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What Belongs in an Emergency Kit
When trouble strikes, it's helpful to
have an emergency kit handy - something that's accessible
to your entire family. Here are some things you may want to
include in a waterproof container:
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Food
Items:
- Bottled water
- Bread
- Crackers
- Cookies, snacks
- Canned fruit
- Canned meat, fish
- Dried fruit
- Canned/boxed beverages
- Fruit drinks
- Peanut butter
Non-Food
Items:
- Plastic forks and cups
- Napkins
- Can opener (non-electric)
- Batteries for flashlights and
radio
- Plastic trash bags
- Charcoal
- Water purifying tablets
- Flashlights
- Candles and matches
- Clothing and bedding
- Extra socks and underwear
- Pillows
- Sleeping bag and blankets
- Washcloth and towel for each
person
- Soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste
- Deodorant
- Shaving kit
- Contact lens solution
- Hair care items and mirror
- Dentures
- Sanitary napkins and tampons
- Paper towels, toilet paper
- Hearing aid batteries
- Watch or clock
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First
Aid Kit:
Keep contents of first aid kit
in a waterproof metal or plastic box.
- Prescription medicines (four-week
supply)
- Bandages and Band-Aids
- Antiseptic
- Adhesive tape rolls
- Aspirin
- Ibuprofen
- Allergy medication
- Insect repellent
- First aid handbook
- Scissors
- Antibacterial soap
- Safety pins
- Thermometer
- Needle (for splinters)
Items
for Infants:
- Small toys – don’t
forget favorite stuffed animals
- Clothes
- Diapers and baby wipes
- Milk or formula
- Powders, creams or ointments
- Bottles and nipples
- Baby food
- Sheets, blankets, rubber pads
- Portable crib
- Plastic bags
- Pacifiers
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You should also store some basic hand
tools such as a hammer, nails, screwdrivers, wrench and small
hatchet. These could be useful if you need to make emergency
repairs to your home later. Make sure everyone in your family
knows where the emergency kit is kept.
Develop
an emergency plan, too!
Most public safety experts strongly
recommend that you develop an "emergency plan" and
review it with your family. Children may be at school and
adults at work when the storm hits. Have a plan for getting
back together in a safe place that you've all agreed on. Ask
an out-of-state relative to serve as a central family contact
point. Post the written emergency plan in a place where your
family knows to look, and don't forget to add an extra copy
to your emergency kit.
Need
more information?
You can pick up free copies of the latest
Foremost Insurance safety guides from your local Foremost
agent. For the name of the authorized agent nearest you, call
1-800-237-6136.
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