Disaster Preparedness Checklist

The First Tennessee Area Agency on Aging and Disability (FTAAAD), in conjunction with the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) and other First Tennessee area service agencies, has put together a disaster preparedness guide specifically for Tennesseans age 60 and older. What follows is a checklist of items intended to cover three days of emergency conditions. (Three days is considered the minimum for which a person should be prepared.)

The items on the following list should be collected and stored together in a specific space. In an emergency, you may not have the time or the conditions to hunt for these things. Use a plastic trash container, a duffle bag, a backpack, or something similar with an ID tag attached.

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS CHECKLIST

Water: 1 gallon per person per day

Food: Non-perishable, high nutrition, no cooking required; include paper plates, cups, utensils 

Manual can opener

Flashlights: Include extra batteries and place flashlights in locations around your home (check to be sure batteries do not have expired dates)
    
Cash: Bills and coins
    
Battery-operated TV or radio (NOAA weather radio, if possible), include extra batteries (check dates for expiration)
    
Medications: Both prescription and non-prescription (10 day supply is recommended)
    
First Aid Kit: Include a First Aid Manual
    
Clothing: At least one change of clothing for everyone in your home, include sturdy shoes and gloves
    
Blankets or sleeping bags
    
Matches in a waterproof container (or waterproof matches)
    
Whistle to signal for help
    
Personal items: Eyeglasses or contact lenses and solution; hearing aid batteries; copies of important papers (ID cards, Social Security Number, insurance policies, including all healthcare policies, birth certificates, passports, etc.), comfort items such as toys and books, extra house and car keys

Tools: Wrench (to turn off gas or water at the main switch or valve – if gas to your home has been turned off, it may only be turned back on by a professional!), screwdriver, hammer, pliers, knife, duct tape, plastic sheeting, garbage bags and ties, fire extinguisher 

Sanitation/hygiene supplies: Toilet paper, paper towels, hand sanitizer, moist towelettes, garbage bags, feminine supplies, personal hygiene items, bleach, etc.

Map of the area: If you have to leave your home in an emergency, the roads you know best may be closed. You need to be able to find alternate routes.