Emergency preparedness is something we all agree we need -- but few of us follow up with any action.  Don't wait until the next disaster to get ready. 

Most parts of the United States experience emergency conditions (floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, tornados, etc.) on an almost annual basis. Yet we wait until disaster strikes to get serious about our survival. Now is a great time to prepare.

One of the most important items we should agree to BEFORE trouble happens is: "Where do we meet if there is a disaster?" and "What is plan B, if that location is not available?" and "How does each member get out of the house, if there is a fire (and the hall, staircase, doors, etc. are engulfed in flames)?" A collection point for family members is critical -- to the safety and peace-of-mind of each person in the family.

Personal Survival Kits should contain a minimum of 72-hours worth essential supplies.  Include: emergency 
water, food, blankets, lights, dust mask and other survival supplies that will help you through any situation.
 
Everyone in your family should have their own personal disaster kits. These kits are collections of supplies they may need when a disaster strikes.  
 
Personalize these kits and keep them where they can easily be reached—at home, in the car, at work or in your garage. A backpack/small bag is best for these kits so that they can be grabbed on-the-run. Include the following items:  
 
Water – 6 8 oz. boxes or pouches of water (5 year life)  
Food – 9 - Meal Size Energy Bars (5 year life)  
Warmth/Shelter - 1 tarp or small tent or rain-proof canopy,
    Emergency Blanket
    Body Warmers, jacket, rain gear

Medical Supplies -
    1 First Aid/Medical Kit
    Pair Medical Gloves

Lighting - 1 – “D” Flashlight with batteries (or a wind-up flashlight)
Radio - 1 – AM/FM Emergency Radio with batteries (or a wind-up radio)

Support Supplies -
    1 whistle (used to summon rescue workers),
    3 pairs work gloves,
     3 dust masks,
    1 pack wet wipes,
    1 Pocket Tissue Package,
    1  (30 Gallon) Plastic Bag,
    3  (10 Gallon) Plastic Bags

Packaging – One Bag or bucket with handle  

Plus the following personalized items:  
Medications and medical consent forms for dependents 
First aid kit and handbook 
Spare eyeglasses
Personal hygiene supplies  
Bottled water 
Emergency cash 
List of emergency contact phone numbers  
 
Comfort items (for children): games, crayons, writing materials and teddy bears 
 
 
 

Emergency home survival kits should contain a minimum of 72-hours worth of emergency supplies for home disaster preparedness.  
 
Household Disaster Kit: Electrical, water, transportation, and other vital systems can be disrupted for several days. Emergency response agencies and hospitals will likely be overwhelmed and unable to provide 
immediate assistance. To help your family cope after a disaster, store a household disaster kit in an easily accessible location, preferably outdoors (not in your garage). This kit, which compliments your personal disaster kits, should be in a large watertight container that can be easily moved and should hold at least a 3- to 5-day supply of the following items:  
 
Drinking water (minimum one gallon per person per day)   
First aid supplies, medications, and essential hygiene 
items, such as soap, toothpaste, and toilet paper  
 
Emergency lighting—light sticks and (or) a working flashlight with extra batteries and light bulbs 
(hand-powered flashlights are also available)  
 
A hand-cranked or battery-operated radio (and spare batteries)  
 
Canned and packaged foods and cooking utensils, including a manual can opener  

Items to protect you from the elements: warm clothing, sturdy shoes, extra socks, blankets, a tent  
 
Heavy-duty plastic bags for waste and to serve other uses, such as tarps and rain ponchos  
 
Work gloves and protective goggles  
 
Pet food and pet restraints  
 
Copies of vital documents, such as insurance policies and personal identification (How about your pet's shot records?)

NOTE: Replace perishable items like water, food, medications, and batteries on a yearly basis.  
 
 

Emergency car survival kits should contain a minimum of 72-hours worth of emergency supplies for car disaster preparedness. 
 
Emergency Car Kit Contents: 
    Water – 12 8 oz. boxes or pouches of water (5 year life) 
    Food – 15 - Meal Size Energy Bars (5 year life)  
    Warmth/Shelter - 2  Emergency Blankets
      4 - 12 hr. Body Warmers (jacket, rain gear)
      Emergency Poncho

     Medical Supplies
      First Aid/Medical Kit
      Pill box
      3 pair Medical Gloves

    Lighting - 2 – “D” Flashlight with batteries, 6 Light sticks or a wind-up flashlight
    Radio - 1 – AM/FM Emergency Radio with batteries or a wind-up radio

     Support Supplies
      2  whistles
      6 pairs work gloves
      6 dust masks
      2 pack wet wipes
      2 Pocket Tissue  Packages
      2  (30 Gallon) Plastic Bags
      6 (10 Gallon) Plastic Bags
      1 pack waterproof matches
      1 multifunction tool
      2 hygiene kits

    Packaging – One Bag or bucket with handle

Remember: Your survival, and that of your family, starts with YOU! Do it NOW! 

If you don't prepare, who will?

  ----These tips are adapted from the US government site on emergency preparedness

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