Emergency Preparedness: Creating a Home Emergency Kit

At some point in everyone’s life, they will face an emergency or a disaster situation whether it is natural or man-made.  The outcome of the disaster will largely depend on how prepared you are to face the emergency.  An integral part of your emergency plan is the creation of a home emergency kit.  This kit should contain supplies and instructions that will allow your family to survive 72 hours without help from the emergency providers in your community.  The make up of your kit will depend on where you live, the number of people in your family, and the specific needs of your family.  Some of the items that should be placed in the kit include:

• A standard flashlight for each member of your family.
• Two sets of replacement batteries for each flashlight.
• Enough blankets, or sleeping bags, for the family.
• A complete first aid kit with instructions.
• A portable battery-operated radio with extra batteries. (It is best if it uses the same batteries as the flashlights)
• One (1) gallon of water per person per day.
• Canned or non-perishable food that requires no preparation.
• A current supply of prescription medications as needed.

The emergency kit should be stored in or near the area in your home designated as your shelter.  The kit should be in a waterproof container(s) and the supplies should be checked and inventoried every six months.  The batteries in the kit should be replaced every time you inventory the supplies.

For more information on creating an emergency kit for your home contact the Liberty Fire Department at 816-439-4310, the Clay County Heath Department’s Office of Homeland Security, or the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).