Plan ahead. Make sure you have essential items like these available, in case of an emergency. During an emergency, the items you would normally buy may be in short supply or unavailable.

Essentials

• Food and water
• Water purification kit, or household chlorine bleach and eye-dropper
• Learn CPR and emergency first aid.
• Flashlights and extra batteries
• Portable radio
• A list of all battery-powered devices you plan to use and the type of battery each need, and a stock of the right sorts of batteries. (Alkaline batteries will hold their charge longer than rechargable batteries.)
• Matches (include some waterproof matches)
• First aid kit ( see Health )
• Infant needs (diapers, bottle liners, extra formula)
• Food, water, leashes or cages for pets ( see Pets )
• Non-electric can opener, utility knife, matches (in a waterproof container), aluminum foil (better than dirtying pans)
• Contact lenses and solution, denture needs, extra eyeglasses
• Essential medications ( see Health )
• Needles, thread
• Cash and change
• American Red Cross - Family Disaster Planning

Cooking

• Mess kits, or paper cups, plates and plastic utensils
• Pots and pans (preferably steel or cast iron)
• Heavy duty aluminum foil

Sanitation

• Toilet paper, towelettes or wipes (especially for babies)
• Plastic buckets with tight lids
• Large trash cans
• Heavy-duty plastic freezer and garbage bags and ties in various sizes
• Disinfectant and household chlorine bleach (no additives)
• Laundry line and clothespins
• Personal hygiene items (shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrush, etc)
• Soap, liquid detergent

Safety Supplies

• A-B-C fire extinguisher
• Heavy gloves
• Battery-operated smoke alarm
• Candles and safety matches
• Light sticks
• Knife or razor blades
• Garden hose for siphoning
• Communication kit (paper, pens, stamps)
• Shut-off wrench (to turn off household gas and water)

Helpful Tools

• Screwdrivers, both flat-head and phillips head
• Adjustable wrench (for shutting off gas intake)
• Vise grip
• Wire cutters
• Hammer and nails
• Rope
• Glues (wood, metal, plastic)
• Hatchet, axe, maul and wedges
• Duct tape
• Electric tape
• Plastic sheeting (in case of leaks, etc.) and staple gun

Easy carriers like:

• A luggage cart and a box
• A suitcase with wheels
• A folding household shopping cart

Bicycle and kit:

• A well-tuned bicycle with racks to carry groceries, etc.
• Helmet
• Kit with gloves, tubes (2), tires, patch kit, brake pads, chain, Cool Tool (multipurpose and portable tool), and a tire pump.