Good
- Emergency pre-plan – where will you meet, how will you communicate
- Full tank of gas, always run on top half, you will have to fill it sometime
- Two 24-pack cases of bottled water
- Two 12-packs of Cliff energy bars
- Prescribed medications, EpiPens, inhalers, insulin & cooler, etc., know where they are and be sure to bring them
- Water purification tablets like these
- Flashlight or head lamp for each person
- Spare phone charging cord – Your car is your biggest charging power bank
- Documents Copies – birth certificate, State ID, marriage, Passport, contact lists, etc. Contained in a simple waterproof sleeve/baggie
- Toiletries – Comb, brush, toothbrush and paste, razor, soap, feminine supplies, lotion, Chapstick, sunscreen, bug repellent. Individualized for each person as practical
- First Aid Kit
- Hand wipes, hand sanitizer
- 30 Gallon Trash bags (you’d be surprised)
- Two 10’x10’ plastic drop cloths – one as a tarp, second as a rain cover
- Paracord – 50ft (Heavy-duty, lightweight rope) for everything!
- Pocket knife
- Light-weight work gloves
- Masks – (Yeah, I know)
- Matches (waterproof)
- Spigot Water Key – to gain access to commercial water spigots
- Local and state maps (paper)
- One beat-up but durable backpack each (You don’t want a Prada backpack at the shelter)
- Consider pet needs
Better
- All items included under Good
- Fleece Bag – This is a very light, zippered sleeping blanket
- 10’x10’ tarp and paracord for sleeping on or use as a rain cover. A tarp can be made into a floored tent
- Complete clothing change – durable, comfortable (Think overnight shelter comfortable)
- Comfortable shoes, in case you are stuck in heels or dress shoes
- Metal utensils and can opener, key chain p38
Betterer
- All items included under Good & Better
- Water filter: Berkey Sports Bottle, Life Straw, or similar
- 72 hr. Dehydrated food kit like this, times two
- Backpacking gas stove, and gas canister or mess kit, gas stove & cookware
- Upgraded fleece bag or similar
- FRS (Family Radio Service) two-way radios w/ NOAA weather channel
- Small Journal and pencil – This is also a good location for contact, account, logons, passwords, cc. etc.
- A portable charger power bank like this.
- Two-person tent
- Cash, $100 in small bills per traveler
- Collapsible Water Containers: Lightweight, foldable containers allow you to collect and store additional water as needed.
- Hand and Body Warmers: Chemical hand warmers or heating pads are small and effective.
- Battery-Powered or Hand-Crank Radio: To receive emergency broadcasts and updates.
- Multipurpose tool
Assembling and Maintaining Your Kit
- Storage: Pack your items in a sturdy, easy-to-carry bag such as a backpack or duffel bag. Consider waterproof containers.
- Accessibility: Store your kit in an easily accessible location and ensure every household member knows where it is.
- Regular Updates: Check your kit every six months. Replace expired food, water, medications, and batteries.
- Practice: Review and practice your family’s emergency plan and familiarize everyone with the kit contents.
Resource Links
- Ready.gov, “Basic Disaster Supplies Kit”
- American Red Cross, “Survival Kit Checklist”
- CDC, “Building an Emergency Kit”
- FEMA, “Are You Ready? An In-depth Guide to Citizen Preparedness”
- ChurchofJesusChrist.org “Emergency Preparedness”