Emergency Kit
What Would You Need to Live for 72 Hours On Your Own?
OK, Let’s Cover the Basics
- Water – there’s NOTHING more important! You’ll need one gallon of water per person, per day. And you should plan for at least three days. So if there are 5 people in your family, that’s 5 gallons of water per day for three days, equaling 15 gallon of water at the ready!
- Food. Choose something nonperishable that’s easy to store and carry, like canned goods or freeze-dried food. Don’t forget a can opener!
- Flashlight – don’t forget extra batteries!
- Battery-powered or hand-crank radio – NOAA Weather is best.
- First aid kit – see specifics below
- Medications – any prescription drugs you or your family need to live, plus over-the-counter items you use like aspirin or allergy meds. Don’t forget an extra pair of glasses if you wear corrective lenses!
- Multi-purpose tool and duct tape
- Sanitation and personal hygiene items – don’t forget a roll of toilet paper and hand sanitizer.
- Copies of personal documents – birth certificate, Social Security card, driver’s license, deed/lease to home, passports, insurance policies plus list of medications. Put all of these in a plastic ziplock bag.
- Cell phone with chargers
- Family and emergency contact information – and keep this not only in your mobile phone, but in a separate book. If you have no ability to charge a dead mobile phone, you’ll need those contacts written down and accessible.
- Cash – if there are widespread power outages, ATMs don’t work, and stores won’t be able to process debit and credit cards. In a widespread emergency, cash is still king!
- Emergency blanket – light-weight foil blankets are easiest to pack and carry
- Map(s) of the area
3 Kits Are Better Than 1
Everyone needs a survival kit. In California, families need to be prepared for wildfire and earthquake emergencies in particular. It’s a good idea to not only pack an emergency kit that you keep at home, but to have one at work, and one in your car.
Remember to Pack for Your Pets
- WATER!
- Collar
- Leash
- ID/License
- Food
- Carrier
- Bowl
Other Expert Resources
There are as many survival kit items as there are people who create survival kits. Here are a few other experts and their advice on items to include:
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