Disaster Preparedness Kits
Emergencies and disasters can result in one of two broad options: evacuate or shelter in place. Planning ahead for either choice will help you get by or even survive. The supplies you gather and bag or kit you build will depend on how you will use it later.
It is important to have a battery operated radio so you can make an informed decision on what to do. For more information see the Emergency Preparedness page.
Grab-and-Go kits usually hold enough supplies for one person, and may be contained in a backpack. These should be set up to grab in the event of immediate evacuation in the face of flood, wildfire, earthquake or other immediate evcauation causing event.
A short list might contain:
Flash light, spare batteries, battery/solar/wind up radio, matches, gloves, utility knife or Leatheman tool, duct tape, cordage or rope, hand sanitizer, small first aid kit, spare glasses, spare medication, cash money, spare clothes set, tooth brush, toilet paper, zip lock baggies, freeze dry food, bowl and spoon, non-powered can opener, deck of cards.
Plan on one gallon of water per person per day. Plan for three days for the short term. Dryed camping food is lighter than canned food.
That is a short, and by no means complete list! Check multiple sources and go with what will work for you. Remember this should all fit in a small backpack, one per person. School age children should also have their own packs so they feel included and that they have some control in what can be a chaotic situation.
Disaster Kits or Survival Kits which one may need when sheltering in place due to volcanic ash fall, bad winter weather, flood, chemical release or other disaster when a person must stay put because it is more safe to stay where you are. It should be built with the intent to stay in place for a longer period of time. Plan for at least seven days. In Alaska, due to the distance from food warehouses and shipping considerations, planning on two weeks is not considered unreasonable.
A short list might include:
Food, canned or packeaged, non-powered can opener, water: 1 gallon per person per day. Don't forget the pets! Battery/solar/crank radio, flashlights, spare batteries, medication, spare glasses, plastic buckets (for all sorts of uses including temporary toilets), toilet paper, garbage bags, waterproof matches, candles, diapers, baby food, big first aid kit, tarps, duct tape, assorted tools, tent, sleeping bag, utility knife or Leatherman tool, non-powered entertainment: deck of cards, games, books.
It is important to remember that many natural gas furnaces are electronically started. If the power goes out, a back up heat source such as a properly installed wood stove in necessary. Do NOT use propane cook stoves or heaters in an enclosed building due to risk of death by carbon monoxide poisoning.
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