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Step 1: Get A Kit 
Ready America Emergency Supply List
You may need to survive on your own after an emergency. This means having your own food, water, and other supplies in sufficient quantity to last for at least three days. Local officials and relief workers will be on the scene after a disaster, but they cannot reach everyone immediately. You could get help in hours, or it might take days. In addition, basic services such as electricity, gas, water, sewage treatment, and telephones may be cut off for days, or even a week or longer. 

Recommended Items to Include in a Basic Emergency Supply Kit:

Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation 
Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food 
Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both 
Flashlight and extra batteries 
First aid kit 
Whistle to signal for help 
Dust mask, to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place 
Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation 
Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities 
Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food) 
Local maps
Cell phone with chargers


Additional Items to Consider Adding to an Emergency Supply Kit:

Prescription medications and glasses 
Infant formula and diapers 
Pet food and extra water for your pet 
Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container 
Cash or traveler's checks and change 
Emergency reference material such as a first aid book or information from www.ready.gov 
Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person. Consider additional bedding if you live in a cold-weather climate. 
Complete change of clothing including a long sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes. Consider additional clothing if you live in a cold-weather climate. 
Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper – When diluted nine parts water to one part bleach, bleach can be used as a disinfectant. Or in an emergency, you can use it to treat water by using 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water. Do not use scented, color safe or bleaches with added cleaners. 
Fire Extinguisher 
Matches in a waterproof container 
Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items 
Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils, paper towels 
Paper and pencil 
Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children 


Through its Ready Campaign, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security educates and empowers Americans to take some simple steps to prepare for and respond to potential emergencies, including natural disasters and terrorist attacks. Ready asks individuals to do three key things: get an emergency supply kit, make a family emergency plan, and be informed about the different types of emergencies that could occur and their appropriate responses.

All Americans should have some basic supplies on hand in order to survive for at least three days if an emergency occurs. Following is a listing of some basic items that every emergency supply kit should include. However, it is important that individuals review this list and consider where they live and the unique needs of their family in order to create an emergency supply kit that will meet these needs. Individuals should also consider having at least two emergency supply kits, one full kit at home and smaller portable kits in their workplace, vehicle or other places they spend time.

Water 
Food
Food Safety 
Clean Air 
First Aid Kit 
Unique Family Needs 
Military Family Preparedness 
Older Americans 
People with Disabilities and Other Special Needs 
Pet Items

Downloadable Forms & Media
View Ready Instructional Videos
Printer-friendly list of supplies - HTML Version
View a list of recommended supplies - PDF Version