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Prepare Emergency Kits for Home, Office and Car

There are many sources that provide information about recommended supplies you should have in the event of an emergency. The following Web sites provide information about assembling or purchasing emergency kits:

• Emergency Essentials is a Web site that offers information about how to prepare for an emergency, and an online catalog to purchase supplies.
• SafetyCentral has compiled a list to help you prepare for an emergency.

Below are some general recommendations for emergency kits.

Home Emergency Kit

Food: At least a three-day supply of nonperishable food. Foods that can be eaten without chilling or heating, such as canned meat and fish, vegetables, and fruit are best.

First Aid: Store items in Ziplock™ bags or other airtight containers to avoid moisture and contamination.

• Sterile adhesive bandages in assorted sizes
• Safety pins, in various sizes
• Cleansing agent/soap
• Two pairs of latex gloves
• Sunscreen
• Four to six (each) 2- and 4-inch gauze pads
• Three triangular bandages
• Four to six 2- and 3-inch roller bandages
• Scissors
• Tweezers
• Needles
• Pre-moistened towelettes
• Antiseptic
• Tube of petroleum jelly or other lubricant
• Thermometer
• Tongue blades
• Nonprescription drugs, including:
• Pain reliever, such as aspirin
• Antacid
• Laxative
• Anti-diarrhea medication
• Any medication commonly used by members of the household.

Water: Store in plastic containers such as soft drink bottles and replace at least every six months. Store one gallon per person, per day, providing adequate supply for a minimum of three days.

Clothing/ Bedding: Include at least one complete change of clothing and footwear for each person, as well as blankets or sleeping bags.

Tools and Supplies:

• Plastic/paper cups, plates, utensils
• Battery-operated radio with extra batteries
• Flashlight (s) with extra batteries
• Candles and matches in airtight package
• Fire extinguisher
• Manual can opener
• Utility knives
• Pliers, screw driver and duct tape
• Aluminum foil
• Ziplock™ bags
• Signal flare
• Thread
• Paper, pencil
• Plastic sheeting
• Whistle
• Wrench (to turn off household gas and water)

Special Items: As required for babies, including formula and any medications. Plastic garbage bags with ties, a plastic bucket with a tight lid, toilet paper, towelettes, chlorine bleach and personal hygiene items for sanitary purposes.

Important Documents: These should always be kept in a portable, waterproof container if theyíre in your home. The best place for original documents when they are not in use is a safety deposit box.

• Will, insurance policies, contracts, deeds, stocks and bonds
• Passports, social insurance cards, immunization records
• Bank account numbers
• Credit card account numbers and companies
• Inventory of valuable household goods
• Important telephone numbers
• Family records, such as birth, marriage and death certificates

Make sure all family members know where the kit is located.

Car Emergency Kits

• An "emergency, call police" sign to put in the windshield and a red cloth that could be tied to an antenna.
• Your carís first aid kit should contain all the items listed under your home kit. Donít forget youíll need a full kit for your home and each vehicle.
• Clothing and bedding are vital when driving in winter conditions. Make sure you have a full extra set of clothing for everyone and that all the items of clothing and footwear fit properly and are practical.
• A simple stock of food, including chocolate bars in Ziplock™ bags.

At home, motoring or when traveling anywhere, always make sure to have some extra cash on hand as well as a list of any medication you might require urgently. Ask your doctor if you should carry extra prescriptions.

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