Having an emergency kit of supplies ready and on hand for an emergency is a good idea. Priorities would include the basics for survival: water, food, warmth. Here are some things to consider putting in your individual or family emergency kit:

Recommended Items To Include In A Basic Emergency Supply Kit:

Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation.

Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food

• Foods that require no refrigeration, cooking or little water
• Battery-powered or hand-crank can opener
• Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits and vegetables
• Protein or fruit bars
• Dry cereal or granola
• Peanut butter
• Dried fruit, nuts
• Crackers
• Canned juices
• Non-perishable pasteurized milk

Radio, battery-powered or hand crank radio

• extra batteries

Flashlight and extra batteries

First aid kit

• Latex, or other sterile gloves
• Sterile dressings, Adhesive bandages
• Cleansing agent/soap and antibiotic towelettes
• Antibiotic ointment
• Burn ointment
• Eye wash solution
• Thermometer
• Prescription medications you take every day such as insulin, heart medicine and asthma inhalers. You should periodically rotate medicines to account for expiration dates.
• Prescribed medical supplies such as glucose and blood pressure monitoring equipment and supplies
• OTC medications: aspirin, non-aspirin pain reliever, laxative, anti-diarrheal, stomach-soother/antacid
• Petroleum jelly
• Scissors, tweezers

Whistle to signal for help

Dust mask, to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place

Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation

Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities

For more details: http://www.ready.gov/america/getakit/index.html

For a downloadable emergency list: http://www.ready.gov/america/_downloads/checklist.pdf

Additional Items To Consider Adding To An Emergency Supply Kit:

• Prescription medications and glasses
• Infant formula and diapers
• Pet food and extra water for your pet
• Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container
• Cash or traveler's checks and change
• Emergency reference material such as a first aid book or information from www.ready.gov
• Complete change of clothing including a long sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes.
• Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper – When diluted nine parts water to one part bleach, bleach can be used as a disinfectant. Or in an emergency, you can use it to treat water by using 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water.
• Fire Extinguisher
• Matches in a waterproof container
• Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
• Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils, paper towels
• Paper and pens
• Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children

For other special needs: Older Americans: http://www.ready.gov/america/getakit/seniors.html

Disabled: http://www.ready.gov/america/getakit/disabled.html

Pets: http://www.ready.gov/america/getakit/pets.html