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Building a Family Readiness Kit

Use this 10-category Readiness Checklist of necessary items to build a Family Readiness Kit for use during and after natural disasters and other emergencies:

Food and Beverage Supplies
- Canned and nonperishable foods
- Canned or dry milk and fruit juices

Water
- Plan for 10-14 gallons of drinking water per family member
- Store water in a dark, cool place in plastic containers
- Purchase purified water or purify water prior to storage

Supplies for Babies and Children
- Diapers, wipes, lotions, and hand sanitizer
- Jars of food, powdered formula, dry cereal and prepackaged foods
- Prescription medications, fever and cough medicine, and vitamins
- Plastic bottles, liners, extra nipples, pacifiers, and teething rings

Supplies for Elderly and Those with Special Needs
- Prescription medications
- Oxygen tanks, IVs, or other specialized equipment
- Nutritional supplements and special diet items
- Mobility and hearing aids
- Style and serial number for medical devices (pacemakers, etc.)
- Eyeglasses/magnifying glasses
- Special bedding and extra blankets

Radio and Phone Equipment
- Cell phones, chargers, and extra batteries
- Portable radios, AC adapters, and extra batteries
- Important family phone numbers (see Family Readiness Plan)

Safety Equipment and Supplies
- Battery-operated flashlights and lamps, with extra batteries
- Small fire extinguisher
- Sealing tape and plastic sheeting for leaks or broken windows
- If available, an emergency generator with extra gasoline and oil

First Aid Supplies
- Prescription medication and asthma inhalers
- Stomach remedies and pain relievers
- Hot/Cold packs
- Thermometer, tweezers, and scissors

Cleaning and Sanitation Supplies
- Chlorine bleach (pure, unscented) and household disinfectants
- Dishwashing liquid
- Heavy-duty trash bags
- Plastic gloves
- Toilet paper and facial tissue
- Small repair kit (screwdrivers, hammer, etc.) and sewing kit

Personal Gear and Paperwork
- Driver’s license or other ID for EACH family member
- Copies of health insurance papers/cards for EACH family member
- Lists of family medical history and immunization records
- Lists of drug allergies and prescriptions for family members
- Vehicle registration and proof of insurance
- Deeds, titles, and mortgage papers
- Birth certificates and Social Security cards
- Physician information and phone numbers, location of nearest medical facilities
- Basic hygiene items (toothbrush, soap, etc.)
- Extra clothing and rain or cold-weather gear
- Glasses/contact lenses
- Bedding or sleeping bags
- Back-ups of computer files and/or hard drives
- Bank statements, deeds, titles, and mortgage papers

Cooking and Food Preparation Equipment
- Camping cookware or picnic supplies
- Bottle opener and manual can opener
- Plastic bags and aluminum foil
- Butane lighter
- Sterno or portable cooking fuel for indoor use