How to Protect Yourself During a Flu Pandemic

You may not be able to prevent a flu pandemic from happening, but there are many things you can do to protect yourself if a pandemic does occur:

Stay healthy

• Keep yourself in shape by eating nutritious foods, not smoking, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep.
• Get a flu shot every fall so you’re protected against seasonal flu.

Learn how to avoid getting or spreading infectious disease

• Cough or sneeze into a tissue or your sleeve.
• Wash your hands often with warm soap and water.
• If you don’t have access to soap and water, use an alcohol-based, waterless hand cleaner.

Make a family emergency plan

• Know how you will get in touch with each other in an emergency and where you will meet.
• Keep a list of emergency phone numbers in a handy place. Store emergency numbers in your cell phones under "ICE" ("In Case of Emergency"), so someone else can call your emergency numbers if you’re not able to.
• Know what routes you will use if you have to evacuate.

Create an emergency kit

• Make sure your kit has everything you’ll need to get by if you have to remain at home for a period of time - up to two weeks, if possible. Be sure to include:
  • A supply of drinking water (one gallon per person per day) and food that won’t spoil (like canned meats and vegetables).
  • ­Basic equipment like a flashlight, battery-operated radio, batteries, and a can opener.
  • ­Personal care products including soap, toiletries, waterless hand cleaner, extra glasses or contact lenses, prescription and over-the-counter drugs, tissues and toilet paper, and any special items for infants or people with special health needs.
  • ­A good first aid kit.
  • ­Kitchen utensils and dishwashing supplies.
  • ­Extra clothing and bedding.
  • ­Other useful items like a notebook and pen, whistle, money and credit cards, extra car keys, medical and insurance information, and copies of other important documents.
  • ­Games, reading material, and other entertainment items. You might need to stay home for a while during a pandemic.
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  • ­To learn more about being prepared, visit, ReadyPA website

Learn about the history of flu pandemics.