Winter is coming so now is the best time to make sure you are prepared for an emergency with a kit to hold the essentials. Pack your kit into an easy-to-carry and find bag or container (like a neon-colored backpack) and place it where you know you will have access to it. Keep another smaller one in the trunk of your car for emergencies that occur when you’re on the road.
The whole family should work together to pack the emergency kits, so that everyone knows what’s in them and understands why they might need it. Check your emergency kits every six months to ensure that nothing has expired like batteries or food.
Here’s a comprehensive list of items to pack.
Essentials
- Water: one gallon per person per day
- Food: non-perishable, easy-to-prepare or no-prep items
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
- First aid kit
- Medications
- Sanitation and hygiene products
- Copies of important documents in a waterproof container
- Multi-purpose tool with can opener, screwdriver, knife blade, wrench and pliers
- Cell phone with charger
- Cash
- Phone numbers for emergency services and family members
- Emergency blanket
- Map
- Whistle
- Cloth to filter bad air (could be an old t-shirt)
- Plastic sheeting and duct tape for shelter
Additional items for families
- Diapers, bottles and formula
- Special medical equipment (hearing aids, glasses, syringes, etc.)
- Pet supplies
If you live in a cold climate
- Jacket or coat
- Full change of clothes
- Long pants
- Long sleeve shirt
- Sturdy shoes
- Hat
- Gloves
- Sleeping bag or warm blanket
Other items to consider
- Reference materials (first aid, survival skills, etc.)
- Rain gear
- Two-way radios
- Spare keys
- Mess kits, cups, plates and plastic utensils
- Paper towels
- Fire extinguisher
- Tent
- Compass
- Lighter or matches in a waterproof container
- Signal flare
- Paper, pencil
- Disinfectant
- Medicine dropper
- Surgical masks
- Disposable gloves
- Towel
- Work gloves
- Tools/supplies for securing the home
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