We all know we should have a first aid kit in our house and our cars, and some of us do, but especially now in California, we should have a full blown home emergency supply kit for the whole family, including pets.
We’ve put together the essentials for a complete home emergency supply kit as well as a vehicle emergency supply kit.
Checklist for your complete Home Emergency Supply Kit
- Water: At minimum, one gallon per person, per day, for 3-7 days for both drinking and limited washing. One person should consume about ¾ of a gallon of water or non caffeinated, non sugared liquid per day.
- Food: Enough food for each person for 3-7 days. Smaller people need about 2,000 calories per day, while bigger people need about 3,000.
- Water and Food for your pets. You’ll have to gauge depending on your pet. For reference, a 40 lb dog needs about ¼ of a gallon of water a day if not exercising. A 10 lb cat needs about one cup of water per day. Check with your vet for amounts for other pets like birds, reptiles and rabbits.
- Any other necessities for your pets – cages, leashes, harnesses, etc.
- Prescription medications for your family and pets.
- Non-prescription medications or supplements, including Emergen-C or other electrolyte and vitamin supplement.
- Essential toiletries: Contact solution, eye glasses, toothpaste and brush, period supplies, etc.
- Headlamp or flashlight – one per person. Flashlights are great, but headlamps allow you use of both hands, which is often preferable.
- Extra batteries for flashlights, radios, etc.
- Whistle in case you need to signal for help
- Dusk masks for each person
- Plastic sheeting and tap for sheltering in place
- Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties (for personal sanitation)Doggie bags for the doggos and cats (they are useful for humans too)
- Hand sanitizer
- Wrench and pliers for turning off water and gas
- Manual can opener
- Mess kit: utensils, one bowl and plate per person, paper towels
- Local paper maps in case your phones die and the electricity is out
- Extra phone chargers – cords and bricks
- Battery operated phone charger
- Infant formula, bottles, diapers, wipes and diaper rash cream
- Cash and credit cards
- Important family documents (birth certificates, insurance information, etc.) saved on a jump drive or printed on paper – either way, stored in a waterproof container.
- Sleeping bags and blankets for each person. Optional: Dog and cat beds and other sleeping necessities for your pets.
- Infant necessities: formula, food, bottles, diapers, blankets, toys
- Change of clothes – at least one for each person
- Sturdy shoes for every family member
- Fire extinguisher
- