Types of items to include:
Food
Use canned foods for easy storage and long shelf life. Choose ready to eat canned meats, fruits and vegetables that your family likes. Try to pick items that require no refrigeration, preparation or cooking and little or no water.
Also recommended are canned or dried juice mixes, powdered or canned milk, high energy food (peanut butter, jelly, crackers, unsalted nuts and trail mix); cereals, pasta and rice.
Remember to eat at least one balanced meal each day. It is also a good idea to pack comfort foods such as candy, cookies or other special treats.
Store foods in a single or family meal-size package. During a disaster, you may not have a way to refrigerate leftovers.
Don’t forget your pets! Store canned and dry pet food along with an extra collar and leash. Be sure to include food and water bowls.
Add a manual can opener, cooking and eating utensils, and basic food seasonings.
Water
Store a three day supply of water for each family member and pet. One gallon per person per day is recommended for drinking, cooking and washing. Write the date on the water containers and replace them as needed.
Learn how to remove water from your hot water heater in case you need it. This is a good reason your water heater should be strapped to your wall to ensure it doesn’t tip over during an earthquake!) Be sure to turn off the gas or electricity to the tank before draining off the water for emergency use.
Never drink water from a waterbed. This water contains an algaecide that can make you sick. Use this water for non-food purposes only such as washing clothes or general cleaning.
Purify water by boiling it for 10 minutes or by adding drops of household bleach containing 5.25% hypochlorite. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends 16 drops of bleach per gallon of water. Water purification tablets or a filter system such as those designed for campers and backpackers also work.
Other items:
First aid kit
Blankets
Battery-powered clock
Candles
Flashlights
Battery-powered radio
Extra batteries
Matches
Money
List of insurance policy numbers
Trash bags
Medications
Copy of prescriptions
Extra eye glasses
Hearing aid batteries
Cooking stove with fuel
Cooking pots and pans
Heavy gloves
Duct tape
Sturdy shoes for each family member
Ax, shovel, broom
Pliers, wrench, pry bar
Fire extinguisher
Household bleach and medicine dropper
Vitamins
First aid kit
Dust masks
Plastic sheeting
Whistle to signal for help
Books, games and other activities
Cleaning supplies
Map of area (for identifying evacuation routes or shelter locations)
Diapers, baby formula
Vaccination records
Hygiene products
Warm set of clothes for each family member