In an unpredictable world, being prepared for emergencies is pretty essential - and well, you really will feel better about life once you do all the things. Whether it's a natural disaster, power outage, or any unforeseen event, having a well-stocked supply kit can make all the difference - and this is the place to begin. This emergency supplies checklist provides a starting point for what every household should keep in their home at all times. If you have these basic items you and your loved ones will be better able to stay safe and comfortable during an emergency.
There are 6 basic types of supplies you should keep stocked in your home and business. Using this checklist will ensure you are prepared for the unexpected.
EMERGENCY WATER
☐ 1 Gallon per person per day
☐ 3 Day supply per person
☐ Portable water filter to treat dirty water (Total recommend these two: The AquaBrick® Water Purification System from Sagan Life® and the AquaPail Water Filter 1100 Gallons from BeReady Inc.)
EMERGENCY FOOD
☐ Non-perishable or canned food. Approximately 1500 calories per day per person, enough for 3 – 7 days.
☐ Canned juices, milk and soup
☐ Sugar, salt and pepper
☐ Peanut butter & jelly
☐ Crackers
☐ Granola bars and trail mix
☐ Food for the elderly and infants if needed
☐ Dried fruit, cookies, candy, lollipops
☐ Cereals
☐ Coffee & tea
☐ Manual can opener
FIRST AID KIT & MEDICAL SUPPLIES
☐ Comprehensive first aid kit with variety of bandages, gauze pads and supplies
☐ Scissors, tweezers, needle, safety pins
☐ Antiseptic and antibiotic creams/gels
☐ Thermometer
☐ Latex Gloves
☐ Ibuprofen
☐ Acetaminophen
☐ Aspirin
TOOLS & SUPPLIES
☐ Sturdy multi-function tool like a Leatherman
☐ Compass
☐ Waterproof matches and container
☐ Aluminum foil
☐ Plastic storage containers, plastic garbage bags and zip ties
☐ Emergency whistle
☐ Pencil and paper
☐ Toilet paper, towelettes, soap/detergent
☐ Feminine supplies/personal hygiene items
☐ Plastic 5 gal. bucket with tight lid
CLOTHING & BEDDING
☐ Sturdy shoes and work boots
☐ Rain gear
☐ Blankets and sleeping bags
☐ Hats, gloves, thermal underwear
☐ Sunglasses
SPECIALTY & PERSONAL ITEMS
☐ Copies of important documents like licenses, passports and credit cards kept in a waterproof container
☐ Medications
☐ Extra eyeglasses or contact lenses/supplies
☐ Books, games, cards and puzzles
Now that you’ve got the basic supplies covered, focus on other aspects of emergency prepping such as knowing who your Emergency Contacts are and creating a Family Communication Plan. For more on this - including editable PDFs click to visit Sagan Life Preparedness Documents.