Emergency planning

Home means many things to us, but one of its most important qualities is safety. Your home emergency kit can keep you and your family safe in a wide range of disasters.

The list of everything that goes into a complete kit can look intimidating – and expensive. Fortunately, appearances can be deceiving. The following list breaks down our suggested items by category, which you can use to prioritize your needs and budget. We’ve also provided some resources for assembling a complete kit with a few planned purchases every week.

Information and Communication

There’s a reason social media websites (Facebook, Twitter, and others) have become such a focus for disaster workers. In an emergency, people want information—where they can go to be safe or get bottled water, whether loved ones are safe, how they can help others and when life will return to normal. Isolation is stressful, and being able to gain awareness of a situation or account for family members is a high priority. These items can help.

• NOAA weather radio – see our separate page on these devices.
• Portable AM/FM radio – whether it runs on batteries, solar power, or a hand-cranked dynamo, you can use this to tap into news broadcasts even when the power is down. Some models also can receive the NOAA weather radio channels.
• Smartphone – the information equivalent of a Swiss army knife, a smartphone’s utility is limited only by the apps you install. 
• Emergency charging for personal electronics – a smartphone is useful only as long as you have power for it. Consider an external battery, a solar charger, or another option that doesn’t rely on wall power to extend its battery life.
• Whistle – when all else fails and you need to signal for help, a whistle’s piercing note carries much farther than a shout and requires less breath.

Damage Control and Cleanup

If your home sustains damage during a disaster, one of your first priorities should be to contain the problem so it doesn’t worsen. Once that’s done, cleaning up debris can help prevent further injuries.

• Fire extinguishers – one for the kitchen, plus one for each other room (garage, workshop, den with fireplace) where flammable materials are stored. Tip: mount each extinguisher at the entrance to the room so you won’t have to run past a fire to get to it.
• Adjustable wrench or gas shut-off tool – if your home uses natural gas, know how to shut it off at the meter. Caution: once you do this, you’ll need gas company assistance to turn it on again.
• Leather work gloves – take care of your hands.
• Safety glasses – not all lenses are created equal. Look for safety glasses with side shields and the ANSI Z87.1 impact protection rating.
• Sturdy shoes or boots – keep these next to your bed or in your tornado sheltering location (along with a spare pair of socks). After a midnight catastrophe, you won’t want to walk across debris barefoot.
• Chlorine bleach – for cleaning up potentially infectious substances.

Illumination

A lot of disasters involve power outages. Once we spend a few days in those conditions (or camping), we realize how much of what we do depends on electric lighting. The following gear can substitute for your usual lamps and ceiling fixtures.

• Flashlights – and don’t forget plenty of extra batteries.
• Headlamps – like flashlights, but they strap to your head and leave your hands free for work. 
• Chemlights – otherwise known as glowsticks or lightsticks. They don’t give off heat and can’t spark, so they’re ideal for situations where there may be a fire hazard.
• Glow bracelets – relatives of chemlights. These aren’t the best for area illumination but they’re great for navigation. Loop them around door handles, your boots, or other things you may want to be able to find in the dark.

A note on traditional emergency light sources: while it’s hard to beat the warm, flickering ambiance of candles or a kerosene lamp, any source of open flame is a fire hazard. Be very careful if you use these, particularly if you have children or pets who may not understand the danger.

Food and Water

In a large-scale disaster, you may be on your own for several days – no water pressure, no electricity, no stores. Having a good supply of your body’s most basic needs can make the difference between emergency and inconvenience. For residents in Fayette County, a minimum three-day supply, with a stretch goal of a week, is recommended. 

• Bottled water – at least one gallon per household member per day. Don’t forget to include pets.
• Food – choose foods that are temperature-stable and have a long shelf life. If buying unfamiliar foods or brands, taste-test to be sure you’ll want to eat them. Bear in mind that staying warm in a power outage requires additional calories, as does heavy manual labor such as debris clearance. Some suggestions: Dried fruit, crackers, peanut butter, jelly, canned juice, granola or energy bars, cereals, canned or packaged, preserved meat, jerky, candy bars.
• Food preparation – if your emergency foods require more extensive preparation than opening a can, you’ll need a way of heating them.
• Hand-cranked can opener – to open the self-stable foods in your kit. 
• Picnic supplies – if water service is interrupted, disposable plates and utensils may be better than using your limited emergency water supply to wash dishes.

