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Your Family Emergency Kit

Prepare for limited access to food and utilities (such as water and electricity) – for at least three days and possibly up to two weeks. Your disaster emergency kit should include:

Water

  • At least one (1) gallon of water per family member per day for drinking, food preparation, and sanitation
  • Water treatment tablets/water filtration system
    Remember: water can be treated! Bring it to a rolling boil for 3-5 minutes and let cool before drinking. Alternately, you can use regular household liquid bleach that contains 5.25% sodium hypochlorite. Add 16 drops of bleach per gallon of water. Stir and let stand for 30 minutes.

Healthy foods that do not need to be heated

  • Canned food (beans, fruit, vegetables, baby food) 
  • Non-perishable juice and milk 
  • For moms with babies who do not breastfeed: ready-to-feed formula (no water to add) 
  • A non-electric can opener 
  • Matches or other fuel source kept in a waterproof container

Personal care items

  • Toiletries (toothbrush, soap, prescription medicines)
  • Diapers, baby wipes, hand sanitizer
  • Feminine hygiene products, nursing pads
  • Extra clothing (maternity garments, underwear, warm outerwear)
    Sanitation
  • Toilet paper
  • Soap
  • Plastic bucket or plastic garbage bags & ties (for personal waste)
  • Disinfectant or household bleach (with 5.25% sodium hypochlorite)

Other Supplies

  • First-aid kit
  • Radio (crank radio if possible, or radio with extra batteries)
  • Flashlight with extra batteries
  • Zip-top bags
  • Important documents: government identification cards, marriage/birth certificates, medical records
  • Cash
  • Blankets