Changes of clothes and extra shoes for each family member – keep the climate in mind and choose accordingly
Protective clothing such as rain ponchos
Can opener and other useful kitchen utensils
First aid kit and instructions on how to perform basic first aid
Toilet paper, moist towelettes and, for women, sanitary napkins or tampons
Infant items such as formula or diapers
A portable, battery-powered radio
Medications, contact lens cases and solutions, soap, disinfectant spray, toothpaste and toothbrushes, and any other special-needs items
Plastic eating utensils and plastic plates or bowls
Blankets or sleeping bags, enough for everyone
A three-day supply of food and water
A deck of cards, crayons, or other small things to keep family members occupied
Cash and change – at least quarters
When choosing what foods to store with your disaster supplies kit, there are several things to remember. You should pack canned foods and mixes that don’t require a lot of preparation or effort; remember, you’re worried about survival, not taste value. You don’t want foods that require that you use up your valuable water supply, either, unless it’s just a few tablespoons to add to a dry mix. Include foods that won’t make you thirsty – foods with high sodium content will do just that, so check labels. Choose canned fruits and vegetables with a high liquid content, as these can aid in the prevention of dehydration.
You should stock up on water – at least one gallon per person per day. So in a four-person household, for example, you’d need a minimum of twelve gallons. The elderly, nursing mothers, and people who are ill need more water; if it’s hot weather, you’ll also require extra. It’s best to buy commercially bottled water, but you can bottle your own tap water in empty two-liter soda bottles. Use these rather than glass or cardboard containers (such as juice cartons) – cardboard isn’t designed for long-term water storage and can harbor bacteria, and glass is too cumbersome and heavy (not to mention breakable!). Sanitize the soda bottles by swishing in them a solution of one teaspoon bleach and one quart hot water. After you do this, rinse them well, fill them to the top with water, and securely tighten the original cap. Date the bottles and store them in a cool, dark place. If you do use tap water, replace it every six months. Commercially bottled water will be fine until the “use by” date, unless they’ve been opened.
In the case that you run out of water, there are safe and unsafe sources to acquire more. Safe sources include: