Research and Training Center on Independent Living

Now Is Always the Right Time:
Stock an Emergency Preparedness Kit for
Yourself and Those You Care About

One way to be be prepared for natural and man-made disasters is to have an emergency preparedness kit or area in your home. The following checklists guide you in five important areas.

If these lists seem daunting, remember: Just begin! Then you can keep building your preparedness supplies and plans.

Nonperishable Food | Emergency Supplies | Important Documents |
Supplies for People with Disabilities | Service Animal & Pet Preparedness

All Hazards Stockpile Checklist

• Ready-to-eat canned items.
• Protein and fruit bars.
• Dry cereal and granola.
• Peanut butter and jelly.
• Dried fruit and nuts.
• Crackers.
• Canned or boxed juices.
• Canned or jarred baby food/formula.
• Canned or boxed milk or soy products.
• Powdered milk.
• Comfort foods such as cookies.
• Fluids with electrolytes.
• Sports drinks.
• Instant coffee and tea.
• Other boxed foods needing only water or milk.
• Staples: Sugar, honey, salt, and flour.
• Other (for restricted or special diets).
• Pet food and litter.
  

During weekly shopping trips, pick up one or two items on this list. Annually rotate nonperishable foods and check documents to ensure they are up-to-date.

EMERGENCY SUPPLIES

• 3-day supply of water (1 gallon per person, per day).
• Fever medicines (acetaminophen or ibuprofen). No aspirin for children because of Reye’s syndrome.
• 14-day supply of prescription medications.
• 10-day supply of antiviral prescription medication.
• Vitamins.
• Thermometer and extra batteries for digital ones.
• Anti-diarrheal medication.
• Medicine dropper.
• Cough suppressants.
• Surgical or HEPA mask (N95 and N100 respirators).
• Latex or non-latex gloves.
• Cleaning agents, soap, and hand soap.
• Liquid hand sanitizer (60-95% alcohol-based).
• Household liquid chlorine bleach. (NO scented, color safe, or added cleaner.)
• Other disinfectants.
• Paper tissues.
• Toilet paper.
• Feminine and other hygiene products.
• Toothpaste and denture solution.
• Extra shaving supplies.
• Manual can opener.
• Extra durable medical equipment supplies.
• Plastic bags.
• Flashlight with extra batteries
  (NO candles).
• Portable radio with extra batteries or crank radio.
• Matches in waterproof container.
• Whistle (to attract emergency personnel).
• Pack of cards/small entertainment options.
• Duct tape.
• Cash and coins (ATMs may not be accessible).
• Sturdy shoes.
  

IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS

Seal copies of your important documents in freezer bags and place them in waterproof containers. These include:

• Identification and Social Security cards
  (to resume benefits).
• Family and friends' contact information.
• Lists of medications.
• Doctors' and pharmacists'
  contact information.
• Bank account numbers.
• Serial numbers/style for mobility
  and medical devices.
• Health cards and medical alerts.
• Birth certificate, immigration documents or guardianship decrees.
• Medicaid/Medicare ID and food stamp ID.
• Insurance information. (Keep up-to-date.)
• Eyeglasses and denture information.
• See Service Animal/Pet Preparedness Checklist.

SUPPLIES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

This checklist is relatively new and ongoing endeavors are being made to adequately identify needs. E-mail or write us for your proven stockpile supplies if they are not listed below.

Power Supplies
• For those who depend on power for equipment or refrigeration, have a back-up power supply (generator, power inverters, charged batteries, adapter plug for vehicle lighter).
• For devices that use batteries, stock extra batteries.
  
  Hearing
• Notebook and pen.
• Battery-operated lantern (for lip reading and sign language).
• Visual or sensory alerts.
• Vibrating/strobe alarm clock.
• Extra pager, TTY batteries, hearing aid, or implant batteries.
• Pager/communication devices.
• Portable, battery-powered television.
• Other  
  
  Mobility
• Manual chair for electric wheelchair users.
• Pair of heavy-duty gloves for wheeling over debris.
• Shower chair and toilet riser.
• Patch kit for flat tires and extra inner tubes.
• Extra charged battery for a power wheelchair or scooter. (Ask vendor how to charge in emergency situations.)
• Assistive devices for eating.
• Backpack with smaller supplies on this list (to grab and attach to chair).
• Other  
  
  Sight
• Extra pair of glasses.
• Extra supply of contact lenses and lens solution.
• Extra cane tips or telescoping cane.
• Portable radio with batteries.
• Other  

 
SERVICE ANIMAL/PET PREPAREDNESS

Do NOT leave your service animal or pet(s) behind during a disaster. Take him or her with you!

To ensure your safety and the safety of service animals and pets, prepare as suggested by the Humane Society of the U.S. and the American Red Cross.

• Preplanning: Make arrangements for someone to care for your animal in times when you cannot get home during a disaster.
• Determine places that will take your animal during an evacuation (relative/friend or hotel/motel).
• Tag or microchip implant each animal.
• Important Documentation (Keep in waterproof container.)
• Breed, color(s), markings, age, sex, neutered or unneutered, any medical and behavioral problems, and medical and feeding schedules.
• Describe any unusual habits or markings because many animals look the same (e.g., “tabby cat” or “yellow Lab”), making it difficult to identify otherwise.
• Service animal identification.
• Veterinarian name and number.
• Photo for identification in case you are separated. Put photo on
  carrier too.
• Copy of vaccination record.
• To-Go Kit of Animal
  Supply Items
• Collar and tag for each animal that has your phone number (very important to ensure your pet gets back to you if lost). Put collar on during disaster.
• Sturdy leash and harness.
• Well-labeled cage/carrier for each animal (for transport, to prevent escape and for safe return) with animal identification information, your phone number, and photo of animal. Carriers should be large enough for animal to stand and turn around in.
• 3-day supply of food and water with can opener, food and water bowls.
• Bedding, favorite toy, brush and comb.
• Extra supply of medications.
• Litter, litter pan, and litter scoop.
• Plastic bags/paper towels for disposing of feces.