What to include in an emergency survival kit

Government agencies will respond to community disasters, but citizens may be on their own for hours, or even days, after disaster strikes. You should be prepared to take care of yourself and your family for at least three days. In some emergencies, such as an influenza pandemic, you may need to prepare for a week or more.

Store one at home and one at your workplace.

• Dry or canned food for each person
  
• 1 gallon of drinking water per person, per day
  
• Can opener
• First aid kit
  
• Toys, puzzles, books and/or games
• List of contact names and phone numbers
• Change of clothing (preferably non-cotton)
  
• Sleeping bag or blanket
• Extra house keys and car keys
• Hand sanitizer
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Copies of important documents such as birth certificates, licenses and insurance policies
• Food, water and medication for pets
• Whistle
• Waterproof matches
• Battery or crank-powered radio or TV

Additional items to consider:

Cooking

• Barbecue, camp stove (for outdoor use only!)
• Fuel for cooking, such as charcoal or camp stove fuel
• Plastic knives, forks, spoons
• Paper plates and cups
• Paper towels
• Heavy-duty aluminum foil

Sanitation

• Large plastic trash bags for trash, water protection
• Large trash cans
• Bar soap and liquid detergent
• Shampoo
• Toothpaste and toothbrushes
• Feminine and infant supplies
• Toilet paper
• Household bleach with no additives and eyedropper (for purifying drinking water — 3 to 5 drops per quart)
• Newspaper (to wrap garbage and waste)

Comfort

• Sturdy shoes
• Gloves for clearing debris
• Tent

Tools

• Ax, shovel, broom
• Crescent wrench for turning off gas
• Screwdriver, pliers, hammer
• Coil of one-half inch rope
• Plastic tape and sheeting
• Knife or razor blades
• Garden hose for siphoning and fire fighting