What You Should Keep In Your Emergency Safety Kit

6/5/2017 (Permalink)

We’re thrilled to be partnered with the American Red Cross as a Disaster Responder because here at SERVPRO of Tustin, we’re always “Ready for Whatever Happens” and we want you to be too! You never know when a disaster may strike, so it is important to have an emergency preparedness kit ready to go at a moment’s notice to use at home or to take with you in the event you must evacuate.

According to our friends at the American Red Cross, you should, at minimum, have the basic supplies listed below:

• 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)


• Extra batteries


• First aid kit


• Medications (7-day supply) and medical items


• Multi-purpose tool


• Sanitation and personal hygiene items


• Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies)


• Cell phone with chargers


• Family and emergency contact information


• Extra cash


• Emergency blanket


• Maps of the area

You should also consider the needs of all family members and add supplies to your kit as needed. Suggested items to help meet additional needs are:

• Medical supplies (hearing aids with extra batteries, glasses, contact lenses, syringes, etc)


• Baby supplies (bottles, formula, baby food, diapers)


• Games and activities for children


• Pet supplies (collar, leash, ID, food, carrier, bowl)


• Two-way radios


• Extra set of car keys and house keys


• Manual can opener

Additional supplies to consider keeping at your home or in your emergency supply kit:

• Whistle


• N95 or surgical masks


• Matches


• Rain gear


• Towels


• Work gloves


• Tools/supplies for securing your home


• Extra clothing, hat and sturdy shoes


• Plastic sheeting


• Duct tape


• Scissors


• Household liquid bleach


• Entertainment items


• Blankets or sleeping bags

You never know when a disaster might arise.

Keep you emergency kit somewhere easily accessible for if and when the time comes that you need it. You should also practice fire drills with your family and plan out multiple evacuation routes should you ever need to evacuate your home. Make sure that everyone knows what to do in case of emergency. Whether it’s the Big One, a house fire, or an unexpected storm, we want you to be “ready for whatever happens!”