The Department of Homeland Security, and the City of Livonia, recommends that you prepare a disaster kit to sustain you for at least three days (72 hours). Your disaster preparedness kit includes the following:

• Water – one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days for drinking and sanitation.
• Food – at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food.
• Battery powered (with extra batteries) or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with alert.
• Battery powered (with extra batteries) or hand crank flashlight.
• First aid kit containing medicines
• Whistle to signal for help
• Dust mask to help filter contaminated air
• Plastic sheeting, towel for sealing off the bottom of the door and duct tape to shelter-in-place.
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation.
• Extra clothes/blankets
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
• Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food)
• Copies of important documents
• Cash
• Local maps
• Any other necessities
• Make necessary arrangements ahead of time if you or a family member has special needs.

Keep enough supplies in your home to meet your needs for at least three days. Assemble a disaster preparedness kit with items you may need in an evacuation. Store these supplies in sturdy, easy-to-carry containers such as backpacks, duffle bags or covered trash containers. Keep important family documents in a waterproof container. Keep a smaller kit in the trunk of your car.

Locate the main electric fuse box, water service main and natural gas main. Learn how and when to turn these utilities off. Teach all responsible family members. Keep necessary tools near gas and water shut-off valves.

Remember, turn of the utilities only if you suspect the lines are damage or if you are instructed to do so.

Meet with your family and discuss why you need to prepare for a disaster.

• Pick two places to meet: 1) right outside your home in case of a sudden emergency, like a fire; 2) Outside your neighborhood in case you can’t return home. Everyone must know the address and phone number.
• Ask an out-of-state friend to be your “family contact.” Family members should call this person and tell them where they are if they can’t get home. Everyone must know the address and phone number.
• Discuss what to do in an evacuation.
• Plan how to take care of your pets.

Remember: “Failing to Prepare is Preparing to Fail”

Hometown Security and Emergency Preparedness
The City of Livonia office of Hometown Security and Emergency Preparedness provides for the coordination, planning, training, response, recovery and mitigation for emergencies and/or disasters that may affect the City of Livonia.

Important Emergency Preparedness Links
Department of Homeland Security