The Family Disaster Supplies & Preparedness Calendar is intended to help you take appropriate preparedness actions and create a 3-7 day disaster supply kit before the next emergency happens. Using the calendar, your family can assemble an emergency kit in small steps over a six month period.

Check off the items you collect or the actions you take during the week. Supplies may be stored all together in a large plastic garbage can with wheels. Perishable supplies and water should be rotated every six months.

You should store at least 1 – 2 gallons of water per person for per day. This water is for drinking and sanitation.

The calendar is available to download in English and Spanish. PDF

*One per person in household
**One per person and pet

Week 1

Grocery Store:

• 1 gallon of water*
• 1 can of meat*
• 2 manual can openers
• safety pins
• 2 pair latex gloves

Miscellaneous Items to Gather or Purchase:

• Permanent marking pen

To Do:

• Identify and discuss what kinds of disasters are most likely to occur and how they will affect your family and property.
• Make a family emergency plan. See the Pocket Guide for more information. PDF 1.47 MB

Week 2

Grocery Store:

• 1 gallon of water*
• 1 can of fruit*
• 1 can of meat*
• sunscreen
• anti-diarrhea medicine

Miscellaneous Items to Gather or Purchase:

• Waterproof plastic container for first aid supplies

To Do:

• Plan to have at least two means of communicating with your family (i.e. email, phone, cell phone, two-way radios).
• Prepare a list of important phone number: out-of-state contact, physicians, veterinarian, family, creditors, insurance, etc. and place by phones.

Week 3

Grocery Store:

• 1 gallon of water*
• 1 can of fruit*
• 1 can of meat*
• Baby food (if needed)
• Aspirin and/or acetaminophen

Miscellaneous Items to Gather or Purchase:

• Pen & paper

To Do:

• Designate an out-of-town emergency contact.
• Teach children how and when to call 9-1-1 for emergency help.

Week 4

Hardware Store:

• Portable AM/FM radio
• Crescent wrench
• Plastic safety goggles
• Water proof matches
• Heavy work gloves

To Do:

• Pick two places for your family to meet in an emergency. See the Pocket Guide for more information. PDF 1.47 MB
• Pack a “go-bag” in case you need to evacuate your home.

Week 5

Grocery Store:

• 1 gallon of water*
• 1 can of fruit*
• 1 can of meat*
• Diapers (if needed)
• Compresses

Miscellaneous Items to Gather or Purchase:

• Extra medications or prescriptions for humans and pets

To Do:

• Determine the best escape routes from your home. Find at least two ways out of each room.
• Locate areas in your home where you and your family can shelter-in-place. See the Pocket Guide for more information. PDF 1.47 MB

Week 6

Grocery Store:

• 1 gallon of water*
• 1 can of juice*
• 1 can of vegetables*
• Pet food (if needed)
• First aid tape

To Do:

• Use a video camera or standard camera to capture images of the contents of your home for insurance purposes.
• Place videotape or pictures in a safe deposit box or fireproof safe/cabinet.

Week 7

Grocery Store:

• 1 gallon of water*
• 1 can of fruit*
• 1 can of vegetables*
• Rolls of gauze or bandages
• Saline solution for contacts (if needed)

Miscellaneous Items to Gather or Purchase.

• Battery powered cell phone charger

To Do:

• Scan your favorite family and pet photos and burn to a CD. Store CD in safe deposit box or fireproof safe/cabinet.
• Make photocopies or scan important papers and store in a safe deposit box or fireproof safe/cabinet.

Week 8

Hardware Store:

• Whistle
• 2 flashlights
• Camping or utility knife
• Tarp
• Heavy rope

To Do:

• Update animal vaccination records and put with important papers.
• Contact utility companies for direction on shutoff procedures.

Week 9

Grocery Store:

• 1 jar peanut butter*
• 1 can ready-to-eat soup*
• 1 can of vegetables*
• Sanitary napkins (if needed)
• Scissors

Miscellaneous Items to Gather or Purchase:

• Blankets

To Do:

• Check your house for hazards.
• Identify which hazards you will reduce first.

Week 10

Grocery Store:

• 1 can of juice*
• 1 can ready-to-eat soup*
• 1 can of vegetables*
• Baby food (if needed)
• Thermometer

Miscellaneous Items to Gather or Purchase:

• Sleeping bags**

To Do:

• Test your smoke/fire/carbon monoxide detectors. Replace batteries.
• Have a fire drill.

Week 11

Grocery Store:

• 1 box graham crackers
• 1 box quick energy snacks
• dry cereal
• diapers (if needed)
• vitamins (child & adult)

To Do:

• Secure fish tanks, bird houses and reptile cages.
• Brace shelves and cabinets to wall studs.

Week 12

Hardware Store:

• Double sided tape or velcro
• Duct tape
• Masking tape
• Plumber’s tape

To Do:

• Tie water heater to wall studs.
• Take a first aid/CPR class.

