Preparation, planning, and practice are essential to safety and survival in the event of an emergency. Every house and family should have a three-day supply of the fundamentals for survival neatly packaged in a home emergency kit.
Every second counts so having an emergency kit prepared will help you protect your loved ones in the event that disaster strikes. The contents of your kit may vary to suit your family’s specific needs but here are the essentials:
- Water. For consumption and sanitation, each person needs one gallon of water per day. Your kit should contain at least three days of water per person.
- Food. Be sure to include a three-day supply of non-perishable food for each person. Click here for information on emergency food choices and storage from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
- Medications. Ensure that they are properly stored and rotated, and always remember to check expiration dates.
- Copies of documents such as medical information, proper identification, deeds and leases, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies, and your family’s emergency plan contact sheet.
- Manual can opener for canned goods.
- Portable radio. A hand cranked and/or battery powered NOAA Weather Radio with extra batteries is the best choice.
- Flashlights with extra batteries, a rescue whistle and a signal mirror.
- Cell phones with standard and solar chargers.
- First-aid kit. Click here for information from the American Red Cross on how to create a well-stocked first-aid kit.
- Dust masks, heavy tape, and plastic sheeting in case of airborne contamination or a shelter-in-place order.
- Multi-tool or good locking pliers.
- Moist towelettes and toilet paper.
- Extra cash.
- Maps of the local area and a copy of your family’s emergency action plan. If you do not already have one, click here for help creating an emergency action plan.
To be as prepared as possible, your home emergency kit should have a minimum of a three-day supply of any consumable components. Medicines need to be stored properly and the expiration dates should be monitored consistently. Depending on the availability of accessible storage in your home as well as your family’s specific needs, you may want to add to or customize this home emergency kit checklist. Click here for additional tips on building, storing, and maintaining your home emergency kit from the Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA).
At Eaton & Berube, the safety of you and your loved ones is important to us. For additional safety tips and useful resources please subscribe to our blog or contact us.