DISASTER PREPAREDNESS
"Grab and Go" Disaster Kits
A portable 3-day disaster kit allows you to “grab and go” in the event you need to evacuate your home or workplace in a hurry. A duffle bag or backpack is a perfect size (in a larger household, make several kits). Keeping a kit in your vehicle increases the likelihood that wherever you are, your kit will be nearby.
Your kit should contain a 3-day supply of water, food, first aid, medications, and emergency supplies.
This suggested list of contents includes the common essentials to help 2 people survive for 3 days:
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2 quarts of bottled drinking water per person. Consider using Coast Guard-approved 5-year shelf life water packets (each packet contains 4.2 oz.), available from the Red Cross, outdoor recreation suppliers and online retailers.
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2,400 calories of non-perishable food per person. Consider using Coast Guard-approved 5-year shelf life food bars (each bar contains 400 to 2,400-calories), available from the Red Cross, outdoor recreation suppliers and online retailers.
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Portable AM/FM radio with extra batteries. Consider a wind-up charging type that won’t require batteries, available from the Red Cross, electronics stores, outdoor recreation suppliers and online retailers.
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2 flashlights with extra batteries. Consider a wind-up charging type that won’t require batteries, available from the Red Cross, outdoor recreation suppliers and online retailers.
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4 12-hour lightsticks available from the Red Cross, outdoor recreation suppliers and online retailers.
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4 body/hand warmers available from the Red Cross, outdoor recreation suppliers and online retailers.
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2 emergency survival blankets available from the Red Cross, outdoor recreation suppliers and online retailers.
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2 pair work gloves
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2 dust masks
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1 collapsible water container (2.5 gal.) available from outdoor recreation suppliers and online retailers.
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1 plastic tarp for sheltering in place.
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1 roll duct tape
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1 rope (50’) |
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2 rain ponchos |
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2 whistles to signal for help. |
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1 first aid kit with 1-week supply of critical medications and favorite over-the-counter products (anti-diarrheal, headache, etc.); list of prescriptions/allergies/medical conditions; doctor contact information. |
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2 hygiene supply packets (tissues, moist towelettes, toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, absorbent towels, etc.) |
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6 plastic bags with ties for personal sanitation. |
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2 bottles of hand sanitizer (2 oz. each) |
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1 CPR mouth-to-mouth barrier mask |
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Extra pair of eye glasses / contact lenses |
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Local county and state road maps |
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Emergency Contact / Rendezvous Card |
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| Writing supplies including ball point pens, stamped envelopes, and blank sheets of paper |
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Waterproof matches and fire starters available from outdoor recreation suppliers. |
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| The 4-in-1 Emergency Tool available from the Red Cross and online retailers. |