Disaster Supply Kit

Preparing Your Family For A Disaster

Whether it's a short-term power outage or a disaster or emergency of greater magnitude, your family's level of preparedness will determine how you 'weather the storm'. Basic planning involves talking with your family members about potential emergencies and how you should handle them. One piece of the puzzle involves preparing a disaster supply kit. A small one should be kept in the trunk of each car, for times when you may become stranded. A more extensive kit may be kept at home. Pre-made kits are available in many stores, such as Walmart and Target, with many more choices available online. The following items are a good start on kits that can be tailored to your family's particular needs.

Supply Kit

Items your kit should include:

  • Blankets or sleeping bag for each family member
  • Credit card and cash
  • Entertainment such as games and books
  • First-aid kit and first-aid manual
  • Flashlight and extra batteries
  • Food: at least a three-day supply (when possible, select foods that require no refrigeration, preparation, cooking and little or no water)
  • Kitchen accessories 
    • Aluminum foil
    • Can of cooking fuel
    • Household liquid bleach to treat drinking water
    • Manual can opener
    • Mess kits or paper cups,
    • Pepper
    • Plastic resealable bags
    • Plates and disposable utensils
    • Salt
    • Sugar
  • Map of the area and phone numbers of places you could go
  • Matches in a waterproof container
  • One complete change of clothing and footwear for each family member, including sturdy shoes or work boots; raingear, hat and gloves; thermal underwear; sunglasses
  • Personal identification
  • Portable, battery powered radio or television and extra batteries
  • Sanitation and hygiene items:
    • Comb and Brush
    • Deodorant
    • Disinfectant
    • Feminine Supplies
    • Hand Sanitizer
    • Household Chlorine Bleach
    • Lip Balm
    • Liquid Detergent
    • Medium Sized Plastic Bucket With Tight Lid
    • Plastic Garbage Bags (Heavy Duty)
    • Shampoo
    • Small Shovel for Digging an Expedient Latrine
    • Soap
    • Toilet Paper
    • Toothbrushes
    • Toothpaste
    • Towelettes
  • Signal flare
  • Special needs (diapers, formula, hearing aid batteries, spare wheelchair battery, spare eyeglasses, etc.)
  • Supply of prescription medications
  • Three gallons of water per person (one-half gallon per day for drinking and one-half for cooking and sanitation)
  • Three-day supply of nonperishable food
  • Tools and other accessories: 
    • A-B-C Type Fire Extinguisher
    • Compass
    • Emergency Preparedness Manual
    • Medicine Dropper
    • Needles and Thread
    • Paper
    • Pencil
    • Plastic Sheeting
    • Pliers
    • Shovels and Other Useful Tools
    • Shut-Off Wrench
    • Tape
    • Tube Tent
    • Whistle

Important Documents to Have Handy

  • bank account numbers
  • credit card account numbers and companies
  • family records (birth, marriage, death certificates)
  • important telephone numbers
  • inventory of valuable household goods
  • passports, social security cards, immunization records
  • will, insurance policies, contracts, deeds, stocks and bonds

Other Disaster Prep

Don't forget to:

  • Ask a physician or pharmacists about precautions in storing your medicines, especially prescription medications that may be hard to obtain during a disaster
  • Keep items in airtight plastic bags to keep them from damage or spoiling
  • Keep your supplies dry and viable by updating them when needed
  • Replace seasonal items (certain clothing, etc.) and those that expire (batteries), at least once a year
  • Replace stored food and water every six months
  • Use an easy-to-carry container for supplies you would most likely carry during an evacuation