A first aid kit* should include: Sterile adhesive bandages in assorted sizes, 2-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6) 4-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6), Hypoallergenic adhesive tape, Triangular bandages (3), 2-inch sterile roller bandages (3 rolls), 3-inch sterile roller bandages (3 rolls), Scissors, Tweezers, Needle, Moistened towelettes, Antiseptic, Thermometer, Tongue blades (2), Tube of petroleum jelly or other lubricant, Assorted sizes of safety pins, Cleansing agent/soap, Latex gloves (2 pair), Sunscreen, Non-prescription drugs, Aspirin or nonaspirin pain reliever, Anti-diarrhea medication, Antacid (for stomach upset), Syrup of Ipecac (use to induce vomiting if advised by the Poison Control Center), Laxative, Activated charcoal (use if advised by the Poison Control Center), Antibiotic Ointment Aspirin Tablets (5 grain) Kaopectate Medication recommended by your doctor Bandages Ace bandage Adhesive tape, 2" wide roll Bandages, plastic strips Bandages, large triangular Butterfly bandages Cotton-tipped swabs Gauze pads (4" x 4") Sterile absorbent cotton Sterile gauze bandages, 2" & 4" wide rolls First Aid handbook Petroleum jelly Pocket/utility knife Rubbing alcohol Scissors Thermometer Tissues Tweezers Soap, Shampoo, Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Dental floss Glasses / Contact lenses- Contacts individually packaged in saline solution. Sanitary napkins Sponge Spoon/fork/ small pan, 1 qt pot,& lid, Cup Water purification tablets Matches Lighter Magnesium bar w/ striker Air crew survival firestarter. Candles Map Swiss army knife Sewing kit Pencil and paper Toilet paper in its own baggie. Money Phone numbers Survival manual Personal choice of Religious Text 4 packs gum (sugarfree) External / Internal frame backpack sleeping bag - +25F with OD cover 2 pocket filter straws (40gal ea.) 1qt canteens w/carriers 8x10 tarp or Bivy Sack usually both tri- fold shovel with carrier 10 box Trioxane fuel tabs 3 2400cal USCG food bars 2 - GI poncho w/ 1- liner 1 mosquito net - O.D. 1 hat - wide brimmed/ball cap 1 pr boot w / laces leather work gloves w/wool liners Folding pocket saw Matches, flint, lighter, Knife 2 locking carabiners Pocket sized radio "AA" Solar battery recharger "AA" Binoculars: 8x20 optics Gill net Wire snares Global Positioning system Paper cups, plates and plastic utensils* Battery-operated radio and extra batteries* Flashlight and extra batteries* Cash or traveler's checks, change* Nonelectric can opener, Utility knife Fire extinguisher: small canister, ABC type Tube tent Pliers Tape Compass Matches in a waterproof container Aluminum foil Plastic storage containers Signal flare Paper, pencil Needles, thread Medicine dropper Shut-off wrench, to turn off household gas and water Whistle Plastic sheeting Toilet paper, towelettes* Soap, liquid detergent* Plastic garbage bags, ties (for personal sanitation uses) Plastic bucket with tight lid Disinfectant Household chlorine bleach Clothing and Bedding Include complete changes of clothing and sturdy shoes or work boots per person. Hat and gloves Rain gear* Thermal underwear Blankets or sleeping bags* Sunglasses insulated underwear Thinsulate gloves dishwashing gloves Whetstone 1 8' x 10' green or camo tarp Machette Fire extinguisher: small canister, ABC type Tube tent Pliers Tape Matches in a waterproof container Aluminum foil Plastic storage containers Signal flare Sunglasses Special Items Remember family members with special needs, such as infants and elderly or disabled persons. For Baby* Formula Diapers Bottles Powdered milk Medications For Adults* Heart and high blood pressure medication Insulin Prescription drugs Denture needs Contact lenses and supplies Extra eye glasses Entertainment--games and books. Important Family Documents Keep these records in a waterproof, portable container. Will, insurance policies, contracts, deeds, stocks and bonds Passports, social security cards, immunization records Bank account numbers Credit card account numbers and companies Inventory of valuable household goods, important telephone numbers Family records (birth, marriage, death certificates) invest in an AM Crystal radio kit to conserve batteries and still get AM radio reports, the cost is about 10 to 15 dollars, and does not use batteries, the sound quality is based on the transmitting stations power output in its signal, but it may help especially if C.N.N. or the local t.v. station is out of service.survival handbook blanket, wool