Collage

Emergency Supplies

It is a great relief to have a kit of supplies that will help get you, your co-workers, or your family through the first 24 hours up to 72 hours following a major disaster. Even though manufactured kits are available from vendors, making up your own is even better. Along with the suggested lists, you can add your favorite book, games, medications, and must- have snacks.

The kit can be small enough to fit in your desk, a backpack for your car trunk, to a trash can that you keep on your back porch. In fact, having supplies in all three places is good peace of mind.

Car kits can include items for roadside emergencies such as jumper cables, crowbar, screwdrivers, pliers, wrenches, and duct tape. It is also recommended that you keep your gas tank full. Gas stations may lose their ability to pump gas following a loss of power that effects the pumping mechanisms.

Supplies for the car

  • Non-perishable food, manual can opener, eating utensils
  • Water
  • First aid kit
  • Personal hygiene items such as soap and hand towel, toothpaste and toothbrush, moist towelettes
  • Prescription medications and eyeglasses
  • Flashlight, portable radio, and batteries
  • Sturdy shoes, spare clothes, jacket, hat
  • Leather gloves or kind with leather palm
  • Pocket knife
  • Blanket
  • Trash bags
  • Toilet paper
  • Local maps
  • Flares
  • Cash-coins and bills
  • Pencil and paper
  • Emergency phone numbers

Supplies for the office

  • Food (your favorite snacks) and water
  • Flashlight and batteries
  • Whistle, in case you are trapped
  • Low heeled shoes
  • Personal hygiene items

Supplies for home

  • Food—canned and dehydrated, like dried fruit. If you can get to your refrigerator eat the food in the cooled section first, then the freezer, then your canned goods.
  • Pets—don’t forget about them!
  • Water—at least 1 gallon per day per person
  • Customized first aid kit
  • Non-electric can opener
  • Sleeping bags, ground cloth
  • Flashlight, portable radio and batteries
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Supplies for infants, if applicable
  • Sanitation supplies—bucket and trash bags
  • Personal hygiene needs
  • Camping stove for outdoor cooking, matches or lighter
  • Dishes and utensils, aluminum foil, paper towel
  • Cash
  • Personal documents such as insurance papers, birth certificate, etc.

A word about water

  • Should you need to purify your water, either boil it in a pan on your camping stove for 10 minutes or add 8 drops of bleach (use an eye dropper) per gallon of water. Mix and let stand for 30 minutes.
  • Store water on the floor rather than on the shelf. If it is stored in your trash can kit, date, rotate, and periodically check for leakage. Use the water within one year.
  • Other sources for water are your toilet tank (NOT the bowl) if you don’t use chemical treatment, and your water heater.

Remember these lists are not exhaustive. Add things you can’t do without!

If you have any questions, contact Environmental Health and Instructional Safety at x7233.