Survival Kit - Natural Disasters

Natural Disasters

The US government's Homeland Security website provides a list of in-home emergency kit items. The list focuses on the basics of survival: fresh water, food, clean air and materials to maintain body warmth. The recommended basic emergency kit items include:

• Water, at least one gallon of water per person for each day for drinking & sanitation (should be rotated every 3 months)
• Food, non-perishable food for at least three days which is not required to be cooked or refrigerated
• Emergency food bars, preferably products with 2,400 or 3,600 calories and contain no coconut or tropical oils to which many people may have an allergic reaction, in addition to non-perishable food which does not require cooking or refrigeration
• Battery- or hand-powered radio with the Weather band
• LED type flashlight (battery- or hand-powered)
• Extra batteries for anything needing them, lithium type is preferred for shelf life
• First aid kit
• Copies of any medical prescriptions
• Whistle to signal
• Dust mask, plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter in place
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
• Wrench or pliers to turn off water valves
• Can opener for canned food
• Local maps
• Spare keys for household & motor vehicles
• Sturdy, comfortable shoes & lightweight raingear
• Contact & meeting place information for the household