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How to Pack an Emergency Kit
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  1. Sunset
  2. Home & Garden

How to Pack an Emergency Kit

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

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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

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