Building an Emergency Kit

You might live in an area that is hit by

natural disasters such as hurricanes,

tornadoes, floods or wildfires. When you

think of building an emergency kit or

“go bag”, you might remember being on

alert for those emergencies or remember

your family preparing for them.

But, not all emergencies are disasters. A major power outage can be an emergency situation for your family or community if power cannot be restored quickly enough to heat your house in cold weather or keep your food from spoiling.

Understanding what causes some emergency situations and knowing what to do during the emergency will help you deal with the situation. If you and your family are prepared, you will have the items you need to make a safer, quicker recovery.

What Is An Emergency Kit?

An emergency kit contains supplies and information you and your family may need in an emergency situation. It should allow you to stay safe, healthy and comfortable if you stay home until the emergency is over or until you and your family make other arrangements such as staying with relatives or neighbors or finding a shelter.

In this lesson, you will consider what you would put in your emergency kit. Start building your “go bag” by making a list of things you think you might need.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends a three-day supply of water (one gallon a day) and food for each person. But, what else should you pack in your emergency kit?

1. Let’s say you are now preparing for an emergency that includes a power outage. List the items you think you and your family will need in the space below. Consider food, water, first aid items, and safety items you may need during a power outage. Also consider weather and temperature conditions when you plan your supplies.

Remember that you should pack what you will absolutely need. You may not be able to take everything you want.

2. Now, review your list. (You’ll write a new list in the space below)

Did you include food that needs to be refrigerated? Your frig won’t work without electricity. What kind of food can you take that doesn’t need to be refrigerated?

Did you include food that has to be cooked? Your stove or microwave won’t work without electricity. What kind of food can you take that doesn’t need to be cooked?

Did you pack enough water to last each person for at least 3 days?

During some emergencies, municipal water pumping stations lose power and water can’t be pumped to homes. There may be nothing wrong with the water; it just can’t make it to your house.

You can take a personal item to provide the comfort of home while you’re evacuating. But, did you pack an electronic game that needs to be recharged? You can’t do that without electricity.

3. Write your revised list in the space below. How much did it change from your first list?

4. Review your list with students in your class. Your teacher may discuss your lists and you may find that you have forgotten some items that you want to add. If you need to, add the items to your list.

5. Now, look at your list again and think of your family. Do you have a small child in your family? A baby? An elderly person living with you? What special needs do they have that require more items in your emergency kit?

6. FEMA and the American Red Cross recommend including printed maps of the area in your “go bag”. Why would they recommend printed maps when there are many map apps on cell phones?

7. Now that you have a list of items needed for your go bag, what are you going to pack it in? You don’t have to use a bag. Any appropriate container that you can easily carry works. But, think of the conditions you may encounter. What special concerns should you have for what your go-bag should be?

Optional: Discuss the list with your family. Is your family ready for an emergency? Do you and your family need to pack an emergency kit?