Essential Emergency Kit Items

An emergency supply kit should include the following items:

• As much drinkable liquid (fruit and vegetable juices, soft drinks, etc.) as can be carried
• A battery powered radio and a flashlight (with extra batteries for each)
• A blanket or sleeping bag for each member of the family
• Bottled drinking water (one gallon per day per person with at least a three-day supply for each person in your household)
• Canned or sealed packaged foods that do not require refrigeration or cooking
• Cellphone
• Can opener
• Extra set of car keys and a credit card, cash or traveler’s checks
• Filtering masks or respirators with a rating of at least N95
• Fire extinguisher
• First-aid kit and manual
• Hammer, pliers and wrench
• Household laundry bleach (unscented)
• A list of family physicians
• Non-prescription drugs, including mild pain relievers and antiseptic
• One change of clothing and footwear per person
• Paper Towels and toilet paper
• Pocket knife
• Precut and uncut plastic bags (large and small)
• Signal flare and Whistle
• Soap and towels
• Special prescription medicines or foods needed by family members (such as insulin, heart medication, dietetic food and baby food - do not store in the kit for longs periods of time but at the last minute)
• Writing materials to take notes from television or radio broadcasts

Storing Additional Water

You can store additional water by filling bathtubs and sinks with water if an emergency is declared. Clean water is also available in toilet tanks, presuming chemicals and other cleaning agents are not used in the water tank.