Gather Supplies

Personal Emergency Supplies

The key to preparedness is keeping things in safe, easy-to-reach places and making sure you have essentials like water and food.

Prepare A Stay Box

Gather supplies in a bin or box at home in case you need to stay in place while emergency workers clear debris and make sure the area is safe (after an earthquake for example). 

  • Be prepared for about a week without water or electricity.
  • You can gather supplies a little at a time until you have enough for everyone in your family to get by.
  • Remember to check and refresh your Stay Box once a year.
  • You can use any container to organize supplies. The key is to keep your Stay Box somewhere easy to access and out of direct sunlight, like under a bed or in a closet.
Items For A Stay Box

Essential Supplies:

  • Other items specific to your needs (special diets, comfort items, etc.)
  • Water (at least one gallon per person, per day)
  • Non-perishable food (canned goods, dried fruit, etc.)
  • Canned/packaged foods that are water-packed and low-salt when possible
  • Eating utensils, can opener
  • First aid kit (bandages, wipes, gauze, gloves, pain relievers)
  • Medical devices or aids (hearing aids, mobility devices, etc.)
  • Headlamp or flashlight with extra batteries
  • Radio (battery-operated or hand-crank, with extra batteries)
  • Cell phone with extra battery/charger
  • Daily medications, extra eyeglasses or contact lenses
  • Personal documents (ID, passport)
  • Sanitation supplies (soap, hand sanitizer, trash bags)
  • Hygiene items (toothbrush, toilet paper, feminine products)
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Tools (wrench, hammer/nails, duct tape, etc.)
  • Pet care items (food, toys, water, medications)
  • Childcare supplies (diapers, formula, toys, medications etc.)

Useful Extras:

  • Blankets and pillows (space blanket or inflatable travel pillow is helpful)
  • Change of clothes, walking shoes, warm jacket
  • Cash (small bills in case ATMs/cards don’t work)
  • Safety pins, whistle, pocketknife, towel, sunscreen
  • Entertainment (books, games, cards, toys for children)
  • N95 masks (for smoke or poor air quality)
  • Other items specific to your needs (special diets, comfort items, etc.)

Prepare A Go Box

Your Go Bag should be something sturdy and easy to carry, like a backpack or small suitcase, and hold the things you’ll need if you must leave your house in a hurry.

 

Items For A Go Box

Essential Supplies:

  • Sturdy shoes and a change of warm clothing

  • Water purifying tablets or another purification system

  • Non-perishable food that is easy to carry (e.g., granola bars)

  • Extras of any medications you take

  • Glasses/contacts or other necessary medical items

  • Portable cell phone charger or extra battery

  • First-aid/bleed control kit

  • Radio (battery-operated or hand-crank) with extra batteries

  • A copy of your Emergency Plan and Contacts

  • Flashlight or headlamp (hands-free if possible)

  • N95 mask (to help filter contaminated air)

  • Toiletries

  • Copies of important documents in a waterproof container

  • Childcare supplies (diapers, formula, toys, medications, etc.)

  • Pet care supplies (food, toys, water, medications, etc.)

  • Cash (in small bills)

Resources