Make a Kit

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There are various types of emergency kits that are suited for different needs:

Household (whole family) Disaster Kit
Individual (personal) Disaster Kit
Vehicle Disaster Kit
Workplace Personal Disaster Kit s
Prepare un kit de suministros (Ready.gov, Spanish version: Build a Kit)

Families with pets or service animals should include in their kits a three (3) day supply of pet food and water. Copies of pet registration, vaccinations and other important documents. Also, make sure to include photos of your pet in case you are separated during an emergency, a collar with an ID tag, harness or leash.

Household (whole family) Disaster Kit:

A household (whole family) disaster kit is a larger kit usually not intended to be portable to take with you. Along with a household disaster kit, each member of the household should have a smaller individual (personal) kit that is smaller and portable and meant to be grabbed and taken with the individual.

A household kit is a collection of food, water and other emergency supplies to allow you to be self-sustaining at home following an emergency. A household kit should provide enough food and water for each person for a minimum of three (3) days; however, seven (7) to ten (10) days is highly recommended. There should be enough water to equal 1 gallon of water per person, per day.

Kits can be purchased commercially or simply put together in a bin or large utility bag. Kits should be stored indoors. Make sure to check expiration dates and rotate food, water and over the counter medication as necessary.

Individual (personal) Disaster Kit:

An individual (personal) disaster kit is meant to be portable and sustain the individual for three (3) to five (5) days. Along with small portable individual kits, you should have a household (whole family) disaster kit. An individual disaster kit should be in a duffle bag or backpack and kept within easy access of the individual (such as next to or under a bed or by a door).

An individual kit is a collection of food, water and other emergency supplies to sustain an individual during an emergency. An individual kit should provide enough food and water for a person for a minimum of three (3) to five (5) days. There should be enough water to equal 1 gallon of water per person, per day.

Make sure to check expiration dates and rotate food, water and over the counter medication as necessary.

Vehicle Disaster Kit:

A vehicle disaster kit is meant to be portable and sustain the individual for up to three (3) days. It is meant to allow occupants of the vehicle to survive if the vehicle becomes stuck in a storm or to take with them if the occupants must abandon the vehicle on foot.

A vehicle disaster kit should be in a duffle bag or backpack. There are also items that are recommended that you keep in your vehicle at all times such as:

Ice scraper, snow brush, rags and paper towels.
Jumper cables and no-freeze windshield washer fluid.
Bag of sand, gravel, or cat litter for extra traction.

NOTE: If you are stuck in a storm, it is best to remain with the vehicle until help arrives. Attempting to leave the vehicle in a storm is dangerous and should only be a last resort.

Workplace Personal Disaster Kit:

A workplace personal disaster kit is meant to be small enough to keep under your desk and portable enough to take with you. A workplace personal disaster kit should be in a duffle bag or backpack and kept under your desk or in a cabinet at work. It should sustain the individual for three (3) to five (5) days.