Being prepared means having your own food, water, and other supplies to last for at least 72 hours. After an emergency, you may need to survive on your own for several days. Electricity, gas, water, sewage treatment, and telephones may be off for days or even a week, or longer. Local officials and relief workers will be on the scene after a disaster but they cannot reach everyone immediately. You could get help in hours or it might take days.
Your supplies kit should contain items to help you manage during these outages. A disaster supplies kit is a collection of basic items your household may need in the event of an emergency.
Basic Disaster Kit
To assemble your kit, store items in airtight plastic bags and put your entire disaster supplies kit in one or two easy-to-carry containers such as plastic bins or a duffel bag. Each member of your household should have his or her own Emergency Kit.
A basic emergency supply kit should include the following recommended items:
- Water - one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation Ready.gov - Water
- Food - at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food Recommended Food Items
- Battery-powered or hand crank radio and an NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert
- Flashlight
- First aid kit
- Extra batteries
- Whistle to signal for help
- Dust mask to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter in place
- Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
- Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities Ready.gov - Safety Skills
- Manual can opener for food
- Local maps
- Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery
Additional Emergency Supplies
Consider adding the following items to your emergency supply kit based on your individual needs:
- Prescription medications
- Non-prescription medications such as pain relievers, anti-diarrhea medication, antacids, or laxatives
- Glasses and contact lens solution
- Infant formula, bottles, diapers, wipes, diaper rash cream
- Pet food and extra water for your pet
- Cash or traveler's checks (remember, ATMs will not work if there is a power outage)
- Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification, and bank account records saved electronically or in a waterproof, portable container Ready.gov - Financial Preparedness and Safeguard Critical Documents
- List of doctor(s) and phone numbers
- Recent family photo for identification purposes - make sure everyone's face can be seen clearly
- Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person
- Hat & work gloves
- Complete change of clothing appropriate for your climate and sturdy shoes
- Rain gear
- Pocketknife
- Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper to disinfect water
- Fire extinguisher
- Matches in a waterproof container
- Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
- Mess kits, paper cups, plates, paper towels, and plastic utensils
- Paper and pencil
- Books, games, puzzles, or other activities for children
Maintaining Your Kit
After assembling your kit remember to maintain it so it’s ready when needed:
- Keep canned food in a cool, dry place
- Store boxed food in tightly closed plastic or metal containers
- Replace expired items as needed
- Re-think your needs every year and update your kit as your family’s needs change.
Kit Storage Locations
Since you do not know where you will be when an emergency occurs, prepare supplies for home, work, and vehicles.
Home: Keep this kit in a designated place and have it ready in case you have to leave your home quickly. Make sure all family members know where the kit is kept.
Work: Be prepared to shelter at work for at least 24 hours. Your work kit should include food, water, and other necessities like medicines, as well as comfortable walking shoes, stored in a “grab and go” case.
Vehicle: In case you are stranded, keep a kit of emergency supplies in your car Car Emergency Kit The above-listed items are a suggested list of items. You can do a search to find other suggested items to help you customize your kit to best meet your needs and the needs of your family.
To learn more and/or to print a checklist of what items you need for your Emergency Kit, click on the links below: