
How to Pack an Emergency Kit
Be ready for any disaster with a pre-packed emergency kit
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