What to pack in your emergency kit?
Your emergency kit should include basic supplies – food, water, important documents, first aid kit, clothing and more – but it should be customized to you and your family’s needs.
If you have an infant, consider adding diapers and formula (if applicable). If you have medical needs, you may want to pack your medications, records of your prescriptions and essential medical equipment. If you have pets, consider packing a harness and leash, extra food and water and comfort items.
Basic supplies to include
- Water (four litres per person per day)
- Food that won’t spoil such as canned food, pasta, energy bars and dried food
- If packing canned food, make sure to pack a manual can opener
- Medical supplies such as over-the-counter and prescription medications, back-up pair of glasses, extra contact lenses and solution, and essential medical equipment
- Important documents such as identification, birth certificates, health care cards, passports, prescription medication records, insurance policy, and banking information
- First aid kit
- Change of clothing and shoes for each household member (seasonally appropriate)
- Toiletries and personal hygiene items
- Mobile phone charger(s)
- Activities such as books, puzzles, cards and small toys
- Sleeping bags or warm blankets
- Cleaning supplies such as wipes, masks, gloves, trash bags, hand sanitizer and toilet paper
- Wind-up or battery-powered flashlight with extra batteries
- Wind-up or battery-powered radio with extra batteries
- Candles and waterproof matches or lighter