Build a Go Kit

In case of an emergency, assemble a three-day disaster supply kit to see you through until help arrives. The kit should include essentials like water, food and other supplies. A disaster supply kit is a collection of basic items your household may need.


STEP 1water2

FOOD AND WATER

  • 3-day supply of food that needs no cooking
  • 1 gallon of water per day for each person 
  • Manual can opener 
  • Baby items (baby food, formula, bottled)
  • Pet supplies (listed under pet supplies) 

STEP 2first aid 2

FIRST AID, MEDICATION, HYGIENE

  • First-aid kit (listed under first aid contents)
  • Prescriptions and back up medications 
  • Hand sanitizer, wipes
  • Toilet paper, paper towels, garbage bags 
  • Dental care, hearing aids, and vision products 
  • Soaps, personal supplies, diapers
  • Sunscreen, insect repellent 
  • Face masks to filter air (N-95 rating)

STEP 3 cell phone

COMMUNICATION, LIGHTING, DOCUMENT BAG ITEMS

  • Battery-powered radio with extra batteries or crank radio (emergency alert radio is best)
  • Extra cell phone battery and car charger
  • Flashlights and extra batteries
  • Matches and lighter 
  • Whistle 
  • Reading glasses and sunglasses
  • Document bag items (listed under document bag contents)

dog bowl 2PET SUPPLIES

  • 3-day supply of food, water and bowls 
  • Medications and pet first-aid kit 
  • Vaccination records
  • Crate or carrier (may be required in shelters or where you spend the night
  • Leash and toys 
  • Photo, in case pet gets lost 
  • Cat litter and box 

band aidFIRST AID KIT CONTENTS

  • 2 compress dressings (5x9 inches)
  • 25 band aids (different sizes)
  • First-aid tape 
  • Antibiotic ointment
  • Aspirin and ibuprofen 
  • Instant cold pack 
  • 2 pair of medical gloves (non-latex)
  • Oral thermometer, scissors, tweezers
  • 2 roller bandages (different widths)
  • 2 elastic bandages 
  • 10 sterile gauze pads (different sizes)
  • 2 triangular bandages (for making slings)
  • First aid instruction booklet

documents picDOCUMENT BAG CONTENTS

  • Current photo IDs, driver licenses, birth records, social security cards, passports
  • Photos of family members in case you get separated
  • Health insurance and prescription cards
  • Medical records, medications and dosages 
  • Phone numbers (family, friends, doctors)
  • Bank account information 
  • Wills 
  • Insurance documents (homeowner, renter, flood, life)
  • Property deeds, leases, mortgages 
  • Vehicle titles, insurance, leases, loan documents 
  • Inventory of household possessions and their value 
  • Backup computer files (on a CD, DVD, USB drive)
  • Copies of important keys 
  • Utility bills (to prove where you live)

disabilites picPEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND THOSE WITH ACCESS AND FUNCTIONAL NEEDS 

  • Wheelchairs, walkers and canes
  • Cooler with cold packs for medications 
  • Extra medications and dosages 
  • Copies of prescriptions and medical alert tags
  • Food for specials diets
  • Medical supplies (oxygen, glucose monitoring strips, syringes, etc.)
  • Hearing aids with extra batteries
  • Communication devices
  • Supplies and documentation for service animals

When staying home is your safest choice, add these items to your kit and stay tuned to the news.

STEP 5

home

SHELTERING IN PLACE 

  • Smoke detectors with extra batteries
  • Carbon monoxide detector (if using generators, charcoal grills or camp stoves)
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Land line phone with extra-long cord 
  • Plastic sheeting and duct tape (to seal doors, windows and air vents from contaminated air to build an emergency shelter)

To learn more about sheltering in place click Shelter in Place

You may have to leave in a hurry to get to a safe place. Keep these supplies near your car. When it's time, grab them and GO.

STEP 4car

ADD THESE ITEMS FOR EVACUATING BY CAR

  • Road maps
  • Car repair items (tools, spare tire, tire patch kit, oil)
  • More food and water
  • Plastic plates, cups and utensils 
  • Tent, blankets and pillow 
  • Clothes and sturdy shoes
  • Rain gear and towels 
  • Books, games and toys 

BEFORE YOU LEAVE HOME 

  • Fill your gas tank, check your spare tire 
  • Take cash, checkbook and credit cards
  • Call your family emergency contact 
  • Charge your mobile phone
  • Get a map of your route