My Emergency Supply Kit – FOR HOME

This is a general list of suggested common items that you should keep handy at home in an emergency supply kit or nearby. Everyone may have slightly different needs but those on this list have been found through experience to be the most useful. Keep them in your preparedness bag or a bin or other easily accessible location. If you don’t keep a kit, know where they are on short notice.

Drinking water – If clean water is not available for an extended period, try to keep about a gallon of drinkable water (bottled) per person per day on hand for drinking, cooking or basic hygiene. Juices or soft drinks are ok for drinking in limited quantities. Avoid alcohol.

Extra non-perishable food – In an emergency, power may be out for an extended period. Try to keep a couple days’ worth of canned or packaged foods that don’t require refrigeration in your pantry. Soups, stews, canned pasta, etc. are good to have. Use it periodically to refresh your stock.

Flashlight and spare batteries –Extended power outages are the most common emergency. Being able to see at night – especially in a damaged area - is critically important for safety. Also, you may need to get into unlit spaces for inspection or repairs. Make sure everyone in a household has at least one with extra batteries.

Whistle - If you should ever become trapped in a damaged building or car or isolated in any way and need to attract help immediately, keep a small whistle on hand in your kit.

Tool kit – Being able to make small repairs or clear damages during an emergency could be critical. Always keep a basic set of household tools close by including screwdrivers (flat and phillps, claw hammer, adjustable wrench, saw, clamps, crow bar.

First Aid kit - It’s always good to have a proper First Aid Kit on hand for any emergency or event. If you have one, make sure it gets refreshed with new supplies every year.

N95 Dust Masks or Respirators – If a flood or other disaster should cause damage that leaves mold or other toxic dust in a home, a dust mask or respirator may help keep you breathing safely while your are recovering. (The N95 respirator masks are not approved for chemicals or gases in the air, such as carbon monoxide, and will not protect you from them. If you smell a strong chemical odor, you should leave the area right away.)

Plastic garbage bags – A roll of large plastic garbage bags can serve a multitude of uses including gathering belongings, debris clean up, waterproof cover, poncho or even serve as an emergency toilet.

Extra Shoes and work gloves - Many people go barefoot at home. Yet even minor damages can result in dangerous debris or broken glass both inside and outside the home. Keep an extra set of sturdy shoes or boots on hand. Work gloves are for use for moving broken or rough materials safely. Winter gloves may keep your hands warm but may tear easily when moving debris.

Battery powered radio- During any kind of emergency, staying informed is essential. Power, cable (including internet) services may be down for an extended time. A portable, battery powered radio can keep you up to date and give weather forecasts.