WHERE IS YOUR EMERGENCY KIT?

YOUR FAMILY’S SURVIVAL DEPENDS ON IT

3 Kits Are Better Than 1!

Everyone needs a survival kit. In California, families need to be prepared for wildfire and earthquake emergencies in particular. It’s a good idea to not only pack an emergency kit that you keep at home, but to have one at work, and one in your car.

OK, Let’s Cover the Basics

• Water – there’s NOTHING more important! You’ll need one gallon of water per person, per day. And you should plan for at least three days. So if there are 5 people in your family, that’s 5 gallons of water per day for three days, equaling 15 gallon of water at the ready!
• Food. Choose something nonperishable that’s easy to store and carry, like canned goods or freeze-dried food. Don’t forget a can opener!
• Flashlight – don’t forget extra batteries!
• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio – NOAA Weather is best.
• First aid kit – see specifics below
• Medications – any prescription drugs you or your family need to live, plus over-the-counter items you use like aspirin or allergy meds. Don’t forget an extra pair of glasses if you wear corrective lenses!
• Multi-purpose tool and duct tape
• Sanitation and personal hygiene items – don’t forget a roll of toilet paper and hand sanitizer.
• Copies of personal documents – birth certificate, Social Security card, driver’s license, deed/lease to home, passports, insurance policies plus list of medications. Put all of these in a plastic ziplock bag.
• Cell phone with chargers
• Family and emergency contact information – and keep this not only in your mobile phone, but in a separate book. If you have no ability to charge a dead mobile phone, you’ll need those contacts written down and accessible.
• Cash – if there are widespread power outages, ATMs don’t work, and stores won’t be able to process debit and credit cards. In a widespread emergency, cash is still king!
• Emergency blanket – light-weight foil blankets are easiest to pack and carry
• Map(s) of the area

REMEMBER TO PACK FOR YOUR PETS

• WATER!
• Collar
• Leash
• ID/License
• Food
• Carrier
• Bowl

Other Expert Resources

There are as many survival kit items as their are people who create survival kits. Here are a few other experts and their advice on items to include.

• The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
• Red Cross Survival Kit
• Red Cross First Aid Kit