You should assemble and maintain Emergency Survival Items and a portable Getaway Kit that you can use at home or can take with you if you must evacuate.
In addition, if you have a vehicle, you should always keep it stocked with basic emergency supplies.
Download a Household Emergency Checklist to make sure you are ready.
In a disaster situation, you may need access to your Emergency Survival Items quickly, whether you are sheltering at home or evacuating.
Assemble the following Emergency Survival Items:
- Food - at least a three-day supply readily accessible for use if you are confined to home. In addition, you may want to consider stocking a two-week supply of food and water in your home for prolonged emergencies such as a pandemic.
- Water - at least three litres per person per day for drinking. In addition, you will need water for washing and cooking.
- Portable, battery-powered radio and additional fresh batteries.
- First aid kit (See first aid kit on left hand menu)
- Medications - prescription, and non-prescription that are regularly used. Check with your physician or pharmacist on storage requirements.
- Cash as banks/ATM/credit card transactions are likely to be affected in a disaster.
- Copies of personal identification, such as driver's licence, passport and work identification badges, and copies of medical prescriptions and credit cards.
- An extra set of car keys and house keys.
- Matches in a waterproof container.
- Map of the area marked with places you could go along with contact details.
- Item for infants, such as formula, nappies, bottles, teats, dummies, powdered milk and medications not requiring refrigeration.
- Special items, such as denture needs, contact lenses and supplies, extra eyeglasses and hearing aid batteries.
- Items for seniors, disabled persons, or anyone with serious allergies.
- Kitchen accessories: manual can opener; mess kits or disposable cups, plates and utensils; utility knife; sugar and salt; aluminium foil and plastic wrap; re-sealable plastic bags.
- Household liquid (chlorine) bleach.
- For each person, one complete change of clothing and footwear, including sturdy work shoes or boots, wet weather gear and other seasonal items, such as hats and gloves, thermal underwear, sunglasses and dust mask.
- Blankets or sleeping bag for each person.
- Small tent, compass, small shovel.
- Paper, pencils, needles, thread, small fire extinguisher, medicine dropper, whistle and a copy of your Household Emergency Plan.
- Sanitation and hygiene items: toilet paper, towelettes, soap, hand sanitizer liquid.
- Detergent, feminine supplies, shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, comb and brush, lip balm, sunscreen, heavy-duty plastic garbage bags and ties, medium-sized plastic bucket with tight lid, disinfectant, household chlorine bleach.
- Entertainment such as games and books. Favourite comfort dolls, stuffed animals for small children.
- Roll of duct tape (10mm thick) and scissors.
- Plastic sheeting pre-cut to fit shelter-in-place room openings.
