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How to Make an Emergency Preparedness Kit

To prepare for an emergency such as a power outage or a hurricane, tsunami, tornado or other weather disaster, and even a catastrophe like a pandemic or act of war, it's essential to make an emergency preparedness kit ahead of time. Protect yourself and your loved ones by having the survival kit--better yet, kits, plural--ready in case disaster strikes. Here are basic, step-by-step instructions for how to make an emergency preparedness kit.

Things You'll Need

  • dust mask
  • bottled drinking water
  • cups
  • emergency food rations
  • manual can opener
  • paper plates
  • plastic utensils
  • warm blankets
  • gloves
  • socks
  • shoes
  • rain gear
  • extra clothing
  • plastic sheet
  • duct tape
  • toilet paper
  • soap
  • disinfectant wipes
  • disinfectant
  • diapers
  • diaper wipes
  • trash bags
  • plastic bucket and lid
  • first aid kit
  • medications
  • battery powered radio
  • extra radio batteries
  • whistle
  • signal flare
  • battery powered flashlight and/or lantern
  • extra light source batteries
  • ABC fire extinguisher
  • pliers or wrench
  • emergency preparedness manual
  • first aid manual
  • vital records
  • ID cards
  • cash / cashier's checks
  • calling card
  • cell phone
  • glasses
  • personal care items
  • entertainment items
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Instructions

    • 1

      Keep in mind that the things you'll most need to survive disaster are 1) breathable air, 2) drinking water, 3) food, 4) warmth, 5) sanitation, and 6) health supplies. Numbers 1-4 are the most immediate and critical for survival. Also important are a means of communication and a light source.

    • 2

      Air: Get protective masks such as dust masks to filter air when you make the survival kit. Dust inhaled during an earthquake or other emergency can cause health problems later on.

    • 3

      Water: Get potable water for your emergency preparedness kit. Each adult needs at least a gallon of water a day, half to drink, half to use for sanitation. Use bottled water, not water from the tap, and keep it sealed. Replace the water when the expiration date is past. Keep a supply of paper or plastic cups in your kit, as well.

    • 4

      Food: Buy non-perishable emergency food that doesn't need refrigeration or cooking, such as canned foods, beef jerky, dried fruits, crackers, and vacuum-packed food. Keep baby food and formula on hand if you have an infant. Include a non-electric can opener in the disaster kit. Also keep a supply of paper plates and plastic utensils.

    • 5

      Warmth: Include warm blankets and extra clothing, including gloves, socks, shoes, rain gear, and hats. The best protection from chill is to dress in layers. Also keep a plastic tarp and duct tape to create an emergency shelter if necessary.

    • 6

      Sanitation: Besides water for washing, include toilet paper, soap, treated wipes and disinfectants such as hydrogen peroxide and rubbing alcohol. If you have a baby, include diapers and diaper wipes. Keep a supply of trash bags and plastic buckets with lids to handle wastes, bodily and otherwise.

    • 7

      Health: Keep a first aid kit that's well-stocked with plenty of bandages, medical tape, painkillers, gloves, sterile pads, and antibiotic ointment. Don't forget the first aid manual. Also store in your emergency preparedness kit a small supply of the medications, both prescription and non-prescription, that your family usually takes.

    • 8

      Communication and light: Keep a battery-powered radio in your emergency preparedness kit, as well as a whistle and a signal flare. Keep a flashlight and/or a battery-powered lantern. Store extra batteries for the radio, flashlight, and any equipment also in your emergency preparedness kit.

    • 9

      Other essential supplies to prepare for emergencies: Keep an ABC small fire extinguisher on hand. Store a pliers or a wrench to turn off any utilities. Get an up-to-date emergency preparedness manual and first aid manual to keep in your kit. Keep a copy of important documents such as vital records, important telephone numbers, and identification. Keep cash, change, and a calling card on hand. If you have an extra or old pair of glasses, keep one in your disaster survival kit in case you lose your glasses. You might also want to include personal care items such as toothpaste, toothbrush, washcloths, and towels. And entertainment items such as paper, pens and crayons and books can help keep everyone from going stir-crazy.

    • 10

      Special items: Take into account your unique needs. If anybody in your household needs special health equipment or has a disability or limited mobility, make sure he or she is well prepared for. Each person is different. Ask everybody what they absolutely could not do without in an emergency and include these items, if at all possible.

    • 11

      Make one emergency preparedness kit for your home, one for each workplace, and one for each car. You don't know where you or your family will be when a disaster strikes. In the kit for your car, include a local and national road map, signal flares and a jumper cable.

    • 12

      Place the emergency supplies for your kit in a duffel bag, trunk, large backpack, clean trashcan, or other large portable container or containers.

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