blanket, mylar emergency, silver reflective light sticks - 12 hr green, orange, white canteen, 2 qt. w/carry strap eye goggles, clear plastic w/snapon dark lens fire start kit - magnesium block & flint & fire cubes food ration, survival/emergency - 1 person 6 days gloves, heavy duty work ground cloth, clear plastic insect repellant - cutter spray knife, multi-purpose, w/pliers, file, and screwdriver phone numbers - ambulance, hospital, friends out of state rope, nylon 50 ft, 550 lb test safety pins, large & small saw, wood and metal stove w/extra fuel sunglasses w/ keeper strap sunscreen, 25 protection toliet paper, small rolls, flattened water purification, (chemical or filter) water ration pacs, 3 day supply @ 4 qt / day whistle, signal axe bouillon cubes - beef, vegetable & chicken cooking kit w/utensils and cup aluminum flares, aerial - 300 ft and up (pencil type) flares, road, 20 min red foil sheets, cooking food, spam canned ham jacket, medium/light weight lantern, using same fuel as stove razors, single edge snake kit and extractor spices kit: salt,pepper,garlic,hot pepper,etc strobe signal light (xenon bulb) w/extra batteries tape, 2" roll of silver duct water bag, 5 gallon TUBE TENT (2 person / with rope) MATCHES (windproof / waterproof) 5 each DUST MASKS ZIPLOCK BAGS SUNTAN LOTION (full block, wet/dry Face Aloeap/, 1 oz, PF 25) RADIO (small / in bag) CASH $75 paper and coin Do NOT store money in your 72hr kit! JACKET & GLOVES (keep in car) CHANGE of CLOTHES (with walking shoes) FRUIT, DRIED WASH CLOTH HAND TOWEL TENT 2-MAN (Odyssey) WARMER PACKS (18 hour / hand and body) MRE (food 10-lbs, MRE, Side, Fruit bars, Desserts, Hard Candy MRE HEATER (to heat 3 entree / 1 a day) Cyalume sticks- Two 12 hr. green. Flameless, no batteries 2 pocket filter straws (40gal ea.) 2- 1qt canteens w/carriers 8x10 tarp or Bivy Sack usually both Global Positioning system 1 set of insulated underwear (recommend dark color) Thinsulate gloves dishwashing gloves survival handbook eye goggles, clear plastic w/snapon dark lens food ration, survival/emergency - 1 person 6 days gloves, heavy duty work ground cloth, clear plastic Tools Craftsman or better quality, recommended minimum contents: Set Assorted Screwdrivers / Straight Tip / Phillips Slip Joint Pliers - 7" or 8" Channel Lock Pliers - 9" Wire Cutters/Dykes - 6" or 7" Needle Nose Pliers - 6" Lineman's Pliers - 7" or 8" Combination Open & Box End Wrench Set, 1/4" 13/16" or 1" Pipe Wrench - 9" or 10" Pipe Wrench - 12" Adjustable Wrench - 6" Adjustable Wrench - 9" Adjustable Wrench - 12" Vise-Grip Pliers - medium Vise-Grip Pliers - standard Hacksaw frame and 10 bi-metal blades Roll Teflon Tape Utility Knife w spare blades Pipe Cutter 3/8 in. drive Socket Set:1/4",13/16" 3/4" Hex Key Wrench Set Set Punch and Chisels Tree Saw with spare blades if applicable Pocket ChainSaw / Survival Saw CrowBar/ Wrecking Bar Hammer, claw type, fiberglass or steel handle, 14 or 16 oz. Come-Along Cable Puller (4000 lb. minimum pull) Gas Powered Chain Saw, minimum 16 inch, 18 - 20 inch preferred, w 2.5 - 5 gal. Fuel* and Oil as required, chain saw sharpener file w guide, spare chain, maintenance kit and safety gear. * Cross Cut Hand Saw (Stanley brand Short Cut saw recommended) Measuring Tape, 20+ft. Shovel w/ Fiberglass handle 6 ft. Step Ladder* Bolt Cutters Pliers knife, multi-purpose, w/pliers, file, and screwdriver Selection of nails, machine, wood or drywall screws, wire nuts, nuts and bolts* lighter Shut off wrench Knife Sharpener 4 Spare Flashlight Bulbs Spare Flashlight Lens Saw, wood and metal* 50 ft. 3/8 to 1/2; Nylon Utlity Climbing Rope (not poly) 1 roll .032 Stainless Safety Wire 100 standard medium size Cable Ties (Panduit or Equal) 50 large size Cable Ties (Panduit or equal) 50 extra large size Cable Ties (Panduit or equal) Roll Premium Industrial Grade Duct Tape Roll 3M brand "33" Electrical Tape rope, nylon 50 ft, 550 lb test Fire extinguisher large 5-20 pound, type ABC. Crow bar, 1 ft min. Leather gloves. Plastic tarp, 9 x 12 ft min. Nylon rope, 100 foot. Duct tape. Portable generator. Make your selection based on what really needs to be powered and the run time of the model. Our recommendation is for a maximum size of 5 HP, 2250 Watt 120 v ac only. To get a 230vac generator will require an 8 HP motor, and your run time will drop in half. Typically, the only items in your house that will require 230vac is an electric heating system, an electric water heater, or an electric range. What you really need to power