Family Emergency Preparedness 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. This is to assist in keeping items dry and keeping unwanted bugs out of these items.
A basic emergency supply kit could include the following recommended items:
- Water – at least one gallon per person per day, stored in plastic bottles.
- Food – Nonperishable, ready-to-eat goods that won’t make you thirsty.
- Specialty food for babies, people with special needs and pets.
- Manual can opener.
- Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert.
- Flashlight with extra batteries.
- First aid kit.
- Whistle (to signal for help).
- Up-to-date medications needed by each family member (and a list of them).
- Money – small bills and change.
- At least one complete change of clothes and shoes for each person.
- Sleeping bags or blankets.
- Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties (for personal sanitation).
- Personal hygiene supplies – soap, toothpaste, toilet paper, feminine products.
- Utility knife, small tools, plastic sheeting and tape (to shelter in place) and rope.
- Matches stored in a waterproof container.
- Dust masks to filter contaminated air.
- Masks (for everyone ages 2 and above), soap, hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes to disinfect surfaces.
- Prescription medications. About half of all Americans take a prescription medicine every day. An emergency can make it difficult for them to refill their prescription or to find an open pharmacy. Organize and protect your prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, and vitamins to prepare for an emergency.
- Non-prescription medications such as pain relievers, anti-diarrhea medication, antacids or laxatives.
- Paper and pencil or pen.
- Maps and compass.
- Copies of important documents – social security cards, birth certificates, insurance papers, deeds, records of valuables & pet shot records.
- Recent family and pet photos.
- Toys and games for children.
- Local maps.
- Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery and list of important numbers.
- Vinyl or latex gloves.
Learn about hazards
- Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in your home and test them regularly, Replace batteries every year.
- Learn what to do for other types of hazards, such as floods, fires, severe winter weather, disease epidemics and terrorism. Learn how and when to shelter-in-place.
Learn evacuation routes
- Create two evacuation routes for each room in your home in case of fire.
- Ask local authorities about any emergency evacuation routes in your area.
Establish two family meeting spots
- Decide on place to meet after a home fire and another in the event you cannot get back to your neighborhood.
Important phone numbers
- Pick an emergency contact; an out-of-town relative or friend. Teach all family members to contact that person if they cannot reach each other. Give this information to your child’s school.
Know how and when to shut off utilities
- Ask water, power and gas companies how to safely turn off utilities. Teach your family and never turn gas back on yourself.
Pets
- Make sure pets wear ID tags. Keep recent photos and immunization records of pets. Plan for pet care in case you have to leave home without your pets.
Review and practice your plans
- Update information as needed. Hold drills regularly.