Disaster Survival Kit List

The items listed in this Disaster Survival Kit should be customised to meet you and your family’s specific, personal needs.

1. 1 gallon of commercially bottled water per person daily  
2. Canned, plastic and tetra pack juices
3. Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits and vegetables
4. Soups
5. Protein or fruit bars
6. Dry cereal, granola or trail mix
7. Peanut butter, jams and jellies
8. Dried fruit
9. Canned nuts
10. Crackers
11. High energy foods such as almonds, sunflower and pumpkin seeds
12. Vitamins
13. Food for infants
14. Honey
15. Comfort/stress foods such as chocolate
16. Drink mixes
17. Condensed milk
18. Powdered milk
19. Infant care supplies
20. Disposable plates, cups and utensils
21. Cooking tools and fuel
22. First Aid Kit with mosquito repellent
23. Prescription Medicine (min. 1 week’s supply)
24. Prescription eyewear and contact lens solutions
25. Specialty items for elderly or disabled family members such as hearing aid batteries
26. Flashlights and extra batteries
27. Battery operated radio and clock
28. Manual can opener
29. Matches in a waterproof container
30. Water purification kit or bleach (4 drops per qt)
31. Plastic sheeting and duct tape
32. Toiletries and personal hygiene items, including feminine supplies
33. Soap and hand sanitizer or moist towelettes
34. Toilet paper
35. Disinfectant and chlorine bleach
36. Plastic trash bags and plastic ties
37. Fire extinguisher
38. Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
39. Work gloves
40. Complete change of clothing, including a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, socks and sturdy shoes
41. Pillows, blankets, sleeping bags and towels
42. Cash in small denominations and change
43. Pet care items
44. Whistle to signal for help
45. Dust mask
46. Local maps
47. Copies of important family documents in a waterproof, portable container
48. Books, games, puzzles and other activities for children
49. Kitchen accessories and cooking utensils
50. Extra set of car and house keys
51. Small shovel
52. Plastic bucket with tight lid

Food

• Store at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food.
• Select foods that require no refrigeration, preparation or cooking and little or no water.
• Pack a manual can opener and disposable eating utensils.
• Consider special dietary needs when putting together your food supplies.

Water

• At least three gallons of water per person, for drinking and sanitation.
• Keep at least a three-day supply of water per person.
• Children, nursing mothers and sick people might need more water.
• If you live in a warm weather climate more water might be necessary.
• There are two main ways to treat water: boiling and adding bleach. Boiling is the safest method to use.
• Allow the treated water to stand for at least 30 minutes.
• Store water in tightly sealed, clean plastic containers such as soft drink bottles and store in a cool, dark place.
• Replace water every six months if not using commercially bottled water.

First Aid

• Two pairs of latex or other sterile gloves.
• Adhesive tape and sterile dressings to stop bleeding.
• Soap and antibacterial wipes to disinfect.
• Antibiotic and burn ointment to prevent infection.
• Adhesive bandages in a variety of sizes.
• Eye wash solution to flush the eyes or as a general decontaminant.
• Thermometer.
• Pain reliever and antibiotics.
• Prescription medications you take every day such as insulin, heart medicine and asthma inhalers and medical supplies such as glucose and blood pressure monitoring equipment and supplies.
• First aid manual.

Things it might be good to have:

• Scissors, tweezers and needles
• Tube of petroleum jelly or other lubricant
• Aspirin or non aspirin pain reliever
• Anti-diarrhoea medication
• Antacid (for upset stomach)
• Sewing kit

Infants and toddlers

• Bottles and formula
• Bottled water to mix with formula and to wash bottles
• Blankets, bath towels, wash cloths and disposable wipes
• Disposable diapers and cloth diapers
• A heat source such as a folding stove (with fuel, matches and a pan) to heat water
• Copy of a current immunization record
• Clothing including sweaters, onesies, socks, burp cloths and bibs
• Suction bulb
• Binkies and toys
• Baby lotion and sunscreen
• Medication, cotton swabs and diaper rash ointment
• Plastic baggies
• Dishes and cups
• Books, games, puzzles and other activities for children

The elderly and persons with disabilities

• Hearing aid and wheelchair batteries and oxygen
• Dentures and dentures treatments
• Any necessary medications, such as insulin, heart and high blood pressure medication
• Insulated container for any medications that need to be refrigerated
• Special dietary foods that take health conditions, such as diabetes, into consideration
• Make sure you have contact numbers for your pharmacy and medical supply providers if you require oxygen and diabetes supplies, etc.
• List of the style and serial numbers of medical devices such as pacemakers
• Adult diapers

Important family documents in a waterproof, portable container such as:

• Insurance policies
• Identification
• Bank account records
• A copy of current immunization records for infants
• Birth certificate
• Marriage certificate
• Passports
• Wills
• Deeds

Pets

• Identification tags on collars.
• Medications, immunization records and a first aid kit.
• Sturdy leashes, muzzles, harnesses, carriers or cages to transport pets safely. Carriers should be large enough for the pet to stand comfortably, turn around and lie down. Include blankets or towels for bedding and warmth.
• Current photos of you with your pets in case they get lost.
• Food, drinking water, bowls, litter, pan or extra newspaper and can opener.
• Information on feeding schedules, medical conditions, behaviour problems and the name and number of your veterinarian.
• Pet beds and toys, if easily transportable.
• Towels or blankets.
• Treats

Vehicles

• List of emergency contact information
• Small flashlight and batteries
• Whistle or other noisemaker
• 1 gallon of commercially bottled water
• Extra medication
• Copies of prescriptions
• Extra pair of glasses and hearing aid batteries
• Pad and pencil or pen
• Blankets and a change of clothes
• Jumper cables and instructions
• Small sack of sand or newspaper for pet litter
• Small shovel
• Red cloth to use as a flag
• Tool kit including hammer, scissors, screw driver, pliers, tape, etc.

Don'ts

• Avoid salty or sugary foods as they will make you thirsty.
• Avoid leaving open cans of food unattended for more than two hours.
• Avoid storing large amounts of tap water for drinking or hygienic purposes.
• Avoid opening your refrigerator constantly as this will lower the temperature and spoilage can occur faster.
• Avoid using milk and fruit juice bottles for storing water as the proteins and sugars in these products cannot be adequately removed.