No one knows when disaster will strike, but we can all be prepared. Create your own 72-hour emergency kit and you will have the necessary items to help you and your family until emergency responders can reach you. Below are items you may want to include in your kit.
Food and water (3 day supply of non perishables)
- protein/granola bars
- trail mix/dried fruit
- crackers and cereals
- canned meat, fish and beans
- canned juice
- 4L water per person
Bedding and clothing
- Change of clothing (short and long sleeve shirts, pants, socks, undergarments)
- Raincoat/poncho/jacket
- Spare shoes
- Sleeping bags, blankets, emergency heat blankets
- Plastic and cloth sheets
Light and fuel
- Hand-crank flashlight or battery-operated flashlights/lamps
- Extra batteries
- Flares
- Candles
- Lighter
- Waterproof matches
Equipment
- Manual can opener
- Dishes and utensils
- Shovel
- Radio
- Pen and paper
- Axe/pocket knife
- Rope
- Duct tape
- Whistle
- Cell phone charger
- Basic tools
- Small stove with fuel (follow manufacturer's directions for operations and storage)
Personal supplies and medication
- First-aid kit
- Toiletries (toilet paper, feminine hygiene, toothbrush)
- Cleaning supplies (hand sanitizer, dish soap etc.)
- Medication (acetaminophin, ibuprofen, and a 3-day supply of prescriptions)
- Garbage bags
- Toys/reading material
Pets
- Food, supplies, medications, leash
- Keep a carrier or crate in case of evacuation
- Small blanket
Copies of personal documents and money (waterproof container)
- Legal documents (birth and marriage certificates, wills, passports, contracts)
- Insurance policies
- Cash in small bills
- Credit cards
- Prepaid phone cards
- Copy of your emergency plan and contact information
Ready-to-go Kit
Keep ready to go kit items in a backpack, duffle bag or suitcase. Make sure your kit is easy to carry and that everyone in the house knows where it is.
- 4L of water for each person
- Non-perishable food
- Manual can opener
- Plastic/paper plates, cups, knives, forks, spoons
- Flashlight with extra batteries
- Change of clothes
- Write down phone numbers in case cell phone batteries run out
- The number of someone to call who lives outside of town
- Pet food and supplies, carrier or crate
- Small first aid kit
- Personal ID
- Personal hygiene items (soap, hand sanitizer)
- Store medicine you regularly take near your ready-to-go kit.
We recommend updating your kit every six months to make sure food and medication have not expired, personal documents are up to date and batteries are charged. Small toys, games and books are important as they can help to provide comfort during a stressful situation. Keeping items in individual Ziploc bags may help to prevent leaks.
The Red Cross provides ready made kits available here: http://www.redcross.ca/how-we-help/emergencies-and-disasters-in-canada/for-home-and-family/get-a-kit.
