In serious emergency situations, you will need a few basic supplies, so you can be fine on your own during 72 hours or less, while rescue teams will try their hardest to help people with immediate needs. A good number of items in an emergency kit are already found in most households. It is only a matter of putting them together to make an emergency kit.

Discover when is contained in an emergency kit and add to it other recommended items. Also, drivers could equip themselves with a basic car kit. You can also find out where to buy an emergency kit. Start now – choose among one of the elements below and prepare yourself!

Basic emergency kit item list

It is possible that you already own certain articles contained in a basic emergency kit like a flashlight, battery radio, food, water and blankets. What counts is that the articles be well organized, easy to find and carry (in a back-pack or suitcase with wheels) in case you have to evacuate your home. No matter what you do, don’t wait until a disaster happens.

• Easy to carry – find a way to organize you emergency kit that will allow you and the people concerned by your emergency plan, to bring it easily, if needed.
• Water – two liters of water per person and per day (think about small bottles that you could carry around easily if an evacuation notice was given)
• Food non perishable
• Manual can opener
• Flashlight and batteries
• Battery or wind-up radio (and extra batteries)
• First-aid kit
• Special needs items – prescription medications, infant formula or equipment for people with handicaps
• Additionnal keys – for the car and house
• Cash – small amounts, for example 10$ bills (travellers cheques are also useful) and change for payphones
• Emergency plan – put a copy in your kit and check if it contains in–town and out–of–town contact information

List Various Emergency Kit items

The basic emergency kit will allow you to go through the first 72 hours of an emergency. We also recommend that you put aside these other emergency articles. You’ll then be equipped for the worst emergency cases.

• Two additional liters of water per day per person for food preparation and hygiene.
• Candles and matches or lighter (place the candles in robust containers and do not let them burn without supervision)
• Back-up shoes and clothes for all family members
• Sleeping bag or blanket for all family members
• Toiletries
• Hand sanitizer
• Toilet paper
• Utensils
• Garbage bags
• Household chlorine bleach or water purifying tablets
• Basic tools (hammer, pliers, wrench, screwdrivers, work gloves, pocket knife)
• Small fuel-operated stove and fuel
• Whistle (to attract attention)
• Duct tape