Good
- GO BAG (see 3-Day Go Bag)
- Develop an Emergency Plan29: Ensure all household members know what to do, where to go, and how to contact each other if separated. Create a communication plan and designate a meeting location30.
- Five, one-gallon water jugs (or storage equivalent) per adult and one gallon per day per child31
- Non-perishable food for each person (minimum 3 days)32
- Infant supplies (formula, diapers, wipes, bottles)
- Medications: Maintain a one-week supply of prescribed medications, EpiPins, and inhalers. Cold storage medicines like insulin will require a cooler.
- Full tank of gas, always run on top half, you will have to fill it sometime anyway
- Flashlight, headlamp, or LED lantern33, USB/Battery rechargeable per34 person
- Pet Care: Ensure pets are safe, fed, and have access to water and shelter.
- Spare batteries, AAA, AA, C, etc. Your car and a USB cord are your largest power bank
- Radio35; Battery/USB or hand crank powered
- Alternative fuel and means for cooking: one burner propane stove, portable charcoal stove, camp stove, or pre-plan with family or friends who have this stuff36. DO NOT BURN FUEL INDOORS!! Open flame candles are discouraged.
- Manual can opener or key chain P38
- One package of towelettes per person
- Cash on Hand: ATMs and card readers may not work. Keep small bills and coins available. $100 per adult, in small bills, is a good baseline.
- List of emergency contacts
- Consider any individual’s special needs not covered above.
Better
- All items included under Good
- FRS Radio with emergency channels and NOAA channels
- Five-gallon gasoline container – Full; two if you have room37
- One five-gallon bucket filled with charcoal briquettes and a firmly attached lid
Betterer
- All items included under Good & Better
- 72 hr. Dehydrated food kit like this, times two8
- A means to cook. i.e., Backpacking gas stove, and gas canister or mess kit, gas stove & cookware, solar oven
- Honda Generator or similar
- A portable charger power bank like this, or this solar charger (example only)
Resource Links
- Heat Survival Plan – See section
- FEMA Power Outage Information Sheet
- Battery Backup for Medical Devices
- Refrigerated medicine plan
- Ready.gov
Footnotes
29 Make a Plan @ Ready.gov’s Are You Ready Guide on pg. 14
30 The iPhone version 14 or newer has a built-in satellite-based texting feature that does not need cell service to operate. A similar feature is available on Android phones. An excellent means to communicate during unusual occurrences.
31 This is in addition to your go bag water allowance and would be used for washing, cooking, cleaning, flushing, etc.
32 Think canned food, Mac ‘n Cheese, Ramen, energy bars, dried fruits, nuts, dehydrated foods, etc.
33 Children might fare better with a small lantern. They are stable, don’t need to be held, inexpensive, and you can find them again when they are done.
34 Yes, you could have candles on hand or a Coleman lantern. Candles are a fire hazard, and the lantern is a burn and carbon monoxide hazard. All three create the potential for new emergencies if not handled correctly.
35 For local news, weather, NOAA emergency broadcasts, family communication
36 We once visited a humble family in Honduras whose primary stove was built from three cinderblocks and a 12’x12’ grill with a few lumps of charcoal for heat
37 For your car or generator
38 Remember, dehydrated food will require a backpacking stove and bowls