Marines

Unit HomeBuild a KitEmergency Kits

Emergency Kits

 

 

Building emergency kits can seem like a daunting task. You can build a kit all at once or build it over time, selecting items to buy each time you go shopping. You may already have some items around the house you could gather as well. Consider hosting a treasure hunt for your children where they can Build a Kit with hidden emergency supplies.

Bottom line—having all your supplies in a single location in your house that everyone, young or old, can locate and access means you will have what you need, when you need it.

 

 

What to put in your basic home kit

Necessary Items

  • Water—at least one gallon per person per day for at least three days

  • Food—nonperishable food to support everyone in the household for at least three days (Include canned goods with low salt and high liquid content.)

  • Manual can opener

  • First aid kit

  • Prescription medications—enough for at least three days

  • N95 respirators

  • Dust masks or cotton t-shirts for every member of the household to help filter the air

  • Personal sanitation supplies—items such as moist towelettes (one container for every two people in the household), garbage bags, and plastic ties

  • Flashlight—one flashlight for every two people in the household

  • Battery-powered or hand-crank radio

  • All-hazards NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) weather radio

  • Extra batteries—sizes and quantities based on flashlights, radios, and other items in kit)

  • Money (at a minimum, $100 in local currency, small denomination bills)

  • Wrench or pliers for turning off utilities

  • Local maps and your emergency plan

  • Your command personnel accountability Point of Contact information

  • Important personal and financial documents—printed copies or electronic copies on a durable storage media such as a thumb drive and stored in waterproof container

 

Additional items

  • Infant formula—enough for at least three days

  • Diapers—enough for at least three days

  • Food and water for your pet—enough for at least three days

  • Items for individuals with special needs, such as wheelchair batteries or other medical equipment or supplies

  • Paper plates, paper cups, plastic utensils, paper towels

  • Disinfectant

  • Matches in a waterproof container

  • Whistle to signal for help

  • Sturdy shoes

  • Hats and gloves (Seasonal)

  • Sleeping bag or other weather-appropriate bedding for each person

  • A weather-appropriate change of clothes for each person

  • Coats, jackets, and rain gear (Seasonal)

  • Fire extinguisher

  • Paper and pencil

  • Books, games, puzzles, toys, and other activities for children

  • Any items necessary for a specific type of disaster and to assist you during electricity, gas, water, and sewage outages. Additionally, you may want to consider having supplies for sheltering for up to two weeks.

 

Maintaining your kit

  • Make sure to constantly evaluate your kit and their relevance to the threats in your area.

  • Throw away and replace any expired or damaged medications, food, or water.

 

 

Customize your Kit 

  • Take this kit with you when you are ordered to evacuate.

  • Place items in a designated area that will be easily accessible in the event of an emergency.

  • Make sure every member of your family knows where the kit is.

  • If you are required to shelter in place, keep this kit with you.

  • In the event that you are stranded while driving, keep this kit in your vehicle at all times.

  • This kit should contain at a minimum: food, water, flashlights and extra batteries, first aid kit and necessary medications, signal flares, repair tools, portable AM/FM radio, seasonal items (coat, rain gear, engine fluids, shovel, ice scraper, warm clothes, gloves), comfortable/sturdy shoes, and blankets or sleeping bags.

  • Also consider: cell phone and phone charger, reflective triangle, and baby formula and diapers if you have a small child.

  • Make sure you include your family’s communications plan.

  • This kit should be portable enough to be maintained at your workplace; you may need to evacuate from work or shelter up to 24 hours.

  • Make sure you include comfortable walking shoes in case you have to walk long distances.

  • This kit should include, at minimum, food, water, and a first aid kit.

  • Make sure you include your family’s communications plan.

 


Set your own course through any hazard: stay informed, make a plan, build a kit. Live Ready Marine Corps.