How to Pack an Emergency Kit

Be ready for any disaster with a pre-packed emergency kit

Sunset

Having an emergency preparedness kit on hand is a wise idea no matter where you live. We’ve seen disasters like earthquakes, wildfires, and flooding affect a lot of areas in the West and it’s best to be ready in case of evacuation or mandatory sheltering.

Emergency responders are very busy in the hours right after a natural disaster, so you shouldn’t rely on them to take care of you and your family. You can assemble your own kit of essential items. A kit such as this one should be able to support a family of four for 72 hours.

• Work gloves, $30
• Goggles, $17
• Dust masks, $7
• Rechargeable batteries and charger, $19 and $15
• Flashlight, $20
• Headlamp, $40
• Lantern, $14
• Glowsticks, $12
• Hand crank radio, $20
• Hammer-claw, $18
• Nails, $10
• Multi-screwdriver, $26
• Wrench, $28
• Zipties, $25
• Multi-tool, $110
• Lighter, $7
• Can opener, $17
• Paracord, $7
• Duct tape, $8
• Whistle, $6
• $50 in $1 bills, $50 in $5 bills, $20 in quarters
• Pen and notebook
• Markers, $29
• City map, $7 (SF, LA, Portland, Seattle, Vancouver)
• Playing cards, $4
• High-proof alcohol
• Bucket and lid, $40 and $30

For an even more exhaustive kit, consider adding any of these items:

• Sharpies, $5
• Ziplock bags to keep things organized and dry, $13
• Gas can, $25
• Solar panel, $60
• Large battery pack, $360
• Cell phone charger
• Medical kit, $95
• CPR mask, $7
• Copy of important documents and contact info for all family members
• Baby wipes, $11
• Tough yard waste bags, $16
• Safety pins (large and small), $6
• Household chlorine bleach and eye dropper for purifying water and sterilization, $8 and $5
• First aid book, $36
• Hand sanitizer, $7
• Prescriptions
• Pry bar, $21
• ABC type fire extinguisher, $36
• Water jugs (1 gallon per person per day plus pets)
• Non-perishable food
• Warm clothes and sturdy shoes
• Blue tarp for shelter and tarp clips or bungee balls, $28 and $7 or $8
• Sleeping bags or blankets, $9 or $14
• Towels
• Contact lens supplies
• Toothbrushes and paste
• Spare glasses
• Feminine care
• Pet materials including documentation, reflective wear, leashes, “Have you seen this dog?” posters
• Toys and games for kids
• City emergency information such as emergency frequencies, direct police and fire station numbers, utility information, emergency meeting and shelter points, CERT meeting points