Home Emergency Kits

What is included in an emergency kit?

Emergency kits vary by how many people they are for, by how many hours/days they need to last, and sometimes by how far they need travel. Because different emergencies may call for you to either evacuate or shelter-in-place, it is best to prepare with a kit that can be easily transported for when necessary. Be sure you have the minimum supply to meet the following 10 needs: food, water, first aid, breathing protection, shelter, warmth, communication, light, tools, sanitation & hygiene. Once you have included those required supplies, add additional items or quantities of supplies if there is still room in your pack or cart.

What is the best emergency food?

The best emergency food is food that meets the following three key requirements:
1. Long shelf life. The food selected should have a long shelf life so that it does not spoil quickly. Include food items like emergency food bars that last up to 5 years.
2. Ready-to-eat. It is important that your food selection be Ready-to-eat because you may not have the opportunity to cook in the immediate aftermath of an emergency.
3. Light weight and compact. Your selected foods should also be lightweight and compact, so they can be easily carried in in a backpack, bag, or cart
Tip: Datrex, emergency food rations with a 5-year shelf life, is an excellent choice for emergency food. They come in rationed ready-to-eat portions and are compact and lightweight.

What should you put in your emergency kit?

Your emergency kit should provide immediate survival needs after any anticipated emergency or disaster. It is best to consider how to meet your minimum needs in the following 10 basic survival categories before adding extra items to your kit: food, water, first aid, breathing protection, shelter, warmth, communication, light, tools, sanitation & hygiene. The additional items you add should be compact and lightweight and have a long shelf life. Be sure to include some cash and personal items, such as vital medications, spare glasses or contacts, and vital information like phone numbers of friends and family members.

Where do you keep your emergency kit?

Store your emergency kit where it can be kept cool and dry, yet easy to access in a moment’s notice. Depending on your climate and the layout of your home, you may consider storing your emergency kit by the back door, in a front closet, or even in the garage. Be careful not to store all of your emergency supplies a difficult to reach place, like a basement, because you need to access it quickly. However, a more isolated location can be a good place to store longer term shelter-in-place supplies.