Based on past disasters locally and worldwide, the Windsor Police Department would like to encourage individuals, families, and businesses to be prepared for future emergencies.

Emergency responders may not be able to reach citizens for various reasons and therefore it is essential that individuals and neighborhoods be prepared to be on their own for a minimum of 3 to 5 days.

Below are suggestions of items to be contained in Disaster Preparedness Kits for personal, home, and auto use. Additional supplies such as water, food, and medical supplies may need to be added to adequately prepare for the severity of a long-term emergency.

Personal Kit

• Water – 6 8 oz. boxes or pouches of water (5 year life)
• Food – 9 - Meal Size Energy Bars (5 year life)
• Warmth/Shelter - 1 - Emergency Blanket, 3 - 12 hr. Body Warmers, 1 - Emergency Poncho Medical Supplies - 1 – First Aid/Medical Kit, 3 - Pill box, 3 - pair Medical Gloves
• Lighting - 1 – “D” Flashlight with batteries
• Radio - 1 – AM/FM Emergency Radio with batteries
• Support Supplies - 1 – whistle, 3 pairs work gloves, 3 dust masks, 1 pack wet wipes, 1 - Pocket Tissue Package, 1 - 30 Gallon Plastic Bag, 3 - 10 Gallon Plastic Bags
• Packaging – One Bag or bucket with handle

Plus the following personalized items:

• Medications and medical consent forms for dependents.
• First aid kit and handbook.
• Spare eyeglasses and personal hygiene supplies.
• Bottled water.
• Emergency cash.
• List of emergency contact phone numbers.
• Comfort items, such as games, crayons, writing materials, and toys.

Home Kit

Household utilities, transportation, and other vital systems can be disrupted for several days after a large disaster. Emergency response agencies and hospitals will likely be overwhelmed and unable to provide you with immediate assistance. To help your family cope after a disaster, store a household disaster kit in an easily accessible location, preferably outdoors (not in your garage). This kit, which complements your personal disaster kits, should be in a large watertight container that can be easily moved and should hold at least a 3- to 5-day supply of the following items:

• Drinking water (minimum one gallon per person per day).
• First aid supplies, medications, and essential hygiene items, such as soap, toothpaste, and toilet paper.
• Emergency lighting - light sticks and (or) a working flashlight with extra batteries and light bulbs (hand-powered flashlights are also available).
• A hand-cranked or battery-operated radio (and spare batteries).
• Canned and packaged foods and cooking utensils, including a manual can opener.
• Items to protect you from the elements, such as warm clothing, sturdy shoes, extra socks, blankets, and perhaps even a tent.
• Heavy-duty plastic bags - for waste and to serve other uses, such as tarps and rain ponchos.
• Work gloves and protective goggles.
• Pet food and pet restraints.
• Copies of vital documents, such as insurance policies and personal identification.

Car Kit

• Water - 12 8 oz boxes or pouches of water (5 year life)
• Food – 15 - Meal Size Energy Bars (5 year life)
• Warmth/Shelter - 2 - Emergency Blanket, 4 - 12 hr. Body Warmers, 2 - Emergency Poncho Medical Supplies - 1– First Aid/Medical Kit, 3 - Pill box, 3 - pair Medical Gloves
• Lighting - 2 – “D” Flashlight with batteries, 6 Lightsticks
• Radio - 1 – AM/FM Emergency Radio with batteries
• Support Supplies - 2 – whistles, 6 pairs work gloves, 6 dust masks, 2 pack wet wipes, 2- Pocket Tissue
• Package, 2 - 30 Gallon Plastic Bag, 6 - 10 Gallon Plastic Bags, 1 pack waterproof matches, 1 multifunction tool, 2 hygiene kits,
• Packaging – One Bag or bucket with handle

Other ways to Prepare

Although it is nearly impossible to predict when an earthquake will happen, being prepared is crucial to how you will be affected. Please read How to Prepare your Home and What to do after an Earthquake. Both contain valuable information on being prepared and coping after an earthquake.

Helpful Links

American Red Cross
County of Sonoma Department of Emergency Management