Effective community emergency preparedness begins in the home through personal and family emergency preparedness and planning. Homes that are not prepared to weather a disaster are not prepared to contribute to community preparedness. Below are a few simple steps that each home and family should take to prepare themselves for a disaster.
72-Hour Emergency Kit
Your 72-Hour Emergency Kit should be individually tailored to meet the basic survival needs of your family for three days to a week. Most families prefer to store their emergency supplies in one location that is relatively safe, yet easily accessible if evacuation is required. Items may be stored in a 32-gallon trash can, suitcase, duffle bag, footlocker, or individual pack.
Emergency supplies should include the following:
Emergency Kit
- Battery powered radio or TV
- First aid kit and manual
- Sleeping bags
- Blankets (wool & thermal)
- Manual can opener
- Essential medications
- Waterproof/Windproof matches
- Emergency candles
- Charcoal/Propane grill
- Water storage (1 gallon / person / day)
- Purification tablets
- Utility Knife
- Flashlight
- Extra eyeglasses/lenses
- Extra clothing
- Extra batteries
- Fire extinguishers
- Extra wood for fireplace
Suggested nonperishable food items: Ready-to-eat goods in unbreakable containers, canned meats, juice, fruits & vegetables, powered milk, infant care foods, crackers, peanut butter, freeze dried food.
Sanitation Kit
- Plastic bucket w/ tightly fitted lid
- Plastic bags & ties
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Improvised toilet seat
- Paper cups & plates
- Personal toiletries
- Soap
- Disinfectant
- Baby supplies (diapers, wipes, etc.)
- Shovel
- Toilet paper
- Aluminum foil
- Paper towels
- Personal & feminine hygienic needs
- Soap
- Plastic utensils
Other Emergency Needs
- Pen and paper
- Money
- Address and phone numbers
- Work gloves
- Basic tools
Standard First Aid Kit
- First Aid Manual
- Aspirin or Pain Relievers
- Laxatives
- Rubbing Alcohol
- Diarrhea Medicine
- Petroleum Jelly
- Soap
- Salt
- Gauze
- Band-aid
- Triangular Bandage (36″x36″x52″)
- Elastic Bandage
- Cotton Balls
- Cotton Swabs
- Safety Pins
- Scissors
- Thermometer
- Sanitary Napkins (Pressure Dressing)
- Disposable Diapers (Dressing/ Splint/Padding)
- Micropore Adhesive
- Paper Tape
- Matches
- Needles
- Tweezers
- Small Splints, Popsicle Sticks
- Heavy String
- Syrup of Ipecac
- Individual Medical Needs
- Baking Soda (1/2 tsp. soda + 1 tsp. salt + 1 qt. water for shock)
Car Survival Kit
- Always Maintain at Least 1/2 Tank of Gas
- First Aid Kit & Manual
- Class ABC Fire Extinguisher
- Radio & Batteries
- Non-Perishable Food Stored in Coffee Can
- Bottled Water
- Bag of Sand, Shovel & Tools
- Blankets or Sleeping Bags
- Short Rubber Hose for Siphoning
- Sundry Kit,
- Paper & Pencil
- Map
- Tissues
- Pre-moistened Towels
- Plastic Bags
- Essential Medications
- Flashlights & Batteries
- Reflectors & Flares
- Waterproof Matches & Candles
- Jumper Cables
Copies of All Legal Papers
- Marriage License
- House Mortgage
- Vacation Home / Property Ownership
- Automotive Ownership
- Motor Home Ownership
- Wills
- Jewelry Appraisals
- Drivers Licenses
- Trailers, Snowmobiles, Boat Ownerships
- Insurance Policies
- Bank Accounts
Meeting Places
Your family should be prepared to meet again in designated areas after being separated by a disaster. Choose two places:
- Somewhere located a safe distance from you home in case of fire.
- A place outside your neighborhood in case you cannot return home.
