Emergency Supply Kit

The following list of emergency supply kit items are intended to sustain your and your family’s basic needs during an emergency. Store the items in waterproof bags and place them in easy-to-carry containers, such as duffel bags or unused trash bags. Be sure to store your kits where all family members can easily locate and retrieve them. Consider putting together individual kits for each person in the family.

1. Water
2. Food
3. Can Opener
4. Medications
5. First Aid Supplies
6. Flashlight
7. Radio
8. Clothes
9. Personal Care/Hygiene Items
10. Important Documents

Water

Set aside one gallon per person, per day for drinking, hygiene, and cleaning as needed. Purchased bottled water has an indefinite shelf life as long as the seal has not been broken.

If uncertain about the purity of water, treat with one of the following methods:

• Boil at a rolling boil for 3-5 minutes. Let cool before drinking. To improve the taste, pour from one clean container to another.
• Use regular, unscented chlorine bleach products that are suitable for disinfection and sanitization as indicated on the label. Follow the directions from the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s Emergency Disinfection of Drinking Water page.

Food

Keep a two-week supply of non-perishable food per person. Good examples include electrolyte drinks; ready-to-eat canned meat, soup, fruit, and vegetables (with pull-top openings if possible); canned or boxed juices; powdered milk; crackers; granola; and trail mix.

When gathering food for your emergency supply kits, take into consideration the special dietary needs for individuals, particularly infants, toddlers, the sick, and the elderly. Also remember to:

• Pack foods that require no refrigeration, preparation, or cooking.
• Label and date all foods. Consider the shelf life of items and rotate items out when necessary.
• Routinely inspect all foods for spoilage.

Can Opener

Make sure your can opener is manual and does not require power to operate. Be sure you are familiar with the use of a manual can opener, and that you or someone in your group has the required hand strength to operate one.

Medications

Discuss the possibility of stockpiling one month’s worth of any prescription medications you are taking with your doctor. You should also include non-prescription medications such as fever/pain relievers, antacids, anti-diarrheal medications, etc.

Take note of expiration dates and rotate out any expired medications in your kit.

If you have any medication that requires refrigeration, include a cooler in your emergency kit.

First Aid Supplies

Keep the basics on hand, including bandages of various sizes, antiseptic, gloves, protective masks, and a thermometer. You can assemble your own kit or buy a pre-made kit at most pharmacies or grocery stores.

Flashlight

A bright flashlight is a necessity when the power is out. Consider a lantern-style light for hands-free use. Avoid candles as they can be fire hazards. Be sure to include extra batteries in your kit and rotate stockpiled batteries according to their shelf-life.

Radio

Have a portable, battery-powered radio available to keep up with news, weather, and any alerts related to the emergency. Consider a crank-operated or solar-powered option; otherwise, have extra batteries on hand and rotate stockpiled batteries according to their shelf-life. Buy your radio in advance as they may be in short supply as emergencies unfold.

Clothes

In addition to extra clothing, socks, and shoes, consider packing blankets, rain gear, and outerwear for inclement weather. Evaluate size every six months or so and replace as necessary.

Personal Care/Hygiene Items

Include the basics such as soap, toilet paper, toothbrush and toothpaste, hand sanitizer, and cleaning supplies. If you have room, entertainment options such as cards and books should also be included. Allow children to include comfort items such as blankets or stuffed animals.

Important Documents

Make copies of driver’s licenses, photo IDs, social security cards, birth certificates, deeds, titles, mortgage papers, insurance policies, bank account numbers, etc. Store them in a waterproof bag or container. You can also keep electronic copies of these documents on your phone or on a flash drive/memory stick, along with photos of your house for insurance purposes.

As you’re preparing your kit to cover your family’s basic needs in an emergency, don’t forget to prepare a kit for your pets as well. See what you should pack for them at Essential Items for Your Emergency Supply Kit for Pets