build your emergency kit

If you're going to do anything, you gotta do this: build an emergency kit. The Federal Government's Ready.gov recommendations on a proper emergency kit are a great place to start. But throughout this website are additional ideas on what should be considered as a piece of your emergency kit.

Part of the problem with preparing for disaster, is that the range of potential disasters is so vast: floods, terrorist attacks, water quality issues, fires, nuclear, etc. Because you can't prepare for all them, too many people don't prepare for any of them, which is a huge mistake. 

A basic emergency supply kit could include the following recommended items:

• Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
• Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both - $20 at Amazon
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• First aid kit - $20 at Amazon
• Whistle to signal for help - $6 at Amazon
• Dust mask to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place - $9 at Amazon
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities - $6 at Amazon
• Manual can opener for food - $6 Swing Away at Amazon
• Local maps
• Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger - $22 at Amazon

The items above are the absolute bare necessities, include the following as well:

• Prescription medications and glasses
• Infant formula and diapers
• Pet food and extra water for your pet
• Cash or traveler's checks and change
• Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container. 
• Emergency reference material such as a first aid book or free information from this web site. 
• Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person. Consider additional bedding if you live in a cold-weather climate.
• Complete change of clothing including a long sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes. Consider additional clothing if you live in a cold-weather climate.
• Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper – When diluted, nine parts water to one part bleach, bleach can be used as a disinfectant. Or in an emergency, you can use it to treat water by using 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water. Do not use scented, color safe or bleaches with added cleaners.
• Fire extinguisher
• Matches in a waterproof container - $3 at Amazon
• Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
• Mess kits, paper cups, plates, paper towels and plastic utensils
• Paper and pencil
• Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children - $3 for UNO at Amazon

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​Download the checklist here.