Emergency kits can help to ensure that you and your family members have what you need to survive when disaster strikes.
Consider the types of things you would need if any of the following occurred:
- You had to evacuate your home and go to a shelter, hotel, or other temporary housing.
- You had to shelter-in-place and were not able to leave your home.
- The utility services to your home, including electricity, gas, and water, were cut off.
- Grocery stores and other businesses, including financial institutions, in your community were unable to open or were out of stock.
It is imperative that you assemble your kits well in advance of an emergency. When a disaster happens, you may have just minutes to grab your kit and go.
Disaster Supply Kit
A good Disaster Supply Kit will support every member of your household, including pets or service animals, for at least three days (72 hours) – and for even longer, if possible. You will have to tailor your kit to best suit your family.
Kits do not need to be expensive, nor do they require a very large amount of space. What is critical is that they be assembled and stored away from other daily-use items in order to prevent “kit raiding”—taking something from your emergency kit during non-disaster times because it’s the only one in the house.
The contents of your Disaster Supply Kit should closely match your anticipated needs. One of the easiest ways to make a kit is to use a checklist to help you think about your own situation.
Be sure to make an inventory for your kit, including expiration dates for its contents, and check from time to time to be sure your kit contains all of the necessary items.
Storing Your Kit
Store your kit in one or more plastic storage totes or containers that are clearly labeled.
Be sure that everyone in the family knows where the kit is. The kit should be stored in a convenient, climate-controlled location to avoid spoilage. Pay attention to expiration dates. Water should be replaced every six months, batteries every year, and food and medication according to expiration dates.
Go Kit/Go Inventory
A Go Kit is an emergency kit that ensures you have your essential items if you must leave your home. The Go Kit should be packed ahead of time and kept ready to go in the event you must quickly evacuate. It may include some very basic cooking supplies, foul weather gear (such as a raincoat), or even additional clothing and shoes for a longer stay away from home.
An alternative to the Go Kit is the “Go Inventory.” The Go Inventory is a checklist containing all of the items you will need to grab and quickly pack in the event that you must evacuate. To make your inventory, simply create a list of all the things you need and keep this list in an empty bag or suitcase you can use to pack them all in when the time comes.
For a list of items typically included in a Go Kit or Go Inventory, download the checklist.
Baby Emergency Kit
For parents, a primary concern in the early moments of a disaster will be the needs of their children. Our baby emergency kit accommodates the unique needs a family with young children may have.
Pet Emergency Kit
We encourage pet owners, including those with service animals or livestock, to get ready for all types of emergencies by creating an emergency plan for them. In our pet emergency kit, you’ll find everything you need to organize a disaster kit for your pets.
Car Emergency Kit
In the event you are stranded from your home during an emergency, ensure your car is stocked with the necessary items to keep you safe.