Health and Hygiene

If you don’t take care of yourself, you increase the chances a minor injury or illness will leave you unable to care for your family, friends or pets. These parts of your kit can help keep you healthy through the worst of an emergency.

• First aid kit – and a Red Cross first aid class so you know how to use everything in it.
• Medication – whether it’s over-the-counter or prescription, be sure to have a week’s supply on hand in case you can’t get to an open pharmacy.
• Copies of prescriptions – so you can refill your medications through alternate services if your regular pharmacy is shut down.
• Pre-moistened wipes or towelettes and other personal hygiene products – so you can stay clean and refreshed even with a limited water supply. Having a full travel/shaving kit ready to go can help if a hotel or shelter stay is necessary.
• Spare glasses or contact lenses – just to have a backup.

Shelter

Staying warm, dry, and protected is a high priority in any situation. If normal utilities or emergency services are overwhelmed or unavailable, being able to self-shelter can literally be a life-or-death capability.

• Extra blankets or sleeping bags – one per family member, in case you need to relocate – or just need extra warmth.
• Space blankets – another option for warmth, these fold down into very small packets when not in use. You may look like a baked potato but you’ll be comfortable!
• Space heater and fuel – in a winter power outage, being able to heat even part of your home can make a huge difference in comfort. Be sure to follow all safety precautions for the device and fuel you choose.
• Plastic sheeting, duct tape, scissors, and towels – for sealing a room in case a chemical emergency forces you to shelter in place.

Records

If your home or possessions are damaged or destroyed, having complete and up-to-date records can speed the process of financial assistance and insurance settlements. Document everything – as we say in our office, “if you don’t write it down, it didn’t happen.”

• Fire- and water-resistant lockbox – to help your documents survive catastrophe. Everything else on this list should be placed in this container.
• Copies of insurance policies
• Passports, Social Security cards and other personal identification
• Wills, medical powers of attorney and other legal documents
• Titles to house, vehicle and other titled property
• Photos or videos of household contents – store digital copies on a CD, DVD, or flash drive.
• List of serial numbers for electronics and other serialized items

Newborns and Infants

Taking care of an infant is hard on an average day. Imagine caring for an infant during an extended power outage or a major storm. Stress may be high, and resources may be limited. Here are a few simple steps you can take today to prepare your younger family members:

• Have a portable crib, thermometer and vaccination records.
• Hand sanitizer and anti-bacterial wipes
• Dish soap and cleaners
• Baby food in pouches or jars with disposable feeding spoons
• Two baby blankets
• Extra baby clothing and shoes
• Baby sling or carrier
• Diapers, wipes and diaper rash cream
• Infant-strength medications and pain relievers
• Small disposable cups
• Ready-to-feed formula in single-serving cans or bottles

First aid and CPR are different for newborns and infants, as well as younger children. Take an infant CPR and/or first aid class.

Other Necessities

• Spare cash – in a widespread emergency, ATMs and credit card processing may be offline.
• Spare house and car keys – just in case.
• Books, games, puzzles, and toys – because for both kids and adults, sometimes the worst part of an emergency is the waiting.

When building your household emergency kit, be sure to think about your pets’ needs. After a disaster, it may be several days before utilities and businesses are restored and outside help arrives. A pet emergency kit should contain enough supplies for at least three days, and preferably a week. It should also include everything you’d need to take care of your pet if you had to evacuate your home and stay somewhere new. 

Container

Select a container that’s sturdy enough to handle evacuation and large enough to hold everything you need. But don’t load it down so it’s too heavy to lift!

Make sure your kit fits in your vehicle (with all your other emergency supplies) in case you have to evacuate with your pets.

If you have a large, healthy dog, consider buying a dog backpack or saddlebag, like those used by outdoor enthusiasts who take their dogs hiking. Have your dog carry some of their own supplies. But make sure they are used to the pack beforehand.

