The most essential items of an emergency supply kit include at least a three-day supply of food and water for each person, first aid supplies, clothing and bedding, tools, emergency supplies and special items.
While your survival kit may not include every item on our checklist, having some of these items is better than having none of them.
Review your kit every six months. Replace the food and water and add necessary items as your family’s needs change. Share this information with your neighbors.
Survival Kit Checklist
You can download the Emergency Checklist here.
You can also download a copy of the Emergency Contacts form here.
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 and candy
First Aid Kit
- Assemble a first aid kit for your home and one for each car.
- Sterile adhesive bandages in assorted sizes
- 2-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6)
- 4-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6)
- Hypoallergenic adhesive tape
- Triangular bandages (3)
- 2-inch sterile roller bandages (3 rolls)
- 3-inch sterile roller bandages (3 rolls)
- Scissors
- Tweezers
- Needle
- Moistened towelettes
- Antiseptic
- Thermometer
- Tongue depressor (2)
- Petroleum jelly or other lubricant
- Assorted sizes of safety pins
- Cleansing agent/soap
- Latex gloves (2 pair)
- Sunscreen
Non-prescription Drugs
- Aspirin or non-aspirin pain reliever
- Anti-diarrhea medication
- Antacid (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
Tools and Supplies
- Eating utensils, cups, and plates
- Solar, manual or battery operated radio and extra batteries
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- Non-electric can opener
Emergency Contacts Form Summary
You can download the Emergency Contacts form here.
- Three Local Contacts – Name, Phone
- Three Out Of State Contacts – Name, Phone
- Where to meet outside the neighborhood – Location, Address, Phone
- Day Care or School Phone Number(s)
- Immediate Family Phone Numbers(s)
