An emergency kit is essential to prepare for any disaster, including an earthquake, flood, or fire. Ready.gov recommends that every kit include these basics:
- Water (one gallon per person for three days).
- Food (nonperishable, enough for three days).
- Can opener (if the above includes canned food).
- Radio (battery powered or hand cranked).
- Headlamp or flashlight.
- Batteries for all electronic items in your kit.
- First aid kit.
- Whistle.
- N95 respirator masks.
- Moist towelettes, garbage bags, and plastic ties (for personal sanitation).
- Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities.
- Local maps.
Depending on your circumstances, you may also want to pack:
- Medically necessary prescriptions (three days’ worth).
- Copies of vital personal documents, including ID cards that verify your address.
- Cash.
- Sleeping bag or blanket for each family member.
- Waterproof tarp.
- Clothes (one change per person, appropriate for wherever you live).
- Sturdy shoes such as a pair of retired sneakers.
- Water-purifying tablets or chlorine bleach (with a medicine dropper) to disinfect water.
- Waterproof matches in a waterproof container.
- Fire extinguisher.
- Personal hygiene items (including soap, hand sanitizer, and feminine care products).
- Other medications (aspirin, diarrhea remedies, etc.).
- Spare eyeglasses or contact lenses and solution.
- If you have a baby: formula, bottles, diapers, and wipes.
- If you have older kids: books, puzzles, games, and snacks.
- If you have a pet: food (three days’ worth), water, food bowl, medicine, blanket, copies of important paperwork (pet adoption contract, microchip number, and vaccination and medical records), and a recent photo of you and Fluffy, should you need to prove ownership.