Family Emergency Supplies Kit

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What will you need if disaster strikes?

Emergency Supplies Kit

Emergencies can happen at any time, and they often require families to look after their own needs for several days. When an emergency strikes, it’s too late to begin to plan how you and your family will cope with it, or to assemble the things you will need to survive. In the event of a major disaster, emergency services may be overwhelmed and will only to able to respond to life-threatening emergencies. If help takes hours, or even days to arrive, would your family be prepared to cope?

Preparing for an emergency before it strikes is your surest path to survival. One key step is to assemble an Emergency Supplies Kit. By gathering emergency supplies in advance, your family will be much more prepared for an evacuation or extended stay at home.

First things first.

Determine what type of container you’ll use to store your supplies. This will depend on how many people you are providing for. The container should be something that can be picked up or wheeled away in case of evacuation. Some examples include a large, covered trash container, a plastic storage container, or a backpack.

Determine where you’ll store your kit.

Store your kit in a convenient place known to all family members.
Keep a smaller version of Emergency Supplies Kit in the truck of your car.

Emergency Supplies Kit Checklist

The essential items of a kit include at least a three-day supply of food and water for each person, first aid supplies, clothing and bedding, tools, and emergency supplies and special items.

Review your kit every six months. Replace food and water and add necessary items as your family’s needs change.

Water

	Store one gallon of water per person (or pet) per day.
	Store water in plastic containers, such as soft drink bottles. Avoid using containers that may break, such as glass bottles.

Food

Select foods that require no refrigeration, preparation or cooking and little or no
water. Select food items that are compact and lightweight. Most importantly, select foods that you and your family like.

	Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits, and vegetables
	Canned juices, milk, soup
	High energy foods, such as peanut butter, jelly, crackers, granola bars, trail mix
	Special food for infants, elderly persons, or persons on special diets
	Comfort food, such as cookies, candy, etc.

First Aid Kit

Assemble a first aid kit for your home and one for each car.

	Sterile adhesive bandages in assorted sizes		Needle
	2-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6)		Moistened towelettes
	4-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6)		Antiseptic
	Hypoallergenic adhesive tape		Thermometer
	Triangular bandages (3)		Tongue depressor (2)
	2-inch sterile roller bandages (3 rolls)		Cleaning agent/soap
	3-inch sterile roller bandages (3 rolls)		Latex gloves (2 pair)
	Scissors		Sunscreen
	Petroleum jelly or other lubricant		Tweezers
	Assorted sizes of safety pins

Non-prescription drugs

	Aspirin or non-aspirin pain reliever
	Anti-diarrhea medication
	Antiacid (for stomach upset)
	Syrup of ipecac (use to induce vomiting if advised by the Poison Control Center
	Laxative
	Activated charcoal (use if advised by the Poison Control Center)
	Prescription medications

Pet Supplies

	Food		Tags
	Water		Litter Box
	Medications		Vaccination information
	Leash

Water

	Include at least one complete change of clothing and a sturdy pair of shoes
	Blankets or sleeping bags

Special Items

	Formula		Contact lenses and supplies
	Diapers		Extra eye glasses
	Bottles		Entertainment – games, books

Important family documents

Keep these records in a waterproof, portable container

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

This page was last reviewed by Los Angeles County
Department of Health Services/Public Health on August 11, 2005