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Be Prepared for an Emergency with Emergency Survival Kits

Whether you stay put or evacuate, you should have some basic supplies on hand, ready to sustain you in an emergency.

Emergencies, such as storms, floods, and fires, can shut down shops or interrupt utilities for an undetermined amount of time. You could be stranded in a dorm room, your car, or office, needing to survive on whatever you happen to have. ATMs and vending machines may not work, and food services may run short of supplies. A simple, well-maintained kit can help transform a potentially dangerous or miserable incident into a more manageable experience.

Tailor Your Emergency Preparedness Kits

Below are recommended contents for various types of kits. Each should be tailored to yet more particular places, climates, and individual needs.

• Maintain at least a couple of kits: one relatively full kit at home and smaller portable kits in your workplace, your car, or other places where you ordinarily spend time.
• Contents can be kept in a duffel bag, plastic storage box, or a backpack.
• Store water nearby but separately to avoid damaging dry items in case of leaks, especially if the area is vulnerable to freezing.
• Check your kits at least once every six months to assure that everything is in good order.

	Home Kit This basic home kit should be ready-to-use or grab-and-go, depending on the emergency. Pack essentials in a covered plastic storage box or a sturdy duffel bag. >> Recommended items for a Home Kit
	Dorm Kit A basic dorm kit is intended to help residents be as comfortable as possible in an emergency. Be sure to have enough emergency supplies for a couple of days, packed in a duffel or backpack – ready-to-use or to grab-and-go. >> Recommended items for a Dorm Kit
	Car Kit This car kit is intended to help you in case your car breaks down, roads become impassable, or another emergency occurs while you are driving. Be sure to have enough emergency essentials for one day, packed in a special backpack or duffel bag. >> Recommended items for a Car Kit
	Work Kit This office kit is intended to help you in an emergency if you need to shelter- or secure-in-place during work. Be sure to have enough emergency essentials for a couple of days, packed in a special backpack or duffel bag – ready-to-use or to grab-and-go. >> Recommended items for a Work Kit
	Pet Kit Remember that pets depend on you. In an emergency, if at all possible, take them with you along with the recommended essentials that should be packed, ready-to-use or to grab-and-go. >> Recommended items for a Pet Kit
	First Aid Kit At the very least, these basic items should always be included in your first aid kit. >> Recommended items for a First Aid Kit

Additional Information

• Kits for Individuals with Special Needs: Ready.gov and FEMA provide advice on emergency kits for individuals with disabilities and special needs.
• Basic Disaster Supplies: Ready.gov and FEMA suggest some basic items for a disaster supplies kit.