is a refrigerator, a few lights, and a radio. Power converter for running 120 volt items from car battery. Family Disaster Supplies Kit After a disaster, local officials and relief workers will be on the scene, but they cannot reach everyone immediately. You could get help in hours, or it may take days. Would your family be prepared to cope with the emergency until help arrives? Your family will cope best by preparing for disaster before it strikes. One way to prepare is by assembling a Disaster Supplies Kit. Once disaster hits, you won't have time to shop or search for supplies. But if you've gathered supplies in advance, your family can endure an evacuation or home confinement. To prepare your kit Review the checklists in this document. Gather the supplies that are listed. You may need them if your family is confined at home. Place the supplies you'd most likely need for an evacuation in an easy-to-carry container. These supplies are listed with an asterisk (*). Disasters happen anytime and anywhere. And when disaster strikes, you may not have much time to respond.A highway spill of hazardous material could mean instant evacuation. A winter storm could confine your family at home. An earthquake, flood, tornado or any other disaster could cut off basic services--gas, water, electricity and telephones--for days. Water Store water in plastic containers such as soft drink bottles. Avoid using containers that will decompose or break, such as milk cartons or glass bottles. A normally active person needs to drink at least two quarts of water each day. Hot environments and intense physical activity can double that amount. Children, nursing mothers and ill people will need more. Store one gallon of water per person per day (two quarts for drinking, two quarts for food preparation/sanitation)* Keep at least a three-day supply of water for each person in your household. Food Store at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food. Select foods that require no refrigeration, preparation or cooking and little or no water. If you must heat food, pack a can of sterno. Select food items that are compact and lightweight. Include a selection of the following foods in your Disaster Supplies Kit: Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits and vegetables Canned juices, milk, soup (if powdered, store extra water) Staples--sugar, salt, pepper High energy foods--peanut butter, jelly, crackers, granola bars, trail mix Vitamins Foods for infants, elderly persons or persons on special diets Comfort/stress foods--cookies, hard candy, sweetened cereals, lollipops, instant coffee, tea bags First Aid Kit Assemble a first aid kit for your home and one for each car. A first aid kit* should include: Sterile adhesive bandages in assorted sizes 2-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6) 4-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6) Hypoallergenic adhesive tape Triangular bandages (3) 2-inch sterile roller bandages (3 rolls) 3-inch sterile roller bandages (3 rolls) Scissors Tweezers Needle Moistened towelettes Antiseptic Thermometer Tongue blades (2) Tube of petroleum jelly or other lubricant Assorted sizes of safety pins Cleansing agent/soap Latex gloves (2 pair) Sunscreen Non-prescription drugs Aspirin or nonaspirin pain reliever Anti-diarrhea medication Antacid (for stomach upset) Syrup of Ipecac (use to induce vomiting if advised by the Poison Control Center) Laxative Activated charcoal (use if advised by the Poison Control Center) Contact your local American Red Cross chapter to obtain a basic first aid manual. SUPPLIES There are six basics you should stock in your home: water, food, first aid supplies, clothing and bedding, tools and emergency supplies and special items. Keep the items that you would most likely need during an evacuation in an easy-to-carry container--suggested items are marked with an asterisk(*). Possible containers include a large, covered trash container; a camping backpack; or a duffle bag. Tools and Supplies Mess kits, or paper cups, plates and plastic utensils* Emergency preparedness manual* Battery-operated radio and extra batteries* Flashlight and extra batteries* Cash or traveler's checks, change* Nonelectric can opener, utility knife* Fire extinguisher: small canister, ABC type Tube tent Pliers Tape Compass Matches in a waterproof container Aluminum foil Plastic storage containers Signal flare Paper, pencil Needles, thread Medicine dropper Shut-off wrench, to turn off household gas and water