Best Emergency Preparedness Supplies

Successfully coping with an emergency depends largely on being prepared. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), there are six basic supply categories to consider when preparing a list for emergency preparedness supplies; these include water; food; first aid supplies; clothing, bedding and sanitation supplies; tools; and special items.

Water

• The University of California, Berkeley, Office of Emergency Preparedness recommends keeping a three-day supply of water on hand for every member of your household, including pets. This would be approximately 2 gallons of water per person, with a portion of the water allocated for drinking, another for cooking and some for bathing. According to FEMA, each person needs at least 1 gallon of water a day for drinking. FEMA recommends using commercially prepared water and keeping the container sealed until used. Rotate the water and use by the expiration date on the container.

Food

• Keep a minimum three-day supply of nonperishable food, which requires no cooking or refrigeration, on hand. This includes canned meats, fruits, juices, vegetables, peanut butter, granola bars, vitamins, cereal, and (if needed) pet and baby food. Items to keep on hand which require some preparation include canned soup, powdered milk, coffee, tea and hot cocoa mix. Keep a camp stove or charcoal for the barbecue on hand for cooking or heating food. Don't forget to include a manual can opener and periodically rotate your food by purchasing new items and eating the existing items prior to their expiration date.

First Aid Kit

• When preparing your first aid kit, don't forget to make provisions for medications you or your family members take on a regular basis. While you can purchase pre-packaged first aid kits, make sure they include about six 2-inch sterile gauze pads, three 2-inch sterile roller bandages, six 4-inch sterile gauze pads, antacids, anti-diarrhea medication, antiseptic, aspirin or non-aspirin pain reliever, assorted sizes of safety pins, soap, cold packs, first aid manual (available from the Red Cross), hypo-allergenic adhesive tape, latex gloves, moistened towelettes, needle, scissors, sterile adhesive bandages in various sizes, sunscreen, thermometer, tongue blades, three triangular bandages, lubricant and tweezers.

Clothing, Bedding and Sanitation Supplies

• Keep at least one change of clothing and shoes, per person, in your emergency kit. Also include sleeping bags or blankets, disinfectant, feminine supplies, hat, gloves and scarf , household chlorine bleach, jacket or coat, long pants, long-sleeve shirt, personal hygiene items, plastic bucket with tight lid, plastic garbage bags with ties, rain gear, soap, liquid detergent, sturdy shoes or work boots, sunglasses, thermal underwear and toilet paper.

Tools

• FEMA recommends keeping the following tools in your emergency kit's tool supply: aluminum foil; cash or traveler's checks and change; compass; emergency preparedness manual; fire extinguisher (small canister, ABC type); flashlight and extra batteries; map of the area for locating shelters; matches in a waterproof container; medicine dropper; mess kits or paper cups, plates and plastic utensils; needles and thread; nonelectric can opener; utility knife; paper and pencil; plastic sheeting; plastic storage containers; pliers; portable, battery-operated radio or television and extra batteries; shut-off wrench, to turn off household gas and water; signal flare; tape; tube tent; and a whistle.

Special Items

• Set aside some emergency cash and keep copies of important documents, such as identification, wills, house inventory and banking information, in a waterproof and fireproof container. Include in your supplies special items unique to each family member, such as diapers for babies or an extra pair of eyeglasses.