None of us know when or where disaster will strike, but we can be ready, resilient, and safe during emergencies by preparing ourselves and our families. Here are some basic items to put into your emergency kit. Consider specialty items you or a family member may also require.
Make a Plan - Build A Kit - Get Involved
Home Emergency Kit
- Water - one gallon per person, per day
- Nonperishable Food - 3-day supply, canned goods, energy bars, per person
- Flashlight - and extra batteries
- Radio - battery-powered, have extra batteries on hand
- First Aid Kit - bandages, antiseptic, ointment, gloves, gauze
- Tools - pliers, whistle - to signal for help, can opener for canned goods
- Hygiene Basics - toilet paper, soap, hand sanitizer, garbage for sanitation
- Documents - copies of social security cards, insurance info, prescription lists, phone numbers
- Clothes - one set for each person, including sturdy shoes
- Money - cash or traveler’s checks
Vehicle Emergency Go-Kit
Keep a vehicle emergency kit in your car in case you are in your vehicle when an emergency occurs, or you find yourself stranded. This kit should include items like these:
- a shovel
- windshield scraper and small broom
- flashlight with extra batteries
- battery-powered radio
- water
- snack foods, including energy bars
- matches and small candles
- extra hats, socks, and mittens
- First aid kit with a pocket knife
- Necessary medications
- blankets or sleeping bag
- tow chain or rope
- road salt, sand, or cat litter for traction
- booster cables
- emergency flares and reflectors
- fluorescent distress flag and whistle to attract attention
- Cell phone adapter to plug into lighter
Survival tips:
- Gas, keep half-full: Prepare your vehicle by making sure you keep your gas tank at least half full.
- Be easy to find: Tell someone where you are going and the route you will take.
- If stuck: Tie a florescent or brightly colored flag (from your kit) on your antenna or hang it out the window. At night, keep your dome light on. Rescue crews can see a small glow at a distance. To reduce battery drain, use emergency flashers only if you hear approaching vehicles. If you're with someone else, make sure at least one person is awake and keeping watch for help at all times.
- Stay in your vehicle: Walking in a storm can be very dangerous. You might become lost or exhausted. Your vehicle is a good shelter.
- Avoid Overexertion: Shoveling snow or pushing your car takes a lot of effort in storm conditions. Don't risk a heart attack or injury. That work can also make you hot and sweaty. Wet clothing loses insulation value, making you susceptible to hypothermia.
- Fresh Air: It's better to be cold and awake than comfortably warm and sleepy. Snow can plug your vehicle's exhaust system and cause deadly carbon monoxide gas to enter your car. Only run the engine for 10 minutes an hour and make sure the exhaust pipe is free of snow. Keeping a window open a crack while running the engine is also a good idea.
- Don't expect to be comfortable: You want to survive until you're found.
- More tips on planning for winter storms.
Preparedness Tips
- Define what survival means to you. It could mean retaining all your fingers and toes, or continuing to live in luxury.
- Make a to-do list, start with the simple things you can do to get prepared. Build on it over time.
- Decide whether you want a "one item use kit" or a kit that can be reused. A reusable kit can become part of a lifestyle, turning many "disasters" into inconveniences or even adventures.
- Keep extra batteries for small devices (ie. hearing aids, medical devices, cell phones) and consider obtaining a generator for home use and carrying a charger when away from home, especially when loss of power may jeopardize health or safety.
- Did you know that in a disaster a text message may be able to get through when a phone call won’t?
- Have children? What additional items would you need for them in an evacuation? Small toy or other item to keep them occupied?
- Create networks in your neighborhood, with relatives, friends, and co-workers who will help each other in an emergency.
First Aid Kit, here's some ideas to consider beyond bandages....
- Adhesive bandages, various sizes
- Elastic bandage
- Sterile gauze pads
- Cleansing hand wipes or waterless, alcohol-based hand sanitizer
- Antiseptic wipes
- Large medical grade, non-latex gloves
- Adhesive tape
- Anti-bacterial ointment
- Cold pack
- Scissors
- Tweezers
- CPR breathing barrier, such as a face shield
- Non-Prescription and Prescription Drugs
- Aspirin or non-aspirin pain reliever
- Antacid (for stomach upset)
- Syrup of Ipecac (to induce vomiting if advised by the Poison Control Ctr)
- Laxative
- Prescription drugs, along with copies of the prescriptions in case they need to be replaced
More preparedness tips
- A battery powered NOAA Weather radio will alert you with a loud wail of an impending storm. This wail wakes most people if they are sleeping.
- If you take medications, maintain an adequate supply and keep a list of prescriptions you take in your purse or wallet.
- A cotton bandana is a handy item to have. It can be used as a face mask, a washcloth, and many other things.
- Include an extra set of sturdy shoes.
- Have you ever tried to open a can of food without a can opener? It can be done, but more than likely results in some sort of cut.
- A blanket is a good idea. Often disasters involve water, snow, or mud.
- Avoid over-packing your kit, unless you have a spare Winnebago. A kit that is too large or too heavy is many times just as useless as no kit at all.
- Try out your kit! Take it camping, use it often, and replace items as they are used.
- As you prepare, tailor your plans and supplies to your specific daily living needs and responsibilities.
