Home Emergency Kit

What to pack

From the guide’s own packing list. Tick each one as you go. Your ticks stay on this device. These are examples; your home may need others.

• About one gallon of water per person per day, plus extra for pets, for at least several days.
• Non perishable food that needs little or no cooking, and a manual can opener.
• A flashlight, a battery or hand crank radio, extra batteries and a whistle to signal for help.
• A first aid kit, a supply of any daily medicines, and copies of prescriptions.
• Phone chargers and a battery pack, plus a little cash in small bills.
• Copies of important documents and emergency contacts in a waterproof bag.
• Dust masks, work gloves, sturdy shoes, a change of clothes and a blanket for each person.
• Anything babies, older adults, pets and anyone with medical equipment will need.

All done. Your kit is ready. Set a reminder to refresh it in about six months.

When an emergency happens

1. Stay calm and make sure everyone is safe. Call 911 if anyone is hurt or in danger.
2. Follow instructions from local officials, whether that means staying in place or evacuating right away.
3. If told to leave, grab your kit, pets and medicine, and go. Never wait to gather belongings.
4. Head to your agreed meeting place, and check in with your out of area contact. Texts often get through when calls don’t.
5. Stay out of damaged buildings, floodwater and areas near downed power lines.
6. Once safe, share any damage to the home in writing, with photos, so repairs can begin.

Pick one friend or relative who lives out of the area as your family’s contact. During local emergencies, long distance calls and texts often get through more easily.

A few things to avoid

• Please don’t store the kit somewhere hard to reach, like a high attic shelf or behind heavy boxes.
• Please don’t forget pets. They need food, water, a leash or carrier and copies of their records too.
• Please don’t rely only on your phone for contacts. Write important numbers on paper too.
• Please don’t let the kit sit untouched for years. Food, water, batteries and medicine all expire.

Keep a pair of sturdy shoes and a flashlight by every bed. If something happens at night, broken glass and darkness are easier to handle.

Getting the home ready

From the guide’s planning list. Your ticks stay on this device. These are examples; your home may need others.

• Share where the main water shutoff, gas shutoff (if any) and breaker panel are, and how to use them safely.
• Make sure smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are working, and that fire extinguishers are in place.
• Secure tall furniture, water heaters and heavy items where earthquakes are a concern.
• Clear dry brush and debris from around the home where wildfires are a concern.
• Share emergency contact information and the best way to reach you during a crisis.
• Consider leaving a simple home emergency information sheet in a known spot.

All done. Everyone in the home knows where things are and how to reach each other.

Know your local risks

Every area has its own risks. Take a few minutes to learn which ones matter most where your home is, and plan for those first. A few examples:

• Earthquakes: Drop, Cover and Hold On.
• Wildfires: know your evacuation zone and leave early.
• Floods: never walk or drive through floodwater.

Two ways out of every room: walk through the home together and find two ways out of each room. Make sure windows open easily and nothing blocks the doors. For more, see Ready.gov: Build a Kit.

Guides that go well with this one

• Home Fire Escape Plans
• Storms and Power Outages
• Earthquake Readiness
• Flood Readiness
• Hurricane Readiness