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Below are tips for making an emergency kit for your home and your car. Much more information can be found on the internet, including specialized lists such as for child care providers, persons with disabilities or pet owners. If you cannot afford to make multiple kits, start by making a kit that you can use in both your car and at your home. Store what you eat. During a disaster is not a good time to try new menu items. Storing what you already use makes it much easier to rotate food items back to your pantry when they need to be eaten, and to restock with fresh items. You can also purchase small amounts of emergency meals for your family to try, and then decide if you like them enough to store them. Many camping and chain stores have freeze-dried and ready-to-eat meals, or you can make your own. The internet contains a wealth of information about how to make your own emergency food ranging from camping and backpacking items to ‘emergency rations.’
| For Your Home | For Your Car |
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Types of items to include:
Food:
Use canned foods for easy storage and long shelf life. Choose ready to eat canned meats, fruits and vegetables that your family likes. Try to pick items that require no refrigeration, preparation or cooking and little or no water.
Also recommended are canned or dried juice mixes, powdered or canned milk, high energy food (peanut butter, jelly, crackers, unsalted nuts and trail mix); cereals, pasta and rice. Remember to eat at least one balanced meal each day. It is also a good idea to pack comfort foods such as candy, cookies or other special treats.
Store foods in a single or family meal-size package. During a disaster, you may not have a way to refrigerate leftovers.
Don’t forget your pets! Store canned and dry pet food along with an extra collar and leash. Be sure to include food and water bowls.
Add a manual can opener, cooking and eating utensils, and basic food seasonings.
Water: Store a three day supply of water for each family member and pet. One gallon per person per day is recommended for drinking, cooking and washing. Write the date on the water containers and replace them as needed.
Learn how to remove water from your hot water heater in case you need it. (This is a good reason your water heater should be strapped to your wall to ensure it doesn’t tip over during an earthquake!) Be sure to turn off the gas or electricity to the tank before draining off the water for emergency use.
Never drink water from a waterbed. This water contains an algicide that can make you sick. Use this water for non-food purposes only such as washing clothes or general cleaning.
Purify water by boiling it for 10 minutes. Water purification tablets or a filter system such as those designed for campers and backpackers also work.
Other items to include: First aid kit Blankets Battery-powered clock Candles Flashlights Battery-powered radio Extra batteries Matches Money List of insurance policy numbers Trash bags Medications Copy of prescriptions Extra eye glasses Hearing aid batteries Cooking stove with fuel Cooking pots and pans Heavy gloves Duct tape Sturdy shoes for each family member Ax, shovel, broom Pliers, wrench, pry bar Fire extinguisher Household bleach and medicine dropper Vitamins First aid kit Dust masks Plastic sheeting Whistle to signal for help Books, games and other activities Cleaning supplies Map of area (for identifying evacuation routes or shelter locations) Diapers, baby formula Vaccination records Hygiene products Warm set of clothes for each family member |
In any season, it is a good practice to never let the gas tank of one’s vehicle get below half full. By always having at least a half full gas tank, you should be able to get at least 100 to 150 miles away without stopping if an emergency evacuation becomes necessary. Also, make sure that your vehicle remains in good mechanical condition. A mechanical failure threatens the safety not only the vehicle owner, but also of all the other people on the road behind who are behind a disabled vehicle.
Below is a list of items you may want to keep in your car in case of emergencies:
Blankets Bottled water Bungee cords Cell phone charger Clothing (jacket, boots etc.) Duct tape Electrical repair kit (i.e. fuses, wire, tape etc.) Emergency contact info Fire Extinguisher First Aid Kit Flares or warning reflectors Flashlight and headlamp –LED if possible because they last longer and take less energy Folding shovel Food/MREs/ High calorie-protein bars Funnel Gloves Glow Sticks Hand Cleaner Hand Sanitizer Hose clamps Ice scraper Insect repellant Jumper cables Light Sticks Maps, local and topo Paper towels Pocket knife of multi-tool Poncho Trash Bags Quart of oil, brake and transmission fluid Rags Rope Siphon and empty gas can “Stop Leak” Tire Inflation Tarp Tissues/toilet paper/wipes Tool Kit Tow Strap |
