Your Emergency Kit
A container full of emergency supplies can make all the difference during a catastrophe
Having an emergency kit for times of disaster will help you keep your family safe. You don't have to gather your emergency supplies in one day, but as you collect items, place them in a large waterproof container and store everything near a door or in your garage. This way, you'll have easy access to your emergency survival kit if you have to seek shelter quickly.
Even if you find yourself heading for a shelter house during a catastrophe, bring your emergency kit along to make sure you have everything you need to make your family as comfortable as possible.
Start with these items for your emergency kit:
Food
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A three-day supply of drinking water (a gallon of water per person per
day is a good rule of thumb)
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Food you don't have to refrigerate or cook
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A can opener
- Dishes
Shelter and tools
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A wrench and other basic tools
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Flashlights or portable lanterns
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Work gloves
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Sanitation supplies such as toilet paper, soap, garbage bags and
disinfectant
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Dry clothing
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Baby items, such as bottles and diapers
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Fresh batteries
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Blankets
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Extra car and house keys
- Pet food, toys and dishes
Health and safety
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First aid supplies
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Prescription medications
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Extra eyeglasses or contact lens solution
- Medicine
Entertainment and news
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A crank- or battery-powered radio
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Books, magazines
- Family games and crafts
Paperwork
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Copies of your credit card and driver's license
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Cash
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A map of your area
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Important documents, including your insurance policies
- A list of area hotels
For even more tips on how to build an emergency survival kit, head to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) website. You’ll find a 200-page brochure covering everything you need to know about disaster preparedness. (It's a PDF, so make sure you have Adobe® Reader® to view it.)