Whistle Plastic sheeting Map of the area (for locating shelters) Sanitation Toilet paper, towelettes* Soap, liquid detergent* Feminine supplies* Personal hygiene items* Plastic garbage bags, ties (for personal sanitation uses) Plastic bucket with tight lid Disinfectant Household chlorine bleach *Include at least one complete change of clothing and footwear per person. Sturdy shoes or work boots* Hat and gloves Rain gear* Thermal underwear Blankets or sleeping bags* Sunglasses Remember family members with special needs, such as infants and elderly or disabled persons. For Baby* Formula Diapers Bottles Powdered milk Medications For Adults* Heart and high blood pressure medication Insulin Prescription drugs Denture needs Contact lenses and supplies Extra eye glasses Entertainment--games and books. Important Family Documents Keep these records in a waterproof, portable container. Will, insurance policies, contracts, deeds, stocks and bonds Passports, social security cards, immunization records Bank account numbers Credit card account numbers and companies Inventory of valuable household goods, important telephone numbers Family records (birth, marriage, death certificates) SUGGESTIONS AND REMINDERS Store your kit in a convenient place known to all family members. Keep a smaller version of the Disaster Supplies Kit in the trunk of your car. Keep items in air-tight plastic bags. Change your stored water supply every six months so it stays fresh. Rotate your stored food every six months. Re-think your kit and family needs at least once a year. Replace batteries, update clothes, etc. Ask your physician or pharmacist about storing prescription medications. CREATE A FAMILY DISASTER PLAN To get started... Contact your local emergency management or civil defense office and your local American Red Cross chapter. Find out which disasters are most likely to happen in your community. Ask how you would be warned. Find out how to prepare for each. Meet with your family. Discuss the types of disaster s that could occur. Explain how to prepare and respond. Discuss what to do if advised to evacuate. Practice what you have discussed. Plan how your family will stay in contact if separated by disaster. Pick two meeting places: 1) a location a safe distance from your home in case of fire. 2) a place outside your neighborhood in case you can't return home. Choose an out-of-state friend as a "check-in contact" for everyone to call. Complete these steps. Post emergency telephone numbers by every phone. Show responsible family members how and when to shut off water, gas and electricity at main switches. Install a smoke detector on each level of your home, especially near bedrooms; test monthly and change the batteries two times each year. Contact your local fire department to learn about home fire hazards. Learn first aid and CPR. Contact your local American Red Cross chapter for information and training. Meet with your neighbors. Plan how the neighborhood could work together after a disaster. Know your neighbors' skills (medical, technical). Consider how you could help neighbors who have special needs, such as elderly or disabled persons. Make plans for child care in case parents can't get home. Remember to practice and maintain your plan. WATER: THE ABSOLUTE NECESSITY Stocking water reserves and learning how to purify contaminated water should be among your top priorities in preparing for an emergency. You should store at least a two-week supply of water for each member of your family. Everyone's needs will differ, depending upon age, physical condition, activity, diet and climate. A normally active person needs to drink at least two quarts of water each day. Hot environments can double that amount. Children, nursing mothers and ill people will need more. You will need additional water for food preparation and hygiene. Store a total of at least one gallon per person, per day. If your supplies begin to run low, remember: Never ration water. Drink the amount you need today, and try to find more for tomorrow. You can minimize the amount of water your body needs by reducing activity and staying cool. Short-Term Food Supplies Even though it is unlikely that an emergency would cut off your food supply for two weeks, you should prepare a supply that will last that long. A two-week supply can relieve a great deal of inconvenience and uncertainty until services are restored. The easiest way to develop a two-week stockpile is to increase the amount of basic foods you normally