What to Keep in a Disaster Kit

The secret to coping as calmly as possible with an emergency is to be ready before it happens. Earthquakes, hurricanes, blizzards, and other natural disasters are unnerving enough. When they cut off access to power, water, groceries, and other necessities, they can be both frightening and disorienting. But if you’ve stockpiled essentials ahead of time and coached your family on disaster preparedness, you will have as much protection as you can.

A 30-gallon trash can, a large plastic storage bin, or any other durable, reasonably light container with a tight-fitting lid will make a fine disaster kit. Store the kit in a garage, basement, or any out-of-the-way place that is large enough to accommodate it and reasonably easy to get to. (You won’t want to climb into the attic in some types of emergencies.)

1. Tools. Pipe and crescent wrenches, screwdriver, crowbar, and any tools required to turn off utilities if necessary. Ask your utility companies how to turn off gas, water, and electricity in an emergency. Don’t turn off the gas unless you’re certain there is a leak. You may have to wait days to have it restarted by the gas company.

2. Heavy protective gloves.

3. Candles and matches. Keep them in a watertight container within the kit.

4. Battery-operated radio.

5. Flashlight.

6. Extra batteries for radio and flashlight.

7. Fire extinguisher.

8. “Swiss Army” knife.

9. Can opener.

10. Eating utensils.

11. Disposable plates (paper, Styrofoam, or plastic).

12. Aluminum foil.

13. Plastic trash bags.

14. Extra blankets. You can buy emergency foil blankets (which store very compactly) at camping or sporting goods stores.

15. First-aid kit.

16. Personal items. Pack toothbrushes, toothpaste, razor, combs, soap, and other items your family will want for personal hygiene.

17. Warm clothes and sturdy shoes. The shoes can be especially important if floors are covered with broken glass. A heavy sweater for each family member will come in handy if your home is without heat. If you live in an earthquake zone, keep your sturdy shoes under the bed in case a quake hits at night. If you need to be prepared for a severe weather disaster or an evacuation, store the shoes and warm clothes near the top of the kit where they’ll be easy to get to.

18. Money. Hide enough cash to get your family by for at least three days.

19. Nonperishable food. Store enough prepared food that doesn’t need heating to feed your family for at least three days. It’s a good idea to choose foods your family enjoys (and to include candy bars and other treats) to keep morale and energy up. To keep your emergency stash fresh, rotate the food (including canned goods) into your pantry at least every year and substitute with newly purchased items.

20. Bottled drinking water. One gallon per person, per day for at least three days is the rule of thumb. Store water in airtight containers and keep the jugs away from gasoline or other products with poisonous fumes. Replace the stored water twice a year (changing the water when you turn your clocks for daylight savings will help you remember to do it) and use the old water to drench the garden.

21. Bleach or disinfectant tablets. If water has been contaminated with bacteria, you can purify it by adding a teaspoon of bleach per gallon of water or disinfectant tablets according to the manufacturer’s directions