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June 02, 2023
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Emergency Kit

Below are tips for making an emergency kit for your home and your car. Much more information can be found on the internet, including specialized lists such as for child care providers, persons with disabilities or pet owners. If you cannot afford to make multiple kits, start by making a kit that you can use in both your car and at your home.

Emergency KitPrepare yourself for a minimum of 3 days, longer if possible. Experts now recommend everyone be prepared to survive on their own for a minimum of 7-10 days.

If possible, store items in a cool, dark location, but be sure to store your supplies in a place that will be accessible during most disasters. You can choose to keep all your supplies together in a large container, such as a garbage can with wheels.  If it’s more convenient, or if you don’t have room for a large container, try several smaller containers with like items stored together.

Remember to rotate your supplies to keep them fresh.  Children will out grow clothing, medications will expire, and some food items will become stale over time.

Store what you eat.  During a disaster is not a good time to try new menu items. Storing what you already use makes it much easier to rotate food items back to your pantry when they need to be eaten, and to restock with fresh items. You can also purchase small amounts of emergency meals for your family to try, and then decide if you like them enough to store them. Many camping and chain stores have freeze-dried and ready-to-eat meals, or you can make your own. The internet contains a wealth of information about how to make your own emergency food ranging from camping and backpacking items to ‘emergency rations.’

Start with what you already have.  If you’re a camper or backpacker, you’ve got a head start.  Your tent, cook stove and other gear can double as emergency supplies.

Start small:  Each time you go to the grocery store, Wal-mart, Costco or other stores, pick up something for your kit. Make a list of the supplies you need to purchase and then break it out over several months or a year. After you have stored enough food, water and supplies for 72 hours, start preparing for a week, then a month, then six months, then a year.

For Your Home

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

For Your Car

In any season, it is a good practice to never let the gas tank of one’s vehicle get below half full. By always having at least a half full gas tank, you should be able to get at least 100 to 150 miles away without stopping if an emergency evacuation becomes necessary. Also, make sure that your vehicle remains in good mechanical condition. A mechanical failure threatens the safety not only the vehicle owner, but also of all the other people on the road behind who are behind a disabled vehicle.

Below is a list of items you may want to keep in your car in case of emergencies:

Blankets
Bottled water
Bungee cords
Cell phone charger
Clothing (jacket, boots etc.)
Duct tape
Electrical repair kit (i.e. fuses, wire, tape etc.)
Emergency contact info
Fire Extinguisher
First Aid Kit
Flares or warning reflectors
Flashlight and headlamp –LED if possible because they last longer and take less energy
Folding shovel
Food/MREs/ High calorie-protein bars
Funnel
Gloves
Glow Sticks
Hand Cleaner
Hand Sanitizer
Hose clamps
Ice scraper
Insect repellant
Jumper cables
Light Sticks
Maps, local and topo
Paper towels
Pocket knife of multi-tool
Poncho
Trash Bags
Quart of oil, brake and transmission fluid
Rags
Rope
Siphon and empty gas can
“Stop Leak” Tire Inflation
Tarp
Tissues/toilet paper/wipes
Tool Kit
Tow Strap

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