Print out the calendar, and after you purchase or acquire an item or complete an activity, check the space next to it.
| Month 1 | |
| Purchase: __ Water -- 3 gallons per person and pet __ Hand-operated, non-electric can opener and bottle opener __ Instant drinks -- coffee, tea, powdered soft drinks, etc. __ 2 Flashlights with batteries |
Activities: __ Make your family disaster preparedness plan __ Inventory disaster supplies already on hand, including camping gear __ If you fill your own water containers, mark them with the date filled __ Date water and food containers if they are not dated __ Conduct a home hazard hunt |
| Month 2 | |
| Purchase: __ Canned meat, stew or pasta meals -- 5 per person __ Sanitary napkins __ Videotape __ Family-size first aid kit |
Activities: __ Change battery and test smoke detector (Purchase and install one if you don't already have it) __ Videotape your home, including contents, for insurance purposes. Store the tape with friends or family who live out of town |
| Month 3 | |
| Purchase: __ Canned fruit -- 3 cans per person __ Any foods for special dietary needs -- enough for three days __ Toilet paper -- 2 rolls per person __ Crescent wrenches or utility shutoff tools |
Activities: __ Conduct a home fire drill __ Check with your child's day car center or school to find out about their disaster plans __ Locate gas meter and water shutoff points, and attach or store a wrench or shutoff tool next to them __ Establish an out-of-state contact to call in case of emergency |
| Month 4 | |
| Purchase: __ Canned vegetables -- 4 cans per person __ Extra baby bottles, formula and diapers, if needed __ Extra pet supplies -- food, collar, leash, etc. __ Large storage containers for preparedness supplies |
Activities: __ Place a sturdy pair of shoes and a flashlight under your bed so that they are handy during an emergency __ Place a supply of prescription medicines in a storage container and date the medicines if they are not already so indicated on the label __ Begin putting supplies in storage containers, and include blankets or sleeping bags for each family member |
| Month 5 | |
| Purchase: __ Canned, ready-to-eat soup -- 2 cans per person __ Liquid dish soap __ Plain liquid bleach __ Portable AM/FM radio with batteries (or a solar/windup version) __ Anti-bacterial liquid hand soap __ Disposable hand wipes |
Activities: __ Make photocopies of important papers and place them in storage containers __ Talk with neighbors and find out who may have skills or training that are beneficial in a disaster (first aid, child care, amateur radio, tree removal, small engine repair, heavy equipment operations, wilderness survival, light rescue, carpentry) |
Select food items based on your family's preferences. Pick low-salt, water-packed varieties when possible. Examples include:
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| Month 6 | |
| Purchase: __ Quick-energy snacks -- granola bars, raisins, peanut butter, etc. __ Paper towels -- 6 rolls __ Facial tissue -- 3 boxes __ Sunscreen __ Anti-diarrhea medicine __ Latex gloves -- 6 pairs, stored in your first aid kits |
Activities: __ Check to see if your stored water has expired and needs replacing (replace every six months if you fill your own; store-bought water will have an expiration date on the container) __ Put an extra pair of eyeglasses in the storage container __ Store a roll of quarters with your emergency supplies and locate the pay phone nearest your home __ Find out about your workplace disaster plans |
| Month 7 | |
| Purchase: __ Whistle __ A-B-C- fire extinguisher __ Canned juice -- 1 large can per person __ Adult and children’s' vitamins __A pair of pliers and/or vise grips |
Activities: __ Take a first aid/CPR class __ Identify neighbors who might need help in an emergency, including those with limited mobility or health problems and children who might be alone __ Show family members where and how to shut off the utilities |
| Month 8 | |
| Purchase: __ Boxes of crackers or graham crackers __ Dry cereal __ "Child-proof" latches or other fasteners for cabinet doors and drawers __ Large, heavy-duty garbage bags -- 1 box __ Camping or utility knife |
Activities: __ Secure shelves, cabinets and drawers to prevent them from falling and/or opening during earthquakes __ Meet with neighbors to inventory expensive equipment that you could share in case of emergency (chain saws, chippers/shredders, utility trailers, snow blowers, four-wheel-drive vehicles, etc. |
| Month 9 | |
| Purchase: __ Extra batteries for flashlights, radios and hearing aids, if needed __ Heavy rope __ Duct tape __ Crowbar |
Activities: __ Make a small preparedness kit for your car. Include food, water, blanket, small first aid kit, a list of important phone numbers, and quarters for pay phones __ Secure your water heater to wall studs, if not already done |
| Month 10 | |
| Purchase: __ Hammer and assorted nails __ Screw drivers and assorted wood screws __ Heavy-duty tarps or sheets of plastic __ Extra toothbrush and toothpaste for each person |
Activities: __ Make arrangements to have someone help your children if you are at work or away when an emergency occurs __ Conduct an earthquake drill at home __ Replace prescription medicines as required by expiration dates |
| Month 11 | |
| Purchase: __ Package of paper plates __ Package of napkins __ Package of plastic eating utensils __ Package of paper cups __ Masking tape __ Kitchen-size garbage bags -- 1 box |
Activities: __ Make arrangements to have someone take care of your pets if you are at work or away when an emergency occurs __ Exchange work, home and emergency contact numbers with neighbors for use in an emergency __ Start a Neighborhood Watch program if none exists |
| Month 12 | |
| Purchase: __ Heavy work gloves __ Box of disposable dust masks __ Safety goggles __ Antiseptic __ Sewing kit |
Activities: __ Check to see if your stored water has expired and needs replacing (replace every six months if you fill your own; store-bought water will have an expiration date on the container) __ Check the dates on stored food and replace as needed |