An emergency kit is a collection of basic supplies you and your family may need in the event of a disaster. The kit should contain food, water and other items you may need to survive when you have to evacuate your home or live without basic services for several days. When a disaster strikes, you probably won’t have the time to gather all the supplies in a kit. Thus, it’s important to create the kit in advance and keep it in a safe but easy-to-reach place.

A basic emergency kit should include:

• Water for drinking and sanitation to last at least 3 days; one gallon of water per person per day should suffice; sick people, children or nursing mothers may need more water, though;
• Non-perishable food for at least 3 days; foods that make you thirsty should be avoided;
• A first aid kit that may include prescription medication, scissors, tweezers, cloth tape, antibiotic ointment, adhesive bandages, non-latex gloves, etc.;
• Hand crank or battery-powered radio (tuned in to NOAA Weather Radio), as well as spare batteries;
• Flashlight with extra batteries;
• Whistle to call for help;
• Dust mask, plastic sheeting and duct-tape for shelter making;
• Moist towelettes and garbage bags for sanitation;
• Pliers or a wrench to turn off utilities;
• Can opener;
• Local map(s);
• Cell phone with an extra charger.

Optional items to include in an emergency kit:

• Essential documents, such as IDs, birth certificates, bank account records or insurance policies;
• Extra clothes, warm blankets and sleeping bags if the climate you live in is usually cold;
• An extra pair of glasses;
• Infant formula and diapers;
• Matches to light a fire;
• Personal hygiene items for women;
• Plastic plates, cups and cutlery;
• Games, books and other items to pass time.

Other tips:

• Keep an emergency kit at home, work and in your vehicle in a designated place. At home, make sure all family members know where the kit is.
• Put the kit in one or more containers, such as a backpack or suitcase with wheels. Keep all sensitive items in the kit in airtight plastic bags to protect them.
• Keep the food in a non-humid, cool place. Replace any foods that have gone bad or cans that have swollen. Replace water and food supplies every 6 months.
• Throughout the year, maintain and update your kit, according to your family’s needs.

Remember that creating a family evacuation plan and preparing your home for emergencies are also very important to protecting your family and your property in the event of a disaster. For professional fire, smoke, flood or mold restoration services, contact your local PuroClean office.