Store your kit with your other household emergency supplies so you can find it when you need it.

Contents

Your kit’s contents will depend on what kind of pets you have – for example, most cat owners don’t put leashes on their felines (though we applaud the exceptional cats who’ve trained their humans to do this properly!). Having said that, here’s a general list of items to consider for your kit:

• Pet first aid kit
• Food and treats – rotated periodically to ensure they stay fresh
• Bottled water – also rotated periodically
• Hand-cranked can opener, if you use canned food without easy-open lids
• Food and water bowls
• Medication
• Crate or carrier
• Collar and leash
• Blanket or bedding
• Toys and other comfort items
• Grooming items
• Litterbox, litter, and scoop
• Trash bags, paper towels and other cleanup supplies
• Vaccination and medical records, including any prescription information
• Current photos of your pets for identification/reunification
• Written care and feeding instructions

 

Watch a signed and open-captioned video on how to build a pet emergency kit.

A vehicle emergency kit serves several purposes: repair and recovery, signaling, and sheltering.

Repair and Recovery

Repair and recovery items can get you back on the road after a minor mechanical problem.

• Flashlight or headlamp with extra batteries – because breakdowns don’t always happen in the daytime.
• Work gloves – save your knuckles while changing a tire or working under the hood.
• Safety glasses – protection from unexpected splashes of automotive fluids.
• Jumper cables – be sure you know the right order to connect them. Alternatively, consider a jump-start power pack, which can also be an emergency charger for personal electronics.
• Jack, jack handle, lug wrench, and spare tire – every car should have these, but when was the last time you made sure they were still in there?
• Air compressor – good for airing up that spare tire.
• Recovery strap – in some cases, another vehicle can get you unstuck without a call for a tow truck. 

Signaling

While a cell phone is often the best way to call for help or get information, a dead battery or a cellular service interruption can render it useless. Having a few backup methods of signaling never hurts.

• Cell phone charger – an adapter that plugs into your car’s accessory outlet or cigarette lighter can keep your phone charged indefinitely.
• Road flares – to warn oncoming drivers of hazards. Please don’t use near flammable hazards. 
• Cemical light sticks – a healthy glow for signaling or working.
• Emergency reflectors or LED beacons – a non-combustible alternative to flares.
• Fluorescent flag – when tied to your radio antenna or a branch, can mark your vehicle’s location even in deep snow.
• Whistle – if you’re reported lost, searchers will come for you. A whistle carries much farther than your voice.

Safety and Sheltering

If you’re stranded, your vehicle is often your best available shelter. Having a few key items on board can make a big difference in comfort and safety.

• First aid kit – along with the skills to use it.
• Bottled water – one gallon per person, if you have the storage space.
• Non-perishable food – snacks for a road trip, or dinner if you’re stuck between interstate exits.
• Spare socks and underwear – because the power of staying warm, dry, and clean can’t be overstated.
• Blanket, sleeping bag or survival blanket – extra insulation for a very long night.
• Paper towels, toilet paper and personal hygiene supplies – to make an unexpected overnight a little more comfortable.

Winter Additions

The items listed above should be in your kit year-round. In addition, you should add the following supplies for cold-weather travel.

• Windshield scraper – an everyday necessity if you park outdoors in the winter.
• Collapsible snow shovel – for digging out of a snowbank.
• Base layer clothing – thermal underwear for sheltering overnight.
• Cat litter – traction on snow and ice. Alternatives include sand and road salt.

Tips and Tricks

• The best emergency kit is the one you never have to use. Travel safely and keep up with your vehicle’s maintenance schedule.
• A flashlight in your car may not see frequent use. Store it with the batteries reversed or removed so they won’t corrode.
• If your trunk is jammed or frozen shut, you may not be able to access your kit. Consider keeping it in the passenger compartment while you’re driving.
• Check your kit regularly – a good time is in the spring and fall when you reset your clocks and change your smoke detector batteries.
• Drive off the top half of your tank to ensure you always have reserve fuel on board.
• In cold weather, consider removing temperature-sensitive items when you park overnight.