If you are confined to your home or must evacuate as a result of severe weather or disaster, an emergency supplies kit can be useful. Keep it readily accessible for safety, comfort, and convenience. All household members should know where it is stored. Replace food, water, medical supplies, and batteries as needed. Place the items you need during an emergency in an easy-to-carry container.

Assembling the Kit

We recommend the following items when assembling your supplies kit:

For safety/survival

• 3-day supply of water (1 gallon/person/day) in clean, marked plastic containers
• 3-day supply of non-perishable, nutritious food not requiring cooking. Some examples are peanut butter, canned or dried meats, canned or dried fruits and vegetables, powdered drink mix, powdered or canned milk. Don’t forget some eating utensils and a manual can opener
• Needed prescription medicines
• Extra eyeglasses or other needed eye wear
• Extra car keys
• Baby supplies (formula, diapers)
• Pet food
• Standard first aid kit
• ABC fire extinguisher
• Battery-operated radio, flashlights, and plenty of extra batteries
• Tools, rope, wrench (including gas shut-off wrench), pliers, hammer, nails

For comfort

• Change of clothing
• Sturdy footwear for each person
• Bedding for each person
• Sanitary supplies (toilet paper, feminine supplies)

For convenience

• Cash or credit card
• Important family documents
• Medical insurance identification
• Contact list of friends/family, etc.
• Paper and pencil
• Reading material

For the car – assemble a smaller kit and store in vehicle

• Blanket/sleeping bag
• Flares and reflective triangles
• Jumper cables
• Map
• Rock salt or sand (during winter conditions)
• Shovel
• Tire repair/replacement supplies