Why You NEED
an Emergency Kit

If help takes hours, or even days to arrive, could you and your family survive an emergency?

One of the things we can all but guarantee is that if there is some type of emergency or disaster in one of our communities, emergency services will be overwhelmed. Your ability to take care of yourself and your family for at least 72 hours helps to free up those essential emergency services for people who truly cannot help themselves.

A prepared family not only helps themselves, they help entire communities.

 

Recommended Items to Include in a
Basic Emergency Supply Kit:

  • Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
  • Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
  • Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
  • Flashlight and extra batteries
  • First Aid Kit
  • Whistle to signal for help
  • Dust mask, to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
  • Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
  • Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
  • Can opener for food
  • Local maps

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional Items to Consider:

  • Prescription medications and glasses
  • Infant formula and diapers
  • Pet food and extra water for your pet
  • Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container
  • Cash or traveler's checks and change
  • Emergency reference material such as a first aid book
  • Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person
  • Complete change of clothing including a long sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes
  • Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Matches in a waterproof container
  • Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
  • Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils, paper towels
  • Paper and pencil
  • Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children

 

Click here for a printer friendly version of what to include in your
Emergency Supply Kit

Information courtesy of American Red Cross
and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.