Step 2: Prepare a Kit
Prepare a kit for your home, car and at work.
For Your Home:
During an emergency, you may not be able to get food or water for days or weeks, and your electricity
may not be working. The following items should be part of your emergency kit and kept in a container that
can be easily carried if you need to leave home:
-
Water - families should set aside one gallon of water per person per day, to last three days.
- Canned or dried food - families should set aside a three-day supply of food per person. The food should
be nonperishable items that don’t need to be cooked, such as tuna and crackers. Remember to include a
manual can opener. If there’s an infant in the house, include formula and baby food.
- Battery-powered radio
- Flashlight
- Extra batteries for the radio and flashlight
- List of prescription medications
- First-aid kit
Tips:
- For power outages, consider adding a corded telephone to your emergency kit if you are using only cordless telephones in your home currently.
- Learn how to use text messaging on your cell phone, most text messages will be sent even when you do not have cellular signal to make a call.
- Never use a generator indoors and install carbon monoxide detectors throughout your home.
For Your Car:
Keep a small, portable emergency supply kit in your car at all times. You should include a gallon of
water, several cans of food, a manual can opener, blankets, sleeping bags, money, and first-aid supplies.
At Work:
Keep your own supply of fresh water and canned food, a flashlight, and battery-powered radio at your desk or
in your locker. Everyone should consider keeping a change of clothes, and a pair of strong, practical shoes or boots at work.
For Your Pets:
Make sure your pets have identification tags and up-to-date vaccinations. If you must leave home, bring
your pet with you, if possible. You can plan ahead by creating a supply kit for your pet that includes
extra food, water and medications. A carrier and leash will also be important. For cats, remember to include extra litter.
Disclaimer
