What Emergency Kit Should Homeowners Have for Disasters?

Prioritize water and food above all else. Plan for one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days. Include a supply of non-perishable, ready-to-eat food items like canned goods, protein bars, and dried fruit. Remember a manual can opener. This core supply ensures your family's basic needs are met when utilities and stores are inaccessible after a disaster.

• One gallon of water per person, per day (3-day minimum)
• Non-perishable food (canned goods, protein bars, dried fruit)
• Manual can opener and basic utensils
• A basic first aid kit and any essential medical items
• Flashlight with extra batteries or a hand-crank model
• Battery-powered or hand-crank NOAA weather radio

Prepare to secure your property and stay safe. Basic tools like a wrench or pliers can turn off utilities. Include work gloves, heavy-duty garbage bags, and duct tape for temporary repairs. A multi-purpose fire extinguisher is a wise addition. These items help you perform initial damage control before professional help can address the root cause.

Personal comfort and sanitation are often overlooked. Pack a change of sturdy clothes and sturdy shoes for each family member. Include blankets, sleeping bags, or emergency space blankets for warmth. Personal hygiene items like moist towelettes, garbage bags, and plastic ties help maintain sanitation if water service is interrupted. These supplies make sheltering in place or evacuation more manageable.

An emergency kit is useless if its contents are expired or missing. Check your kit every six months. Replace expired food and water. Rotate seasonal clothing and update documents after any major life change. This routine ensures your supplies are fresh and ready when a crisis strikes, preventing you from discovering spoiled or inadequate items during an actual emergency.

Store your kit wisely. Keep it in a designated, easy-to-reach place, such as a closet near an exit. Use sturdy, portable containers like backpacks or plastic bins with lids. Ensure every responsible family member knows its location. For a larger home, consider creating smaller, supplemental kits for your car and workplace, so you are prepared no matter where you are when disaster occurs.

• Check and replace expired items every six months
• Store in a durable, portable container (e.g., backpack, plastic bin)
• Keep in an easily accessible location known to all family members
• Consider creating smaller kits for your vehicle and workplace
• Update documents and contact lists after any major life event
• Test flashlights and radios during your bi-annual check