Week 13

Grocery Store:

• Special food for special diets
• Instant coffee, tea, cocoa
• 1 box quick energy snacks
• Pet food (if needed)
• Tweezers

Miscellaneous Items to Gather or Purchase:

• Extra clothing

To Do:

• Place a pair of hard sole shoes and a flashlight under your bed so they are handy during an emergency.
• Store extra cash and credit cards.

Week 14

Grocery Store:

• 1 box quick energy snacks
• 1 gallon of water per pet
• 1 package of paper cups
• Denture supplies (if needed)
• Sewing kit

Miscellaneous Items to Gather or Purchase:

• Jackets

To Do:

• Date each can of food and water containers.
• Investigate home / rental insurance

Week 15

Grocery Store:

• 1 gallon of water per pet
• 1 box heavy-duty garbage bags
• 1 package paper plates*
• Hearing aid batteries (if needed)

Week 16

Hardware Store:

• Pliers
• Screw driver
• Crow bar
• Vise grips
• “L” brackets or flexible straps to secure tall furniture to wall studs

To Do:

• Ask veterinarian about appropriate size container for your pet in case you must evacuate your home.
• Obtain a collar-tag or microchip for your pet for identification

Week 17

Grocery Store:

• 1 box heavy-duty garbage bags
• 1 quart plain liquid bleach
• 2 rolls toilet paper*
• Disposable hand wipes

Miscellaneous Items to Gather or Purchase:

• Towels

To Do:

• Check your child’s day care or school to find out about their disaster plans.
• Find out about your workplace disaster plans.

Week 18

Grocery Store:

• 3 rolls paper towels
• 1 box large heavy-duty garbage bags
• Aluminum foil
• Ipecac syrup and activated charcoal

Miscellaneous Items to Gather or Purchase:

• Hats, umbrella, gloves

To Do:

• Arrange for a friend or neighbor to help your children or watch your pets if you are at work when an emergency strikes.
• Make a plan to check on a neighbor who might need help in an emergency.

Week 19

Grocery Store:

• 1/4 teaspoon (for bleach)
• Eating utensils
• Extra toothbrush*
• Rubbing alcohol

To Do:

• Find out if you have a neighborhood safety organization and join it.
• Develop a neighborhood pet care plan.

Week 20

Hardware Store:

• 1 box disposable dust masks
• ABC Fire extinguisher
• Local area map
• Battery powered camping lantern with extra batteries
• Waterproof portable plastic container with lid for important papers

To Do:

• Research how to become a licensed ham radio operator.
• If you are a licensed ham radio operator, contact a local government agency to volunteer for emergency service.

Week 21

Grocery Store:

• 3 rolls paper towels
• Kleenex
• Large plastic food bags
• Adhesive bandages in various sizes

Miscellaneous Items to Gather or Purchase:

• Shoes

Week 22

Grocery Store:

• Liquid dish soap
• Plastic containers with lids
• Plastic wrap
• Antiseptic

Miscellaneous Items to Gather or Purchase:

• Leashes for pets

Week 23

Grocery Store:

• Large plastic food bags
• Tooth paste
• Cold packs
• Personal hygiene items i.e. deodorant, comb

Week 24

Hardware Store:

• Extra batteries
• Bungee cords
• Child-proof latches
• Large ground screw to secure animals if fences fall.
• Camp stove & fuel

Storage & Use-by Guideline

The following items should be used or replaced at the suggested time:

Use within 6 months:

• Powdered milk (box)
• Dried fruit (in air tight container)
• Dry, crisp crackers (in air tight container)
• Potatoes
• Water
• Bleach

With within one year:

• Canned condensed milk and vegetable soups
• Canned fruits, fruit juices and vegetables
• Ready to eat cereals and uncooked instant cereals (in air tight container)
• Peanut butter
• Jelly
• Canned meats
• Hard candy
• Vitamin C
• Water in manufactured sealed containers

Long life: (if checked annually and in air tight containers and proper conditions)

• Wheat
• Vegetable oil
• Dried corn
• Baking powder
• Soybeans
• Instant coffee, tea and cocoa
• Salt
• Noncarbonated soft drinks
• White rice
• Bouillon products
• Dry pasta
• Powdered milk (nitrogen-packed)

Storage Tips

• Keep food in dry, cool spot – dark area if possible.
• Keep food covered at all times.
• If you open food boxes or cans, do so carefully, so that you can close them tightly after each use.
• Wrap cookies or crackers in a plastic bag and inside a tight container.
• Empty opened packages of sugar, dried fruits and nuts into screw-top jars or air tight cans to protect them from pests.
• Inspect all food for signs of spoilage before use.
• Use foods before they go bad, and replace them with fresh supplies.
• Mark all foods with purchase date with an ink or marking pen.
• Place new items at the back/bottom or the storage area/container.