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How to Prepare an Emergency Kit

Anthony Cuomo • November 25, 2014

No matter where you live in the country, you can experience an emergency. Whether that is a hurricane, a tornado, flooding, wildfire or a blizzard, every household should have an emergency kit. This kit is what will get you through a few days without electricity and running water, or it might be taken with you to a shelter or another location where you can be safe. If you do not currently have an emergency kit ready for the next emergency, get it assembled as soon as possible. Remember that you do not always have advance warning when it comes to emergencies! Here are some tips on packing up an emergency kit:

Water is the most important thing
You can live for several days, or even longer if necessary, without food, but since our bodies are primarily composed of water, you won’t last very long without it. In some emergencies, you may lose safe, running water. For this reason, it’s important to have water available. The recommendation is to stockpile at least three gallons of water per person, as this should last about three days. If it is very hot where you live, or you are feeding an infant baby formula, you’ll need more than this. Purchasing gallons of water is the best way to ensure that it is uncontaminated and that it will stay safe for several months.

Gather enough food for three days
Remember that you might not have a way to cook or cool food, so you’ll need to choose items that are non-perishable. Beef jerky, peanut butter (served on crackers or bread) and canned beans are good sources of protein. Canned or jarred fruits and vegetables are also good, and will add moisture to your diet to help keep you hydrated. Go ahead and put in some canned pastas and other convenience foods, but try to keep most of what you pack fairly healthy and not too salty. Don’t forget to include a manual can opener, because if the electricity goes out, the automatic can opener won’t work! Also, if you are feeding a baby, include baby foods, a can of formula and extra water for mixing.

Pack any necessary medications
If you or anyone in your family take prescription medications, keep extra doses in your emergency kit. Also include over-the-counter medicines that you might need, such as a painkiller, a fever reducer, something for diarrhea, cough drops and antibiotic ointment for cuts and scrapes. Check the expiration dates on these periodically and replace as needed.

Gather up some hygiene supplies
If you need to leave your home, you’ll want to bring items that make it possible to stay clean and comfortable. A bar of soap, shampoo, toothpaste and extra toothbrushes, and deodorant are good things to have on hand. If you are a woman or have a teenage daughter, don’t forget feminine hygiene supplies. Include several days’ worth of diapers, wipes and other baby needs if you have an infant or toddler.

Include extra clothing, towels and blankets
Pack up a few outfits, including socks and underwear, for each person. Towels are a good item to include as well, and these can double as blankets if necessary. Even if you live in a warm climate or it’s summertime, include a few blankets, because you might need them if you have to stay at a shelter or if you end up having to camp outside once you evacuate your home.

Make copies of important paperwork
Make copies of your and your kids’ birth certificates, their vaccination records and everyone’s passports, if you have them. This will make it easier if you have to replace items lost during a disaster.

Don’t forget cash
During a disaster, it’s possible that ATMs will be down, and you might not even be able to pay for gas or groceries with your credit card. Consider how much money it would cost you to fill up your gas tank and spend a couple of nights in a hotel, and try to keep that much cash in an easy-to-access area in your home.

Taking the time to pack an emergency kit is well worth the investment, because you never know when a disaster will strike. Having these items available and ready to go allows you to leave quickly and take care of everyone’s needs should the unimaginable happen. With any luck, you won’t need the items at all, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry!

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