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This checklist will help you to take steps to lessen the impact of a severe influenza pandemic on you and your family. Many of these steps are good advice to help you and your family during any disaster, like an earthquake or flood.

At home preparedness

Store water, food, and other essentials

Prepare to get by for at least a week on what you have at home. You may be unable to get to a store, or stores may not be open or may have limited supplies for weeks. Public services may also be disrupted, so prepare for outages in electricity, water, and garbage services. Keep extra supplies on hand (they can also be useful in other types of emergencies, such as power outages and natural disasters).

Examples of non-perishable food:

Canned meats, such as tuna, chicken, turkey, Vienna sausage

Canned beans, fruits, vegetables, soups

Protein or fruit bars

Dry cereal or granola

Dried fruit

Peanut butter and jelly

Nuts and trail mix

Crackers

Comfort food, including cookies, candy, instant coffee, tea bags

Canned juices

Bottled water

Baby formula and canned or jarred baby food

Examples of other emergency supplies:

Pet food, cat litter

Disposable diapers

Feminine supplies

Flashlight

Portable radio

Batteries for flashlights, radios, games, thermometers

Manual can opener

Plastic garbage bags

Tissues and toilet paper

Entertainment–games, crafts, books, movies, etc.

Supplies for persons with special needs–the elderly or disabled

Some extra cash

Make household emergency plans

Prepare for possible changes in healthcare. For example, medical advice and healthcare may be more difficult to obtain during a severe pandemic and healthcare providers and medical facilities may be overwhelmed. There may not be enough medical supplies, healthcare providers, and hospital beds for all persons who are ill.

Difficult decisions about who receives medical care and how much treatment can be administered will be necessary. Talk about these possibilities with your family and loved ones.

In a severe pandemic, you may be advised to stay away from others and from public places as much as possible. Plan to limit the number of trips you take to shop or run errands. Also, remember public transportation routes and times may be limited.

Think about how you would care for people in your family who have disabilities if support services are not available.

Decide who will take care of children if schools are closed.

For general preparedness, agree on a point of contact where all family members can check-in if you are separated during any emergency.

Store medical and health supplies

Get an extra supply of your regular prescription drugs. Ask your healthcare provider for a prescription. If your insurance will not agree to cover the extra supply, you may need to pay out-of-pocket. Keep health supplies and nonprescription drugs on hand.

Examples of medical and health supplies:

Prescribed medicines and supplies, such as glucose meters and blood-pressure monitoring equipment

Soap and water

Alcohol-based hand cleaner, such as Purell® or store-brand

Medicines for fever and pain, such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen

Diarrhea remedy, such as Pepto-Bismol® or Kaopectate® (not generally recommended for children)

Throat lozenges

Cough syrup containing Dextromethorphan

Thermometer(s)

Vitamins

Fluids with electrolytes, like Gatorade® and Pedialyte® (preferred for small children)

At work preparedness

Prepare to stay home.

Staying at home from work when you are sick is the most important thing you can do to protect others.





Staying at home from work when you are sick is the most important thing you can do to protect others. Know policies.

Ask your employer or union about sick leave and policies about absences, time off, and telecommuting.





Ask your employer or union about sick leave and policies about absences, time off, and telecommuting. Encourage planning.

Every business, organization and agency should have a plan for making sure essential work can get done if large numbers of employees are absent over many months. You may be asked to perform duties that are not typically part of your job.





Every business, organization and agency should have a plan for making sure essential work can get done if large numbers of employees are absent over many months. You may be asked to perform duties that are not typically part of your job. Explore other ways to get your work done.

Find ways to reduce personal contact, such as increased use of e-mails or phone conferences. Plan to work from home whenever possible.

Preparedness in your community

Know your neighbors.

Talk with family, friends, and neighbors to make sure everyone is prepared. Be ready to help neighbors who are elderly or have special needs if services they depend on are not available.





Talk with family, friends, and neighbors to make sure everyone is prepared. Be ready to help neighbors who are elderly or have special needs if services they depend on are not available. Know school policies.

Know policies about illness and being absent. Be prepared for school closures.





Know policies about illness and being absent. Be prepared for school closures. Volunteer with community groups.

Assist with planning for emergency response to disasters and pandemic influenza.

Prevent the spread of the virus