Residential Preparedness

Residential Preparedness

Advance preparation for emergencies is critical, especially since most emergencies occur without warning.  Whether a natural disaster, medical emergency or civil unrest, it is prudent to be ready ahead of time.  The following guidelines are offered to assist residents of Bangladesh in preparing for unforeseen emergency situations. 

Water

You should have at least a seven-day supply of water.  You should plan for at least one gallon of water per person per day.  A normally active person needs at least one-half gallon of water daily just for drinking.

Additionally, in determining adequate quantities, take the following into account:

• Individual needs vary, depending on age, physical condition, activity, diet, and climate.
• Children, nursing mothers, and ill people need more water.
• Very hot temperatures can double the amount of water needed.
• A medical emergency might require additional water.

Food

Store at least a seven-day supply of non-perishable foods.  Select foods that require no refrigeration, preparation or cooking and little or no water.  Select food items that are compact and lightweight. Avoid foods that will make you thirsty.  Choose salt-free crackers, whole grain cereals, and canned foods with high liquid content.

Include a selection of the following foods in your Disaster Supplies Kit:

Note: Be sure to include a manual can opener.

• Canned juices, milk, soup (if powdered, store extra water)
• Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits and vegetables
• Staples--sugar, salt, pepper
• High energy foods--peanut butter, jelly, crackers, granola bars, trail mix
• Vitamins
• Foods for infants, elderly persons or persons with special dietary needs 
• Comfort/stress foods--cookies, hard candy, sweetened cereals, lollipops, instant coffee, tea bags 

Non-prescription drugs

• Aspirin or non-aspirin 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)

 

Clothing, Bedding and Sanitation Supplies

Include at least one complete change of clothing and footwear per person.

• Jacket or coat
• Long pants
• Long sleeve shirt
• Sturdy shoes or work boots
• Hat, gloves and scarf 
• Rain gear
• Blankets or sleeping bags
• Sanitation
• Toilet paper
• 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

Tools

• Mess kits, or paper cups, plates and plastic utensils
• Portable, battery-operated radio or television and extra batteries
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Cash or traveler's checks, change
• Non-electric can opener, utility knife
• Fire extinguisher: small canister, ABC type
• Pliers
• First Aid Kit
• Scissors
• Tape
• Matches in a waterproof container
• Aluminum foil
• Plastic storage containers
• Paper, pencil
• Shut-off wrench, to turn off household gas and water
• Whistle
• Plastic sheeting
• Map of the area (for locating shelters, safe areas or other allied Embassies)

Communications

Ensure that all persons in your household know how to use cell phones, including children.  Keep your cell phone charged at all times.

Special Items

Remember members of your household with special needs, such as infants and elderly or physically challenged persons.

For Baby

• Formula
• Diapers
• Bottles
• Pacifiers
• Powdered milk
• Medications

For Adults

• Heart and high blood pressure medications
• Insulin
• Prescription drugs
• Denture needs
• Contact lenses and supplies
• Extra eye glasses
• Hearing aid batteries
• Important Documents

Keep these records in a waterproof, portable container:

• Will, insurance policies, contracts, deeds, stocks and bonds
• Photo IDs, 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)
• Photocopies of credit and identification cards

 

Cash – Taka and American Currency

• Consider keeping some cash in U.S. Dollars and Taka on hand.
  

The following is a general checklist intended to help families in Bangladesh prepare for emergencies: 


• Do I/we know where all fire extinguishers are located within our home?
• Do I/we know where gas shut off valves are located in the kitchen and outside the house?  Do I/we know how to shut off the valves?
• Do I/we know emergency escape routes from my house?
• Do I/we know how to secure the gates to our home?
• Do I/we know how to arm and disarm the residential security alarm system?
• Do I/we know where the safe haven in my home is located?
• Do I/we know how to secure the safe haven?
• Do I/we know which television channels carry local news in English?
• Do I/we know where important phone numbers can be found?
• Have I/we discussed these issues with my household staff?

  These are examples of questions to ask in the event of a civil disturbance and are intended to get you and your family thinking about what you may need to know if you are required to shelter in place.  More examples of questions to ask can be found at numerous websites such www.redcross.org and www.fema.gov.

  Experience shows that the best laid plans can easily come unraveled in the event of an emergency.  Like emergency contingency plans within government facilities, emergency plans at home must be drilled.

  U.S. Embassy

  Dhaka, Bangladesh

   

  Updated: January 9, 2007