keep on your shelves. Remember to compensate for the amount you eat from other sources (such as restaurants) during an average two-week period. You may already have a two-week supply of food on hand. Keeping it fresh is simple. Just rotate your supply once or twice a year. Keep in Mind As you stock food, take into account your family's unique needs and tastes. Try to include foods that they will enjoy and that are also high in calories and nutrition. Foods that require no refrigeration, preparation or cooking are best. Individuals with special diets and allergies will need particular attention, as will babies, toddlers and the elderly. Nursing mothers may need liquid formula, in case they are unable to nurse. Canned dietetic foods, juices and soups may be helpful for the ill or elderly. Make sure you have a can opener and disposable utensils. And don't forget nonperishable foods for your pets. How to Store Your Short-Term Stockpile Keep canned foods in a dry place where the temperature is fairly cool--not above 70 degrees Fahrenheit and not below freezing. To protect boxed foods from pests and extend their shelf life, store the boxes in tightly closed cans or metal containers. Rotate your food supply. Use foods before they go bad, and replace them with fresh supplies, dated with ink or marker. Place new items at the back of the storage area and older ones in front. Your emergency food supply should be of the highest quality possible. Inspect your reserves periodically to make sure there are no broken seals or dented containers. Long-Term Food Supplies In the unlikely event of a military attack or some other national disaster, you may need long-term emergency food supplies. The best approach is to store large amounts of staples along with a variety of canned and dried foods. Bulk quantities of wheat, corn, beans and salt are inexpensive and have nearly unlimited shelf life. If necessary, you could survive for years on small daily amounts of these staples. Stock the following amounts per person, per month: Wheat--20 pounds, Powdered Milk(for babies and infants)*-- 20 pounds, Corn--20 pounds, Iodized Salt--1 pound, Soybeans--10 pounds, Vitamin C**--15 grams, * Buy in nitrogen-packed cans, ** Rotate every two years, Storage and Preparation of Food Supplies Store wheat, corn and beans in sealed cans or plastic buckets. Buy powdered milk in nitrogen-packed cans. And leave salt and vitamin C in their original packages. If these staples comprise your entire menu, you must eat all of them together to stay healthy. To avoid serious digestive problems, you'll need to grind the corn and wheat into flour and cook them, as well as boil the beans, before eating. Many health food stores sell hand-cranked grain mills or can tell you where you can get one. Make sure you buy one that can grind corn. If you are caught without a mill, you can grind your grain by filling a large can with whole grain one inch deep, holding the can on the ground between your feet and pounding the grain with a pipe. Nutrition Tips: In a crisis, it will be vital that you maintain your strength. So remember: Eat at least one well-balanced meal each day. Drink enough liquid to enable your body to function properly (two quarts a day). Take in enough calories to enable you to do any necessary work. Include vitamin, mineral and protein supplements in your stockpile to assure adequate nutrition. Shelf Life of Foods for Storage Here are some general guidelines for rotating common emergency foods. Use within six months: Powdered milk (boxed) Dried fruit (in metal container) Dry, crisp crackers (in metal container) Potatoes Use within one year: Canned condensed meat and vegetable soups Canned fruits, fruit juices and vegetables Ready-to-eat cereals and uncooked instant cereals (in metal containers) Peanut butter Jelly Hard candy, chocolate bars and canned nuts May be stored indefinitely (in proper containers and conditions): Wheat Vegetable oils Corn Baking powder Soybeans Instant coffee, tea Vitamin C cocoa Salt Noncarbonated soft drinks White rice Bouillon products Dry pasta Powdered milk (in nitrogen-packed cans) Ways to Supplement Your Long-Term Stockpile, The above staples offer a limited menu, but you can supplement them with commercially packed air-dried or freeze-dried foods and supermarket goods. Rice, popcorn and varieties of beans are nutritious and long-lasting. The more supplements you include, the more expensive your stockpile will be. Following is an easy approach to long-term