How to Prepare a Family for Pandemic

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Step 1

Understand that there are always new emerging infectious diseases that pose a threat to the global community's health.
Step 2

Realize that some of these emerging diseases will eventually burn themselves out without causing many instances of disease in humans.
Step 3

Know that--without fail--one of these emerging infectious diseases will cause a pandemic in humans. Pandemics historically occur every 30 or 40 years. In the 20th century there were three pandemics: 1918 was severe; 1957 and 1968 were mild.
Step 4

Learn about H5N1, currently considered the emerging infectious disease most likely to start a pandemic. Around since the 1990s, it has been gradually mutating to cause widespread, deadly illness in birds and humans. Once it becomes easy to spread between humans, we will have a pandemic.
Step 5

Grasp that scientists cannot predict when H5N1 will cause an influenza pandemic. It could be next week, next month or next year. Or, it could fizzle out, and a different virus could start a pandemic. Regardless of the origin, the world is overdue for a pandemic.

Step 1

Calculate the total number of gallons of water you need during an influenza pandemic wave by multiplying 1) the number of people in your household by 2) the minimum number of days of water supply you need by 3) one gallon per person. This is the bare minimum water requirement for your household to cook, drink, and meet basic hygiene needs.
Step 2

Store or buy supplies to collect and treat the total number of gallons of water you calculated in Step 2. The American Red Cross website has directions on how to sterilize water during an emergency.
Step 3

Plan to use a combination of storage methods, including bottled water, storing water in your bathtubs, sinks and other containers, and using pool water for cleaning.
Step 4

Consider keeping one or more food grade 55 gallon drum(s) in your garage until you need to fill it. Electricity won't go out on Day 1, so you will have time to fill your containers.

Step 1

Realize that even if your local stores have food available, stockpiling food will allow you to avoid crowds at the peak of a pandemic wave and protect your family from becoming infected.
Step 2

Know that the federal government recommends you stockpile at least 14 days of food, but that it also acknowledges that waves are expected to last at least 90 days. As your time and budget allow, work up to 90 days of stockpiled food.
Step 3

Stockpile canned meats, soups, chili, crackers, peanut butter, beans, rice and other staples.
Step 4

Include items in your stockpile that can be used to aid in the convalescence of anyone who may become ill. Foods such as applesauce, baby food (bananas, in particular), crackers, broths and ginger ale are good.

Step 1

Speak candidly with your doctor about your concerns regarding an influenza pandemic. Ask for a prescription for a one- to three-month emergency supply of all prescription medications you or a household member need to maintain good health.
Step 2

Fill the prescriptions and rotate them along with your regular prescriptions. Use the doses that are slated to expire the soonest first, and save those with the longest expiration dates for use last.
Step 3

Check with your insurance provider to find out whether it will cover the cost of your emergency supply. If not, try to pay for it out of pocket if you can possibly afford to.
Step 4

Remember to stockpile over-the-counter medications that your household normally uses. Also include first aid supplies and things like oral rehydration solution and thermometers to care for those who become sick with pandemic influenza.

Step 1

Realize that if your central heat system, cooking stove and lighting require electricity to operate, you will be without heat, the ability to cook or light for some period of time.
Step 2

Consider installing a wood or propane stove (with a non-electric piezo starter). Stockpile wood and propane as space and finances allow.
Step 3

Buy one or more backup means for heating food and boiling water. Charcoal grills and propane grills are widely available. Store the appropriate fuel.
Step 4

Stockpile crank flashlights and a crank emergency radio.

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