The following is a full family disaster kit. Now if you have a small family uses fewer items and if you can afford everything just get the most important items.

First we will start with the general list but remember get only what you can afford and need. When making your family’s disaster kit, keep in mind you may need several days of supplies. Make sure you have enough food, water and supplies that will last you for 3 days and store it in a handy and reachable place...A place where anyone in your family can get to it, in an event of an emergency. Pack food that your family enjoys and that are nutritious and ready to eat as well as easy to carry. Here are several things you should have in your family disaster kits.

Non-Food Items:

1. A change of clothing for each family member and durable and comfortable shoes. Thermal underwear if the weather is cold.

2. Bathroom paper, paper towels, towelettes

3. Battery operated radio, flashlight (extra batteries for both)

4. Blankets or sleeping bags

5. Bleach (for purification and decontamination) 5.25 Sodium Hypochlorite

6. Can Opener! (non-electric)

7. Candles (Do Not Use When Sheltering In Place or in Safe Room! And be very careful when lit in the home, though not highly recommended it is good to have a few on hand.)

8. Facemask (N95 are better if you can find them) Home depot or any hardware store may carry them.

9. Fire extinguishers (type A.B.C. or a combination of all three)

10. First aid kit and manual (with enough to supply for the size of your family)

11. Flares

12. Games and books especially if you have children to keep them entertained and busy. (As parent’s we want to keep our children as calm as possible and not frighten them.)

13. Goggles

14. Hygiene supplies, Feminine supplies

15. If anyone in the family is on special medication make sure to include them.

16. Large roll of duct tape

17. List of all Emergency numbers (police, fire, ems and hospital, as well as local, state and federal government numbers.

18. Maps of area that has emergency shelters.

19. Money, credit cards, traveler’s checks and all important paperwork (birth certificates, marriage certificates, Social Security Cards, passports, insurance etc, immunization records, Bank account information, inventory and pictures of valuable household items) in a waterproof pouch.

20. Non prescription medicine (aspirin, non aspirin pain reliever, antacid, Use these two if advised by the Poison Control Center-Ipecac and activated charcoal)

21. Paper plates, cups, forks and spoons and knives.

22. Plastic containers

23. Plastic garbage bags

24. Rain Gear

25. Rubber gloves or latex gloves

26. Shovel, pliers, wrench- (to shut off gas and water valve)

27. Soap and liquid detergents

28. Waterproof Matches (make waterproof by storing in small zip-lock bag)

29. Wet ones or baby wipes

30. Whistle (if you need to call for help)

31. Window Covers (the kind you use in the winter to keep the cold draft out or any plastic liners will do)

1. Bottles (preferably the disposal kit, saves water on washing just replace with new liner and rinse nipples.

2. Diapers/wipes

3. Formula

4. Medications

5. Pacifier (of course)

6. Powdered formula, milk, or baby food

7. Vaccinations and medical records

1. Additional water

2. Food

3. Identification tags

4. Leash/harness

5. Litter/pan

6. Medications and medical records

7. Muzzle

1. CB radio or cellular telephone

2. Extra set of mittens or gloves, wool socks, and wool cap

3. Jumper cables and instructions

4. Red cloth to use as a flag

5. Set of tire chains or traction mats

6. Several blankets

7. Small sack of sand or kitty litter for traction

8. Small shovel

Medical Needs:

1. Contact lenses and supplies

2. Denture supplies

3. Heart and high blood pressure medication

4. Insulin

5. Prescription drugs

If you feel all the items may not fit in 1 large duffel or sport bag, or even a camping backpack, divide into two separate bags and make sure you can get to both of them.

Though you can use this kit in any disaster a lot of additional items were added in the event that you must remain inside your home due to a biological, chemical and or radiological release and or you have to leave your home. In an event that you are told to remain indoors and seal your house, make sure you put plastic and all windows and doors and tape them up so that no air can get in. Shut off all central air conditioning system and all heating systems. If you have vents seal them up as well. If you have a garage and it is built on the side of your home, and you come in and out of it from your home make sure that entrance is sealed as well.

If you only have $10.00 to spend, here are the most important thigs to consider:  

1. Dust tape (1 roll for $1.00)

2. Garbage bags (black garbage bags 10 in a box for $1.00)

3. Flashlight ($1.00)

4. Batteries (4 in a pack for $1.00)

5. Individual first aid kit (most dollars stores have a small one for a $1.00)

6. Can opener if you don't have a non electrical one (must have item ($1.00)

7. A small bottle of bleach (another must have item $1.00 or less in some stores)

8. Wipes for hygiene (for when you need to wash up and can't waste water $1.00)

9. Toilet paper (best buy 4 rolls for a $1.00)

10. Scissors (another must have item to cut bags and tape $1.00

This is your $10.00 emergency starter kit. As you can afford build the kit up until you have everything you need but remember make sure you have it where you can get to it quickly, I can't say that enough! This will be your home kit and go kit, if you can afford to make 2 even better. Leave one in the house and the other in the car.