You never know when it will happen. Earthquake. Hurricane. Blizzard.
Tornado. Floods. Whatever the disaster, you need to be prepared to go at
least 72 hours without power or housing. That means you need water, food,
clothing, and other necessities to last each person in your household for
at least 3 days. I think that's too short of a period. I recommend at
least 5 days.
Your disaster go-kit should be kept in a backpack or rolling carryon that is easily accessible. Keep it near a door or in the garage. You should also keep one in the car because you never know where you might be when the disaster happens.
Be sure to have one for each adult. Spread the items for children among the adult go-kits.
Your go-kit should contain the following:
- Water
: a minimum of a gallon per person per day
- Food
: Ready-to-eat foods such as MRE's
- First
Aid Kit
(see right sidebar)
- Waterproof
Matches
- Copies of important papers (driver's license, passport, birth certificate, etc.)
- Emergency contact list
- Emergency
sanitation supplies
- Toilet paper
- Hand
Sanitizer
- Tampons and feminine pads (these are also good for stopping bleeding)
- Emergency
blankets
- Flashlight
: be sure to have extra batteries or, better yet, get a windup flashlight
- Radio
: Self-powered (windup or solar powered) is great. If you have a battery powered radio be sure to have extra batteries.
- Medicine.
- Prescription
- Over-the-counter such as aspirin, Ibuprofen, and ointments. These should be in your First Aid kit but having too much is better than not having enough.
- Swiss
Army Knife
or Multi Tool
- Duct
tape
- Tube
tent
- Miscellaneous
- Paper and pens/pencils
- Cash - at least $100 in small denominations and coins. Remember: ATM's will not be working.