In an emergency, you’ll need some basic supplies. You may need to get by without power or tap water.
Prepare to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours. Make sure your kit is easy to carry and everyone in the household knows where it is. Keep it in a bag in an easy-to-reach, accessible place.
Your basic emergency kit should include:
- Water – at least two litres of water per person per day (small bottles can be carried easily)
- Non perishable food such as canned food, energy bars and dried foods
- Manual can opener
- Windup or battery-powered torch and radio (include extra batteries)
- Mobile phone and charger
- First aid kit
- Spare keys to your car and home
- Cash in smaller notes and coins
- Your emergency plan and contact information
- Prescription medication, disability aids, baby formula, food, water and pet/livestock medication (personalise to your needs)
- Copies of insurance policies, passports, bank details and passwords.
Recommended additional items:
- Two additional litres of water per person per day for cooking and cleaning
- Candles and matches/lighter
- Change of clothing and footwear for each person
- Toiletries, hand sanitizer, face masks, toilet paper, garbage bags, utensils
- Basic tools such as hammer, pliers, wrench, screwdrivers, work gloves, dust mask, pocket knife
- Small fuel operated stove and fuel such as a portable gas hotplate
- Whistle (to attract attention)
- Duct tape (to tape up windows, doors and air vents).
Make sure you review your emergency kit each year, it could save your life …
