries, personal hygienic needs; baby supplies; aluminum foil; paper towels; soap.

Other Emergency Needs

pen and paper; money; address and phone numbers; work gloves; basic tools.

Standard First Aid Kit

first aid manual; aspirin or pain relievers; laxatives; rubbing alcohol; diarrhea medicine; petroleum jelly; soap; salt; gauze; band-aids; triangular bandage; elastic bandage; cotton balls; safety pins; scissors;thermometer; sanitary napkins (used for pressure dressing); matches;disposable diapers (used for dressing/splint/padding); micropore adhesive and paper tape; needles; tweezers; small splints (popsicle sticks); heavy string; syrup of Ipecac; individual medical needs; · baking soda (1/2 tsp soda + 1 tsp salt + 1 qt water for shock)

Car Survival Kit

always maintain at least ½ tank gas; first aid kit and manual; class ABC fire extinguisher; radio and batteries; non-perishable food stored in a coffee can; bottled water; bag of sand, shovel and tools; blanket or sleeping bag; sundry kit containing paper and pencil, map, tissues, premoistened towels; flashlights and batteries; reflectors and flares; waterproof matches and candles; jumper cables

When assembling emergency supplies for the household, include items for pets. Help your neighbors with special needs, such as elderly or disabled persons. Make plans for childcare in case parents can't get home.

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