Here is a list of supplies you might need in an emergency situation, in addition to your water purifier, emergency radio, flashlights, and protective masks.

You might not need some of these things if you are indoors. But what if you have to leave? The idea that your family could be quarantined or trapped in an area where there is looting and civil unrest is especially troubling. Everything from an Anthrax attack to a big fire could cause you to have to leave.

Mend any holes in your home security, too.

This list has many suggestions, but of course every family has different needs and wants, not to mention different age groups. Just be sure that you have separate 'to-go' bags which contain absolute necessities, and of course, water and your water purifier.  Many of these items are already in your house, it's just a matter of organization. You will need safety masks for any trips outside during a pandemic. They would also be needed after an earthquake and some other emergencies. Sadly, firefighters, responders, and clean-up personnel from 9-11 are still dying from lung disease. Thousands are sick from this, and thousands more are sick from breathing the air after Katrina.

The air quality after hurricanes, tornadoes, and earthquakes is terrible. The air is a nasty nightmare soup of debris, dust, radon and methane gas from broken sewer lines, and other toxins.

Having protective masks could be important, and save your lungs or life.

The List:

*Coleman lanterns with fuel & mantles
*Coleman fuel Also can be used as emergency gasoline. About $4.50 per gallon in a sealed container.
*Items for self protection
*Good locks on doors and windows
*Water containers
*Gasoline containers
*Hatchet or Axe

*Wound closure strips
*Gauze and tape
*Band aids
*Betadine or Hibiclens to wash injuries
*Anesthetic, like Lanacaine or Solarcaine
*Vitamins
*Imodium (generic is fine and cheaper)
*Tylenol or Ibuprofen
*Theraflu or similar
*Vitamin C, Ester-C, or Emergen-C (food supplement when citrus is in short supply, good for immune system)
*Extra bottles or packages of all of your regular prescriptions, B.C. pills
*Contact lens solution
*Antibiotic ointment
*Thermometer
*Supplies for babies, toddlers, and older folks.

 *You need cash in small bills hidden in the house, if you possibly can. If the electricity is down, the ATM's will be down, and ATM's are manually filled with money by workers. As contagion spreads, banks will be closed along with other businesses. Also, banks will be harbors for infection due to the degree of money handling.

*Gas in cars, always. (Ask the people trying to escape hurricane Rita. Can you imagine being trapped on the road for days, in a huge traffic jam, no food and no water. Some had babies and the elderly with them.)

*Non-electric can opener (Not having this would be really bad)

*Clorox, plain kind
*Dishwashing detergent
*Small scrubbie
*Paper Towels
*Toilet paper, a very important item
*Tissues

*Matches
*Long-snout type lighters
*Candles
*Portable heater
*Emergency lighting
*Camp stove & fuel
*Games, playing cards, craft supplies, hobby supplies, free word games and other games off the net

*Containers, including at least one 5 gallon or similar bucket (emergency potty and many other uses)
*Plastic bags, different sizes, including large ones, many uses
*Duct tape and sheet plastic
*Scissors
*Disposable plates, forks, spoons, hot and cold cups
*Knives
*Hand beater, non-electric, like in the old days (many uses including mixing dry milk)
*Ziplock bags
*Aluminum foil

*Extra set of car keys
*Sleeping bags or plenty of blankets
*Sturdy shoes
*Glasses, sunglasses
*Clothes pins
*Clothes line rope and other rope (multiple uses)
*Surgical type gloves
*Work gloves
*A little shovel (what if the potty doesn't work.. and other uses)
*A small saw, tools or toolkit
*Non-electric clock or watch
*Batteries
*Mylar type emergency blankets, roll mylar insulation from a home center (good over windows, too)

*Sunscreen
*Purell or generic alcohol gel hand cleaner (very important). GermX @ many stores, Members Mark Brand @Sams
*Nail brush
*Wipes or baby wipes, refills are usually cheaper (get several kinds, brands smell differently)
*Bug repellent, skin type
*Insect killers, flying insect type also
*Shaving supplies
*Nail clippers
*Toothpaste, mouthwash, dental floss
*Tampons or other sanitary needs
*Shampoo
*Soap
*No-rinse face wash, like Cetaphil (generic OK)

*Mop bucket with wringer to use as a washing machine (Dollar Stores, Home Depot, home stores, discount store) and a cheap plunger to use as a clothes agitator. Works great!
*Maps, atlas
*Compass
*Metal garbage can to burn trash. If you can find an old one with holes in it, even better. Home Depot, Lowes, hardware stores. If you need it to draft better, you can knock a few holes around the sides.
*Paper and pen
*Magnifier
*A Sharpie type waterproof marker
*Note paper
*Photocopies of important documents such as birth certificates, drivers' licenses and so on for the entire family. Put in a waterproof bag.
*A cell phone charger, if you have a phone. Even when phone service was available, many Katrina survivors could not call out because their phones were dead and there was no power. When phone service is bad, small text messages can sometimes get through.
*A corded phone, they don't need electricity like a cordless phone
*Camping toilet, or perhaps your family has a bedside potty stored.
*Generator (nice to have, but remember, there may be limited or no gasoline)
*Solar panels and battery system (expensive)
*Oil lamps and pure lamp oil
*Firewood
*Charcoal

*Pet food and supplies (Pet birds, kept indoors, are NO risk to you)

You may need to think about a back-up heating source. Most folks in cold areas have a plan for this already, since they can easily find themselves in a dangerous situation during winter storms.

Of course, you'll add to this list depending on your preferences. Good luck with your preps, and please send these lists to others.

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