Emergency kit checklist for parents/adult’s bags

Being organized and ready for an emergency situation means being equipped with the appropriate supplies you may need in the event of an emergency or disaster. Keep your supplies in an easy-to-carry emergency preparedness kit (also called a go-bag) that you can use at home or take with you in case you must evacuate.

  • Personal documents for everyone in family (parents) or self (adult) in a waterproof bag
  • Container/bag (copy of id, copy of social security card, copy of birth certificate, copy of marriage certificate
  • Copy of wills, copy of passports, copy of insurance policies, credit card, cash $500 (recommended)
  • Non cellular communications: Citizens Band, FRS or HAM radios
  • Prepaid phone or phone cards or cell phone with charger
  • 3 to 5 days changes of clothes and under clothes and socks
  • Boots
  • Pajamas
  • Sandals or light weight shoes (or both)
  • Medications (prescription and non-prescription)
  • Person hygiene (toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, hairbrush/ties, sanitary napkins, Hand sanitizer, q-tips)
  • First aid kit (simple)
  • Sewing kit
  • Whistle
  • Compass
  • Waterproof matches (or buy a 3-1 with a compass, whistle and match container)
  • 3-to-5-day supply of non-perishable food
  • 3 sealed one-gallon water bottles
  • Empty water bottle with water sanitization tablets or bleach
  • Roll of toilet paper in baggies or wrapper
  • Tissues (travel packs)
  • Raincoat/poncho
  • Flashlight / batteries (do not store batteries in flashlight)
  • Phone charger cable
  • Portable battery charger
  • Activities, games, cards
  • Candles
  • Baggies
  • Plastic gloves
  • Masks
  • Baby wipes (for self-cleaning in place of shower)
  • Garbage bags (2-3)
  • Lighter
  • Eating utensils
  • Small shovel
  • Extra batteries
  • Pocket knife/utility knife
  • Small ax
  • Rope, twine, clothes pins
  • Tape, duct tape, packing tape
  • Extra eyeglasses or contacts
  • Manual can opener (if packing canned foods like Vienna sausages and fish)
  • Books
  • 3 gallons of drinking water and 3 gallons of sanitation water (these will not be stored in your bag, but kept safe in case you are staying at your home or can take them with you to a safe location)

5-gallon bucket for family use (to be taken with family in emergency)

  • Candles
  • Lighter
  • Batteries
  • Waterproof matches
  • Eating utensils (1-2 extra sets)
  • Small shovel
  • Radio/ batteries (do not store batteries in radio)
  • Pocket knife/utility knife
  • Rope, twine, clothes pins
  • Tape, duct tape, packing tape
  • Baggies
  • Garbage bags 10-15+ of these (they will line the bucket and be used for waste collection)
  • Shower curtain (to hold up for privacy)
  • Tarp
  • Tent stakes
  • Rope and twine
  • Grocery sacks
  • First aid kit (all-purpose)

Here is a list of items to keep in your household for family use:

  • Cook top or grill and propane
  • Survival tent and blankets
  • Extra gas for car and generator
  • Generator for power or 5000 watt power inverter
  • Wood for fire
  • Newspaper
  • 2 gallons of water per person per day (1 for drinking, 1 for sanitation) for up to 5 days (more if you have room)