Home Survival Kits

Emergency home survival kits should contain a minimum of 72 hours worth of emergency supplies for home disaster preparedness.

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Household Disaster Kit Electrical, water, transportation, and other vital systems can be disrupted for several days after a large earthquake. Emergency response agencies and hospitals will likely be overwhelmed and unable to provide you with immediate assistance. To help your family cope after a strong earthquake, store a household disaster kit in an easily accessible location, preferably outdoors (not in your garage). This kit, which complements your personal disaster kits, should be in a large watertight container that can be easily moved and should hold at least a 3- to 5-day supply of the following items:

• Drinking water (minimum one gallon per person per day).
  
• First aid supplies, medications, and essential hygiene items, such as soap, toothpaste, and toilet paper.
  
• Emergency lighting—light sticks and (or) a working flashlight with extra batteries and light bulbs (hand-powered flashlights are also available).
  
• A hand-cranked or battery-operated radio (and spare batteries).
  
• Canned and packaged foods and cooking utensils, including a manual can opener.
  
• Items to protect you from the elements, such as warm clothing, sturdy shoes, extra socks, blankets, and perhaps even a tent.
  
• Heavy-duty plastic bags for waste and to serve other uses, such as tarps and rain ponchos.
  
• Work gloves and protective goggles.
  
• Pet food and pet restraints.
  
• Copies of vital documents, such as insurance policies and personal identification.

NOTE: Replace perishable items like water, food, medications, and batteries on a yearly basis.