Emergency Kit

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Revision as of 15:01, November 28, 2008

The Emergency Preparedness merit badge and the Emergency Preparedness Award both include requirements about emergency kits. The following information is provided as an illustration of good content for emergency kits. You may wish to put other things in your kits.

Household Emegency Kit

What you have on hand when a disaster happens could make a big difference. Plan to store enough supplies for everyone in your household for at least three days.

____ Water. Have at least one gallon per person per day.

____ Food. Pack non-perishable, high-protein items, including energy bars, ready-to-eat soup, peanut butter, etc. Select foods that require no refrigeration, preparation or cooking, and little or no water.

____ Flashlight. Include extra batteries.

____ First Aid Kit Include a reference guide.

____ Medications. Don't forget both prescription and non-prescription items.

____ Battery-operated Weather radio. Include extra batteries.

____ Tools. Gather a wrench to turn off gas if necessary, a manual can opener, screwdriver, hammer, pliers, knife, duct tape, plastic sheeting, and garbage bags and ties.

____ Clothing. Provide a change of clothes for everyone, including sturdy shoes and gloves.

____ Personal Items. Remember eyeglasses or contact lenses and solution; copies of important papers, including identification cards, insurance policies, birth certificates, passports, etc.; and comfort items such as toys and books.

____ Hygiene & Sanitary Items. Small bag with toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, comb, facial tissues, towelettes, needle, thread, shoelaces, toilet paper, bleach

____ Money. Have cash. (ATMs and credit cards won't work if the power is out.)

____ Contact information. Includey a current list of family phone numbers and e-mail addresses, including someone out of the area who may be easier to reach by e-mail if local phone lines are overloaded.

____ Pet supplies. Include food, water, leash, litter box or plastic bags, tags, medications, and vaccination information.

____ Map and Compass. Consider marking an evacuation route on it from your local area.

Other items from the Emergency Preparedness Pamphlet (Book}

____ Sleeping bag. (or bedroll of two wool blankets) and waterproof ground cloth

____ Poncho or raincoat. (with hood, hat, or sou'wester)

____ Matches. or other fire starting tools

____ Work gloves

____ '50 feet cord. No. 5 sash cord or similar-sized nylon cord

____ Hard hat.

____ Other equipment. as determined by weather (winter jacket, rubber boots, gloves, etc)

____ Pencil and small notebook.

____ Watch. (unless you usually wear one)

Family Emergency Kit

If you received a flood warning and your family had to evacuate, you might have time to throw together a few items or dash to a well stocked emergency shelter. It would be better to have a box or suitcase of supplies ready. A prepared family keeps enough emergency supplies on hand to meet its needs for a few days or, better, for a week. These items come in handy in an emergency even if you do not have to evacuate. Some families keep their supplies in a basement shelter area or in a storm cellar, if they have one.

Include the following items:

_______ Three-day supply of water (one gallon per person per day) stored in sealed, unbreakable containers such as plastic jugs

_______ Nonperishable packaged or canned foods and a nonelectric can opener

_______ Eating utensils

_______ Any special foods or other items for babies, elderly people, or disabled family members

_______ Family first aid kit

_______ Prescription medications

_______ Battery-powered radio

_______ Flashlight or lantern

_______ Extra batteries (stored separately)

_______ Matches

_______ Blankets, or a sleeping bag for each family member

_______ Emergency toilet, if needed -- use a garbage container, bucket, or similar watertight container with snug fitting lid; plastic bags for liners; and household disinfectant (chlorine bleach) for odor control