food storage: Buy a supply of the bulk staples listed above. Build up your everyday stock of canned goods until you have a two-week to one-month surplus. Rotate it periodically to maintain a supply of common foods that will not require special preparation, water or cooking. From a sporting or camping equipment store, buy commercially packaged, freeze-dried or air-dried foods. Although costly, this will be your best form of stored meat, so buy accordingly. If the Electricity Goes Off FIRST, use perishable food and foods from the refrigerator. THEN use the foods from the freezer. To minimize the number of times you open the freezer door, post a list of freezer contents on it. In a well-filled, well-insulated freezer, foods will usually still have ice crystals in their centers (meaning foods are safe to eat) for at least three days. FINALLY, begin to use non-perishable foods and staples. Store at least three days worth of water for each family member - including pets. A minimum of 1 liter per person per day (for drinking purposes only) is the bare minimum for survival. For our family of 5 people and our dog, we have stored in excess of 40 liters. This is one of the most difficult questions to answer. The shelf life of water depends on the original quality of the water, the temperature at which it is stored, how much light it is exposed to just to name a few. Many manufacturers of bottled water will include a shelf life on their product. Stored water may eventually develop a disagreeable appearance, taste, or odor. Inspect your water supply at least every six months to see whether the containers have leaks or if any of the above problems have occurred. Under emergency conditions, water that tastes flat can be aerated by pouring the water from one container to another to another about three or four times. To increase the shelf life of water stored in translucent containers, group the containers together in dark plastic bags to keep out the light. Polyethylene plastics (water, milk, and bleach bottles) can be permeated by hydrocarbon vapors. Store your water supply away from gasoline,kerosene, pesticides, or similar substances. Liquid bleach, tincture of iodine, use two drops of bleach or three drops of tincture of iodine per liter. If the water is cloudy, then these amounts should be doubled. Store an eye dropper with your emergency supplies, to be used only for this purpose. Water purification tablets. Date all food items and rotate stock as required to maintain freshness. Write out a menu for each day. Bottle of multi-vitamins, Canned fruit juice, Canned tuna or pork and beans (® lb./person) Dried fruit (® lb./person),Graham crackers (® lb./person), Nonfat dry milk (® lb./person) Peanut butter (® lb./person)This supplies daily 2100 calories and essential nutrients. Water (1 gal./person per day. Store water separately in sealed containers. Short-Term Food Supplies Even though it is unlikely that an emergency would cut off your food supply for two weeks, you should prepare a supply that will last that long. A two-week supply can relieve a great deal of inconvenience and uncertainty until services are restored. Keeping it fresh is simple. Just rotate your supply once or twice a year. Long-Term Food Supplies In the unlikely event of a military attack or some other national disaster, you may need long-term emergency food supplies. The best approach is to store large amounts of staples along with a variety of canned and dried foods. Bulk quantities of wheat, corn, beans and salt are inexpensive and have nearly unlimited shelf life. If necessary, you could survive for years on small daily amounts of these staples. Stock the following amounts per person, per month: Wheat--20 pounds, Powdered Milk (for babies and infants)*-- 20 pounds, Corn--20 pounds, Iodized Salt--1 pound, Soybeans--10 pounds, Vitamin C**--15 grams, * Buy in nitrogen-packed cans ** Rotate every two years. Storage and Preparation of Food Supplies Store wheat, corn and beans in sealed cans or plastic buckets. Buy powdered milk in nitrogen packed cans. And leave salt and vitamin C in their original packages. If these staples comprise your entire menu, you must eat all of them together to stay healthy. To avoid serious digestive problems, you'll need to grind the corn and wheat into flour and cook them, as well as boil the beans, before eating. Many health food stores sell hand-cranked grain mills or can tell you where you can get one. Make sure you buy one that can grind corn. If