Build a Kit | Ready.gov (2024)

Build a Kit | Ready.gov (1)

Being prepared for an emergency isn't just about staying safe during a storm or a disaster. It's also about how to stay comfortable, clean, fed, and healthy afterwards—when a storm or disaster may have knocked out electricity.

If you lost power, how would you eat? The refrigerator wouldn’t keep your food cold. The microwave couldn’t warm things up. You might not get clean water out of your faucets. How would you find out if it was safe to play outside? Not from your TV or computer!

If power is out, you also might not be able to go to the store or the bank. Being prepared means having your own food, water, cash, and other supplies to last for at least three days, and possibly longer if you are in a remote or hard-to-reach area.

Build a Kit | Ready.gov (2)

Play the Build a Kit Game

You're on a mission--find what you need and build an emergency kit! Will you pick the correct items?

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What should go in your kit?

Remember that your kit will depend on your own needs. Once you take a look at the basic items, consider what unique needs your family might have, such as supplies for pets or seniors.Use the list below to get started:

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  • Water—at least a gallon per person, per day
  • Non-perishable food (such as dried fruit, peanut butter, or energy bars)
  • First aid kit
  • Cash
  • Prescription medicines
  • Extra batteries or an alternative power source
  • Matches in a waterproof container (allow an adult to help)
  • Toothbrush, toothpaste, soap
  • Paper plates, plastic cups and utensils, paper towels
  • Battery-powered or hand-cranked radio
  • Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person
  • Flashlights
  • Whistle to signal for help
  • Can opener (manual)
  • Local maps
  • Pet and service animal supplies
  • Baby supplies (formula, diapers, etc.)
  • Extra pair of eyeglasses

Downloadable Resources

Find printable checklists and start building your kit today.

Emergency Checklist (Kids)

Build a Kit | Ready.gov (4)

Emergency Checklist (Parents)

Build a Kit | Ready.gov (5)
Build a Kit | Ready.gov (2024)

FAQs

How to get a free emergency kit? ›

The Emergency Financial First Aid Kit is available for free from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

What are 10 items in an emergency kit for an earthquake? ›

From Shutting Off Gas to Purifying Water: Must-Have Tools for Repair and Survival After an Earthquake
  • Flashlight with extra batteries in every room.
  • Fire extinguisher.
  • Duct tape.
  • Work gloves.
  • Matches in a waterproof container.
  • Knife, pliers and scissors.
  • Local maps (paper)
  • Manual can opener.

What are the top 7 survival items? ›

These 7 basic survival kit components are: food, water, first aid, warmth & shelter, sanitation & hygiene, lighting & communication and other survival gear.

What are 3 items needed for survival? ›

What Do You Need In A Survival Kit?
  • Water: one gallon per person, per day (3-day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for home)
  • Food: non-perishable, easy-to-prepare items (3-day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for home)
  • Flashlight.
  • Battery-powered or hand-crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio, if possible)

What should you have in a go bag? ›

Include the following items in each Go Bag:

Food – 3-day supply. Warmth/Shelter – Emergency blanket, 3 12-hour body warmers, poncho. Medical Supplies – First Aid/medical kit, pain reliever, 3 pairs of medical gloves, and a 3-7 day supply of any required life-saving medications as well as copies of prescriptions.

What food to bring during a natural disaster? ›

Some examples of foods to include are: Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits and vegetables. Protein or fruit bars. Dry cereal or granola and dried fruit.

Do it yourself tornado kit? ›

Recommended Supplies to Include in a Basic Kit:
  1. Backpack or storage tub to hold your supplies.
  2. Bottled Water. ...
  3. Non-Perishable food. ...
  4. Flashlight with extra batteries.
  5. First Aid Supplies. ...
  6. Tissues.
  7. Toilet paper and bags with ties for personal sanitation.
  8. Paper and pen or pencil (to take notes, play games, etc)

What are 4 things every emergency kit should have? ›

Emergency kit supply list
  • Non-perishable food: minimum three-day to one-week supply, with a manual can opener.
  • Water: four litres per person, per day for drinking and sanitation.
  • Phone charger, power bank or inverter.
  • Battery-powered or hand-crank radio.
  • Battery-powered or hand-crank flashlight.
  • Extra batteries.
May 9, 2024

What are 3 items that should be in a emergency kit? ›

Building an Emergency Kit

This includes clean water for at least three days, non-perishable food items that do not require heat to prepare, drinking water tablets, warm clothing, and emergency blankets.

How to make your own survival food kit? ›

Include a selection of the following foods in your short-term Disaster Supplies Kit:
  1. Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits and vegetables.
  2. Canned juices, milk, soup (if powdered, store extra water)
  3. Staples " sugar, salt, pepper.
  4. High energy foods " peanut butter, jelly, crackers, granola bars, trail mix.

What should be in a doomsday kit? ›

What should go in your kit?
  • Water—at least a gallon per person, per day.
  • Non-perishable food (such as dried fruit, peanut butter, or energy bars)
  • First aid kit.
  • Cash.
  • Prescription medicines.
  • Extra batteries or an alternative power source.
  • Matches in a waterproof container (allow an adult to help)
  • Toothbrush, toothpaste, soap.
Dec 12, 2023

What should not be included in a first aid kit? ›

Medications in first aid kits

It is recommended that medicines are not kept in a first aid kit. If you keep medicines for yourself or your family, such as paracetamol and aspirin for pain relief, they should be kept secure and out of reach of children.

What's in your bug out bag? ›

Extra clothing, raingear, an all-purpose knife, fishing line, fire-starting materials, and pertinent up-to-date maps are examples of other goods commonly contained in a bug out bag.

What are 10 items in an emergency kit for a tornado? ›

Recommended Supplies to Include in a Basic Kit:
  • Backpack or storage tub to hold your supplies.
  • Bottled Water. ...
  • Non-Perishable food. ...
  • Flashlight with extra batteries.
  • First Aid Supplies. ...
  • Tissues.
  • Toilet paper and bags with ties for personal sanitation.
  • Paper and pen or pencil (to take notes, play games, etc)

What to put in a survival kit? ›

What should go in your kit?
  1. Water—at least a gallon per person, per day.
  2. Non-perishable food (such as dried fruit, peanut butter, or energy bars)
  3. First aid kit.
  4. Cash.
  5. Prescription medicines.
  6. Extra batteries or an alternative power source.
  7. Matches in a waterproof container (allow an adult to help)
  8. Toothbrush, toothpaste, soap.
Dec 12, 2023

What is inside a survival kit? ›

Water – 3 bottles. Food – 3-day supply. Warmth/Shelter – Emergency blanket, 3 12-hour body warmers, poncho. Medical Supplies – First Aid/medical kit, pain reliever, 3 pairs of medical gloves, and a 3-7 day supply of any required life-saving medications as well as copies of prescriptions.

What is the survival show where they get 10 items? ›

Alone is an American survival competition series on History. It follows the self-documented daily struggles of 10 individuals (seven paired teams in season 4) as they survive alone in the wilderness for as long as possible using a limited amount of survival equipment.

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