Your family emergency supply kit will include a number of items, including:

Important Documents: Birth certificates, Social Security cards, list of current medications, insurance card, etc.

Current Medications: Keep your medications in one location so you can grab them with your document folder as you head to shelter.

Water: Store water in plastic containers. You will need one gallon of water per person, per day. (2 quarts for drinking, and 2 quarts for food preparation and sanitation.) Keep at least a 3-day supply and change your supply every 90 days.

Food: Store at least a 3-day supply of non-perishable food. You'll want items that require no refrigeration, little preparation and little or no water. Good things to include are

  • canned goods (meats, vegetables and fruits)
  • canned juices, milk and soup
  • high-energy foods like peanut butter, jelly, granola bars, trail mix, and crackers
  • comfort foods like cookies, hard candy, cereal, instant coffee and tea bags
  • pet food

Clothing & Bedding: Plan for one complete change of clothing and footwear for each person in your household. Others include:

  • sturdy shoes or work boots
  • rain gear
  • blankets and sleeping bags
  • hat and gloves
  • thermal underwear

Tools & Supplies: Keeping tools and other supplies together will come in handy during an emergency. These items should be included:

  • battery operated television or radio
  • extra batteries
  • flashlight and batteries
  • cash or traveler's checks and change
  • cellular phone
  • non-electric can opener
  • utility knife
  • matches in a waterproof container
  • pliers and a shut-off wrench for utilities
  • tape, paper and pencil
  • paper or plastic eating utensils
  • plastic sheeting
  • needle and thread
  • toilet paper
  • soap and liquid detergent
  • personal hygiene items

First Aid Kit: In case of minor injuries, a good first aid kit should include:

  • sterile adhesive bandages
  • 2" sterile gauze pads (4 to 6) and 4" sterile gauze pads (4 to 6)
  • adhesive tape
  • triangular bandages (3)
  • 2" sterile roller bandages (3) and 3" sterile roller bandages (4)
  • scissors, tweezers, needles and safety pins
  • moist towelettes
  • antiseptic spray
  • thermometer
  • petroleum jelly
  • sunscreen
  • latex gloves (2 pair)

Kids

Being prepared for an emergency isn't just about staying safe during a storm or a disaster. It's also about how to stay comfortable, clean, fed, and healthy afterwards—when a storm or disaster may have knocked out electricity.

Emergency Supplies Kit Checklist (Kids)

Pets

If you have a plan in place for you and your pets, you will likely encounter less difficulty, stress and worry when you need to make a decision during an emergency. If local officials ask you to evacuate, that means your pet should evacuate too. If you leave your pets behind, they may end up lost, injured or worse.

Just as you do with your family’s emergency supply kit, think first about the basics for survival, such as food and water. Have two kits, one larger kit if you are sheltering in place and one lightweight version for if you need to evacuate. Review your kits regularly to ensure that their contents, especially foods and medicines, are fresh.

Here are some items you may want to include in an emergency kit for your pet:

  • Food. Keep several days’ supply of food in an airtight, waterproof container.
  • Water. Store a water bowl and several days’ supply of water.
  • Medicine. Keep an extra supply of the medicine your pet takes on a regular basis in a waterproof container.
  • First aid kit. Talk to your veterinarian about what is most appropriate for your pet’s emergency medical needs.
  • Collar with ID tag and a harness or leash. Include a backup leash, collar and ID tag. Have copies of your pet’s registration information and other relevant documents in a waterproof container and available electronically.
  • Traveling bag, crate or sturdy carrier, ideally one for each pet.
  • Grooming items. Pet shampoo, conditioner and other items, in case your pet needs some cleaning up.
  • Sanitation needs. Include pet litter and litter box (if appropriate), newspapers, paper towels, plastic trash bags and household chlorine bleach to provide for your pet’s sanitation needs.
  • A picture of you and your pet together. If you become separated from your pet during an emergency, a picture of you and your pet together will help you document ownership and allow others to assist you in identifying your pet.
  • Familiar items. Put favorite toys, treats or bedding in your kit. Familiar items can help reduce stress for your pet.