Disaster Supply Kit

Disasters are often unexpected. After a disaster, local officials and relief workers will be on the scene, but they cannot reach everyone immediately. You could get help in hours, or it may take days. Would your family be prepared to cope with the emergency until help arrives? Your family will cope best by preparing for a disaster before it strikes. One way to prepare is by assembling a disaster supply kit. Once disaster hits, you won’t have time to shop or search for supplies. But if you’ve gathered supplies in advance, your family can endure an evacuation or home confinement. To prepare your kit review the information below.

The Disaster Supplies & Preparedness Calendar will help you in create your emergency kit over a six-month period. Print the calendar and purchase the suggested items in small increments during your regular weekly shopping.

Supplies

Below are seven basics you should stock in your home. Keep the items you would most likely need during an evacuation in a Go Bag. A Go Bag is a smaller version of your Disaster Supply Kit that you can take if you must evacuate your home.

Your Go Bag should be an easy-to-carry container such as a large, covered trash container; a camping backpack; or a duffle bag. Suggested items for your Go Bag are marked with an asterisk(*).

Visit the Evacuation webpage to learn more.

Water

Store water in plastic containers such as soft drink bottles. Avoid using containers that will decompose or break, such as milk cartons or glass bottles.

A normally active person needs to drink at least two quarts of water each day. Hot environments and intense physical activity can double that amount. Children, nursing mothers, and ill people will need more.

Store one gallon of water per person per day (two quarts for drinking, two quarts for food preparation/sanitation)*
Keep at least a three-day supply of water for each person in your household.

For more information about storing water for an emergency, visit the Frequently Asked Questions webpage.

*Add item to Go Bag.

Food

Store at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food. Select foods that require no refrigeration, preparation, or cooking, little or no water and are low in sodium.

If you must heat food, pack a can of sterno. Select food items that are compact and lightweight.

Include a selection of the following foods in your Disaster Supply Kit:

Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits and vegetables*
Canned juices, milk, soup (if powdered, store extra water)*
Staples – sugar, salt, pepper*
High energy foods – peanut butter, jelly, crackers, granola bars, trail mix*
Vitamins*
Foods for infants, elderly persons or persons on special diets*
Comfort/stress foods – cookies, hard candy, sweetened cereals, lollipops, instant coffee, tea bags*

For more information on what type of food to store for an emergency, visit the Frequently Asked Questions webpage.

*Add item to Go Bag.

First Aid Supplies

Assemble a first aid kit for your home and one for each car. A first aid kit* should include:

Sterile adhesive bandages in assorted sizes
2-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6)
4-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6)
Hypoallergenic adhesive tape
Triangular bandages (3)
2-inch sterile roller bandages (3 rolls)
3-inch sterile roller bandages (3 rolls)
Scissors
Tweezers
Needle
Moistened towelettes
Antiseptic
Thermometer
Tongue blades (2)
Tube of petroleum jelly or other lubricant
Assorted sizes of safety pins
Cleansing agent/soap
Latex gloves (2 pair)
Sunscreen
Aspirin or non-aspirin pain reliever
Anti-diarrhea medication
Antacid (for stomach upset)
Laxative
Activated charcoal (use if advised by the Poison Control Center)

Contact your local American Red Cross chapter to obtain a basic first aid manual.

*Add item to Go Bag.

Clothing and Bedding

Include at least one complete change of clothing and footwear per person.*

Sturdy shoes or work boots*
Rain gear*
Blankets or sleeping bags*
Hat and gloves
Thermal underwear
Sunglasses

*Add item to Go Bag.

Tools and Emergency Supplies

Mess kits, or paper cups, plates and plastic utensils*
Emergency preparedness manual*
Battery-operated radio and extra batteries*
Flashlight and extra batteries*
Cash or traveler’s checks, change*
Non-electric can opener, utility knife*
Fire extinguisher: small canister, ABC type
Tube tent
Pliers
Tape
Compass
Matches in a waterproof container
Aluminum foil
Plastic storage containers
Signal flare
Paper, pencil
Needles, thread
Medicine dropper
Whistle
Plastic sheeting
Map of the area (for locating shelters)

*Add item to Go Bag.

Sanitation Supplies

Toilet paper, towelettes*
Soap, liquid detergent*
Feminine supplies*
Personal hygiene items*
Plastic garbage bags, ties (for personal sanitation uses)
Plastic bucket with tight lid
Disinfectant
Household chlorine bleach

*Add item to Go Bag.

Special Items

Remember family members with special needs, such as infants and elderly or disabled persons.

For Baby*

Formula
Diapers
Bottles
Powdered milk
Medications

For Adults*

Heart and high blood pressure medication
Insulin
Prescription drugs
Denture needs
Contact lenses and supplies
Extra eye glasses

For Everyone

Entertainment – games and books.

For Pets

Make a plan for your pets. Visit the Pets and Disasters webpage for more information.

Important Family Documents

Keep these records in a waterproof, portable container.

Will, insurance policies, contracts, deeds, stocks and bonds
Passports, social security cards, immunization records
Bank account numbers
Credit card account numbers and companies
Inventory of valuable household goods, important telephone numbers
Family records (birth, marriage, death certificates)

Suggestions and Reminders

Store your kit in a convenient place known to all family members. Keep a smaller version of the Disaster Supply Kit in the trunk of your car.
Keep items in airtight plastic bags.
Change your stored water supply every six months so it stays fresh.
Rotate your stored food every six months.
Re-think your kit and family needs at least once a year. Replace batteries, update clothes, etc.
Ask your physician or pharmacist about storing prescription medications.

*Add item to Go Bag.

Contact Information

Phone:
(702) 759-1671

Email:
snhdpublicinformation@snhd.org

Updated on: September 14, 2021