As in other emergencies, pandemic influenza could affect everyday life. Schools and businesses might be closed, travel could be limited, and there may be some shortages during an influenza pandemic. By preparing now, you can help protect yourself and your family when a pandemic does occur. As you plan, it is important to think about the challenges that you might face. Below are some resources to help you with your planning.
Pandemic Influenza Guide for Individuals and Families
Pandemic Influenza Planning Checklist for Individual and Families
Planning for a pandemic
Store a minumum of a two week supply of water and food. During a pandemic, if you cannot get to a store, or if stores are out of supplies, it will be important for you to have extra supplies on hand. This can be useful in other types of emergencies, such as power outages and disasters.
Nonperishable food that does not require cooking such as ready-to-eat canned meats, fish, fruits, vegetables, beans, and soups, crackers, canned juices, protein or fruit bars, dry cereal or granola, peanut butter, dried fruit, canned or jarred baby food and formula and pet food
- Supply of bottled water - at least one gallon per person per day
- Portable, battery powered radio with extra batteries
- Flashlight with extra batteries
- First aid kit
- Telephone that works if the electricity is off
- Have any prescription drugs and nonprescription drugs on hand, including pain relievers, stomach remedies, cough and cold medicines, fluids with electrolytes, anti-diarrheal medication and vitamins
- Have extra supplies of cleansing agent/soap or alcohol-based (80-95%) hand wash
- Tissues, toilet paper, disposable diapers, garbage bags
- Manual can opener
Family Emergency Health Information Sheet
Make a Family Communications Plan
Gather all family phone numbers and write them down. Decide how and where to meet in an emergency. Your family may not be together when disaster strikes. During a major disaster local phone systems and cell phone systems may be jammed.
Plan how you will contact one another and what you will do.
- Establish an out-of-town contact, perhaps a relative or friend.
- Make sure family members have each other's contact numbers at work, school, daycare, etc.
- Keep phone numbers up-to-date.
Emergency Contacts Form