How to Create an Emergency Preparedness Kit

Purchase canned food items to place in your emergency preparedness kit.

You don't have to be a Boy or Girl Scout to know that you should be prepared for almost any occurrence. Once such instance in which preparedness is vital is in the case of an emergency, such as a natural disaster. Seldom does anyone have time to collect the things needed when such a situation arises; therefore, having an emergency preparedness kit available is extremely advantageous. Although you can purchase these types of kits, they will likely set you back quite a few bucks. A more cost-effective solution is to make a kit yourself.

Things You'll Need

• Water
• Portable radio or television
• Food
• Flashlight with batteries
• Hand sanitizer
• Duct mask
• Local maps
• Wrench
• Whistle
• Towelettes
• Plastic bag with tie
• Sleeping bags
• Blankets
• Prescription medication
• Glasses
• Paper and plastic utensils
• Matches

Instructions

1. Gather together a few gallons of water. Your kit should contain at least one gallon of water per person for three days. For instance, if you are creating a kit for two people, you should collect six gallons of water. Take more water with you if you are nursing, you live in a hot climate or you have pets. Although bottled water is best, tap water will suffice.

2. Place a portable radio or television in your kit. Doing so allows you to stay updated with the disaster's circumstances; additionally, knowing that you have some sort of contact with the outside world can boost your morale. Keep an extra cell phone with service in the kit. If you don't have an extra phone, purchase a cheap pay-as-you-go phone. Keep a cell phone charger in the kit as well.

3. Obtain at least three days worth of non-perishable food per person. Stock up on protein- and fruit-based items to keep your energy levels high. Collect canned food, as well as trail mixes, and cereal and granola bars. Try to collect food that you actually like. Don't forget to pack a can opener.

4. Place a flashlight with extra batteries inside your kit, along with hand sanitizer, a duct mask, local maps, a wrench to turn off utility items and a whistle to signal for help. In addition, include towelettes, and multiple plastic bags and ties for personal waste.

5. Collect sleeping bags and blankets for each person in your household. In addition, extra supplies of necessary prescription medication, glasses, paper and plastic utensils, and matches placed in a waterproof container can be helpful in an emergency.

6. Gather together first-aid items, such as adhesive bandages, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide and medication to relieve head and stomach aches, to place in your kit. In addition, antibiotic towelettes, scissors and tweezers may be useful as well.

7. Place a small amount of money in the form of cash, change or traveler's checks inside the kit. Keep important paperwork, such as copies of bank account records and insurance policies, as well as identification documents, inside a waterproof container that can fit inside the kit.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have children, be sure to include formula, bottles, pacifiers, diapers, wipes and toys in your kits. If applicable, pack food for your pet.

References

• Ready America: Get a Kit
• House Logic: Create a Home Emergency Preparedness Kit