A collection of essential items that your family may require during or after an emergency is known as an emergency kit. Majority of these items are readily available in your home, and it is crucial to assemble them in a single location. Ensure that all members of your family are aware of where the kit is stored.
It is important to prepare for an emergency by packing adequate water, food, and supplies in your kit to sustain each individual and pet for three to seven days. Following a disaster, you may be isolated for a prolonged period of time. Being prepared can increase your chances of survival and provide relief to emergency responders who are assisting those in need.
What items should you include in your Emergency Preparedness Kit?
Basic Supplies
Incorporate these articles to prevent the transmission of the COVID-19 virus.
- Face coverings / masks
- Hand sanitizer
- Sanitizing wipes
Besides these customary articles:
- Water – 1 gallon per person per day for 3 to 7 days
- Food – non-perishable and canned food supply for 3 to 7 days
- Battery-powered or hand crank radio and National oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio with extra batteries
- Cell phone with charger
- First aid kit and first aid book
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- Manual can opener for food
- Wrench or pliers to turn off water
- Blanket or sleeping bag – 1 per person
- Prescription medications and glasses
- Seasonal change of clothing, including sturdy shoes
- Toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, feminine supplies
- Extra house and car keys
- Important documents – insurance policies, copy of driver’s license, Social Security card, bank account records
- Fire extinguisher
- Cash and change
- Books, games or cards
Unique Needs
You and your family members may have special needs. You need to plan for those needs when making your emergency supply kit.
Intended for infants:
- Formula
- Bottles
- Diapers
- Baby wipes
- Pacifier
- Soap/Baby powder
- Clothing
- Blankets
- Canned food and juices
Intended for individuals who have reached the age of maturity.
- Contact lenses and supplies
- Extra eye glasses
- Dentures
For individuals with disabilities who require accommodations:
- Container for hearing aid/cochlear implant processor (to keep dry)
- Extra batteries for hearing aid/choclear implant
- Communication card explaining best way to communicate with you
First Aid
It is advisable to keep essential first aid materials available for aiding any wounded loved ones during a crisis. It is crucial to have knowledge of treating small wounds, and enrolling in a first aid course can prove beneficial. The mere presence of a first aid package can aid in preventing infections, halt any bleeding and facilitate proper sanitization methods.
- Two pairs of latex or other germ-free gloves (if you are allergic to latex)
- Germ-free bandages to stop bleeding
- Cleansing agent/soap and antibiotic towels
- Antibiotic cream
- Burn cream
- Adhesive bandages in a variety of sizes
- Eye wash solution to flush the eyes
- Thermometer
- Prescription medications you take every day such as insulin, heart medicine and asthma inhalers. You should periodically rotate medicines to account for expiration dates.
- Prescribed medical supplies such as glucose and blood pressure monitoring equipment and supplies
- Scissors
- Tweezers
- Tube of petroleum jelly or other lubricant
Over-the-counter drugs:
- Aspirin or non-aspirin pain reliever
- Anti-diarrhea medication
- Antacid
- Syrup of Ipecac (use to induce vomiting if advised by the Poison Control Center)
- Laxative
- Potassium Iodide (for those who live near nuclear plants; use only as ordered by the State Health Director)
Pets
It is necessary to prepare an emergency supplies kit for your pet and store it together with the family kit. It’s important to ensure that every individual in the household is aware of the location of the kit. The following items should be included in your pet’s emergency kit.
- Canned or dry pet food
- Water for 3 to 7 days
- Food dishes
- Muzzle, collar and leash
- Immunization records
- Identification tag (should contain pet name and phone number)
- Current photos of your pets in case they become lost
- Medicine your pet requires
- Pet beds and toys
- Pet carrier
- Proper fitting muzzle
Household Supplies and Equipment
- One gallon liquid chlorine bleach.
- Battery-powered radio or TV.
- Flashlights – one for each room of the house.
- Lantern LED
- Glow sticks
- Extra fresh batteries for radio, TV, lantern and flashlights.
- Whistle
- Gasoline (if you plan to use a generator outdoors).
- Propane fuel (if you plan to use a grill or camp stove outdoors).
- Charcoal (if you plan to use a barbecue grill outdoors).
- Disposable tableware, including paper towels and napkins.
- Manual can opener, utensils and sterno for heating.
- Plastic bags – zip sealing, garbage.
- Fire extinguisher (small canister A-B-C type).
- Food thermometer – able to measure temperature from 0 to 220 degrees Fahrenheit
Tools
- Rope (for rescue, tow, tying down property)
- Shovel
- Hammer and nails
- Multi-Tool with pliers
- 4 in 1 Emergency Tool (with gas and water shut off)
- Reflective Vests
- Work gloves
- Eye Goggles
- Utility Tape; electrical tape
- Clean-up supplies
- Broom and Mop
- Buckets (5 gal min, with lids)
- N-95 particulate masks
- Disinfecting spray
- Paper towels, rags (to clean with)
- Rubber gloves, scrub brush, sponges
- Garbage bags with ties
Additional Emergency Supplies
- A change of clothing, rain gear and sturdy shoes for each family member. Sleeping bags, bedding or blankets for each family member.
- An extra pair of glasses or contact lenses and solution (be sure to check expiration dates).
- Pet’s medication, leashes, collars, ID tags, blanket, bed, carrier, toys.
- Document Holder with identification, credit cards/traveler’s checks/cash, and photocopies of important family documents including home insurance information.
- Prescription medications
- Non-prescription medications such as pain relievers, anti-diarrhea medication, antacids or laxatives
- Glasses and contact lense solution
- Infant formula, bottles, diapers, wipes, diaper rash cream
- Pet food and extra water for your pet
- Cash or traveler’s checks
- Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records saved electronically or in a waterproof, portable container
- Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person
- Complete change of clothing appropriate for your climate and sturdy shoes
- 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
Don’t forget to keep your kit in proper condition after putting it together so that it can be readily used when required. Mark a reminder on your calendar every six months, preferably around daylight savings time, to:
- 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.
Supply Kit Storage Locations
It is important to prepare emergency supplies for your home, workplace and vehicles as you cannot predict where you will be during an emergency situation.
- 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: Severe weather can move in quickly and strand motorists. The best preparation for severe winter weather including strong winds and heavy rain requires planning ahead. Almost everyone carries a cell phone – keep it charged up. And at a minimum keep a blanket, radio, flashlight, batteries, a first aid kit, and a three to seven day supply of food and water in your vehicles. Don’t forget to tell friends or relatives that you’re travelling, what route you’re taking, and when you expect to arrive. This information could save your life if you get stuck.In case you are stranded, keep a kit of emergency supplies in your car.