you are caught without a mill, you can grind your grain by filling a large can with whole grain one inch deep, holding the can on the ground between your feet and pounding the grain with a pipe. Storing Emergency Water Supplies water in thoroughly washed plastic, glass, or enamel-lined metal containers. Sound plastic containers, such as soft drink bottles, are best. You can also purchase food-grade plastic buckets or drums. Before storing your water, treat it with a preservative, such as chlorine bleach, to prevent the growth of microorganisms. Use liquid bleach that contains 5.25 percent sodium hypochlorite and no soap. In addition to having a bad odor and taste, contaminated water can contain microorganisms that cause diseases such as dysentery, cholera, typhoid and hepatitis. You should therefore purify all water of uncertain purity before using it for drinking, food preparation or hygiene. There are many ways to purify water. None are perfect. Often the best solution is a combination of methods. Before purifying, let any suspended particles settle to the bottom, or strain them through layers of paper towel or clean cloth. Three easy purification methods are outlined below. These measures will kill microbes but will not remove other contaminants such as heavy metals, salts, most other chemicals and radioactive fallout. Boiling is the safest method of purifying water. Bring water to a rolling boil for 10 minutes, keeping in mind that some water will evaporate. Let the water cool before drinking. Boiled water will taste better if you put oxygen back into it by pouring it back and forth between two containers. This will also improve the taste of stored water. Chlorination uses liquid chlorine bleach to kill microorganisms. Add two drops of bleach per quart of water (four drops if the water is cloudy), stir and let stand for 30 minutes. If the water does not taste and smell of chlorine at that point, add another dose and let stand another 15 minutes. If you do not have a dropper, use a spoon and a square-ended strip of paper or thin cloth about 1/4 inch by 2 inches. Put the strip in the spoon with an end hanging down about ® inch below the scoop of the spoon. Place bleach in the spoon and carefully tip it. Drops the size of those from a medicine dropper will drip off the end of the strip. Purification tablets release chlorine or iodine. They are inexpensive and available at most sporting goods stores and some drugstores. Follow the package directions. Usually one tablet is enough for one quart of water. Double the dose for cloudy water. While the three methods described above will remove only microbes from water, the following two purification methods will remove other contaminants. Distillation will remove microbes, heavy metals, salts, most other chemicals, and radioactive dust and dirt, called radioactive fallout. Filtering will also remove radioactive fallout. (Water itself cannot become radioactive, but it can be contaminated by radioactive fallout. It is unsafe to drink water that contains radioactive fallout.) Distillation involves boiling water and then collecting the vapor that condenses back to water. The condensed vapor will not include salt and other impurities. To distill, fill a pot halfway with water. Tie a cup to the handle on the pot's lid so that the cup will hang right-side-up when the lid is upside-down (make sure the cup is not dangling into the water) and boil the water for 20 minutes. The water that drips from the lid into the cup is distilled. To make a fallout filter, punch holes in the bottom of a large bucket, and put a layer of gravel in the bucket about 1-1/2 inches high. Cover the gravel with a towel cut in a circle slightly larger than the bucket. Cover soil with a towel, place the filter over a large container, and pour contaminated water through. Then, disinfect the filtered water using one of the methods described above. Change the soil in your filter after every 50 quarts of water. Pack at least a three-day supply of food and water, and store it in a handy place. Choose foods that are easy to carry, nutritious and ready-to-eat. Storage Tips Keep food in the driest and coolest spot in the house--a dark area if possible. Keep food covered at all times. Open food boxes or cans carefully so that you can close them tightly after each use. Wrap cookies and crackers in plastic bags, and keep them in tight containers. 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 containers for signs of spoilage before use.