What Will You Need

What Will You Need?
In extreme situations resources may not be immediately available to you. Take action today and develop an emergency kit. Your emergency kit contains basic items you and your family may need if an emergency happens. Most of these items can be found around your home, and should be collected into one place before a disaster happens in case you need to evacuate at a moment’s notice. If you do not have these items, consider low‐cost sources in your community to purchase them ‐ such as your discount grocery store or retailer. Also, consider making additional purchases over time to increase your preparedness while making the kit affordable. Click here to download the Emergency Kit list.

Remember to check your kit on a regular basis. Some items in the kit can expire ‐ like canned food and bottled water. If you check your kit regularly, you can swap out these items with fresh supplies and use the canned goods for regular purposes, like including them in lunch or dinner.

+–Bottled Water

Your kit should contain at least one gallon of water, per person, per day. If you have pets, include additional water.

+–Non-perishable Food

Keep three days worth of non‐perishable food in your kit for each family member. Non‐perishable foods may include canned goods, peanut butter, dried fruit, or ready‐to‐eat meals purchased from a military surplus store. Remember to account for the needs of each family member, including dietary restrictions or food for infants.

+–NOAA Radio

Your NOAA weather radio is a continually broadcasting radio station that provides information on all emergencies. This includes broadcasting information on weather disasters that might impact your community as well as other types of disasters that might have already happened. These radios can be purchased at drug stores, major retailers, and on the internet. Your local office of emergency management may be able to help you program your radio. Don’t forget to include batteries for your radio, and remember to replace these batteries on a regular basis, such as at daylight savings.

+–Flashlight & Batteries

If the power goes it, it is not safe to use candles because candles are a fire hazard and there may be gas leaks which make flames unsafe. Keep a flashlight and batteries in your kit, and remember to replace these batteries on a regular basis, such as at daylight savings.

+–Personal Hygiene

This may include feminine supplies or other personal items like toothpaste or deodorant.

+–First Aid Kit

Your first aid kit can be used if you or someone in your family is hurt during an emergency. It is important that all family members know where it is, and how to use it. Make sure your kit includes the basics, such as sterile gloves, soap or antibiotic towelettes, ointment for burns, and aspirin. Full list of recommended supplies.

+–Whistle

If you are trapped after a disaster, a whistle can help you signal for help. This will help first responders know where you and will help keep you safer by limiting the amount of dust or pollutants in the air.

+–Manual Can Opener

Remember to keep a manual can opener in your kit for your non‐perishable canned goods. If the power is out, you cannot use an electronic can opener.

+–Copies of Important Documents

Keep copies of important family documents in a kit ‐ such as insurance policies, identification and bank account information. This should be kept in a waterproof container ‐ such as a ziplock bag ‐ to help protect the information.

+–Blanket/Towel

Keep warm blankets in your kit for each member of your family ‐ especially if you live in a cold climate. Include towels as well to help your family stay dry.

+–Change of Clothes

Keep a change of clothing for each family member in your kit. Include durable and comfortable shoes, long pants and a long sleeve shirt. If you live in a cold climate, consider adding additional warm clothing in the kit.

+–Durable Waterproof Container

Assemble all of your items in a durable waterproof or water safe container. This will allow you and your family to have everything you need in once place if you need to evacuate.

Calculate the amount of items your family will need with the Emergency Preparedness Supplies Calculator.

Other kits:
Vehicle Emergency Kit
Roadside emergencies can happen at any time and under any circumstances. Keep a kit of emergency supplies in your car in case you are stranded, or that you need to evacuate at a moment’s notice.

+–A basic car kit includes:

Food
Water
First aid supplies
Flares
Jumper cables

+–Additional items to include:

Cell phone and charger
Fire extinguisher
Warning light, hazard triangle or flares
Extra clothing, especially a blanket, hat and jacket in the winter
Auto-club card or roadside-assistance number (if you belong to an auto club or roadside-assistance program)
$20 in small bills and change
Pen and pad of paper
Jack and lug wrench, in case of a flat tire
Weather-proof flashlight
Gloves, hand cleaner and clean rags
Tire gauge
Help sign
Windshield scraper
Bag of cat litter (even if you don’t have a cat!)
Cat litter can provide traction on slick surfaces, specifically roads that are icy in the winter
Tools and supplies, such as fuses, wrenches, screwdrivers, wire cutters, a knife, and hose and repair kits can be helpful during an emergency, specifically if your car breaks down

Go Kit
A Go Kit should be easily accessible if you have to leave your home in a hurry, and each household member’s Go Kit should be packed in a sturdy, easy-to-carry container such as a backpack. Make sure it is ready to go at all times of the year and contains items suitable for the season.

+–The following should be a part of your Go Kit:

Food & Water
– Bottled water and non-perishable, ready-to-eat and lightweight foods such as energy or granola bars
Flashlight
– Hand crank model preferred or have extra batteries
Radio
– Hand crank model preferred or have extra batteries
Manual can opener if you have canned goods in your kit
Phone
– Wireless phone, fully charged
Documents
– Copies of important documents (insurance cards, photo IDs, proof of address) in waterproof, portable container like a zip lock bag
– Emergency Card: Complete your emergency contacts card right now!
– List of local, out-of-state, family and emergency contact information
Personal hygiene items
– Soap, feminine products, toothbrush, toothpaste, toilet paper, etc.
Whistle
First Aid Kit
Cash
An extra set of keys for your home and your car
Matches in a water proof container
Compact mess kits for eating and preparing meals
Paper, pencil and tape
Tarp, tent, or poncho for rain or inclement weather
A recent family photo for identification

Remember to account for your family’s special needs. This might include child care items for infants, family medications, and pet supplies. Keep a list of all medications taken by your household, dosages, and information regarding your physicians in your Go Kit.

For additional information on what you might need or what you might do if a disaster happens in your community, visit the following websites:

American Red Cross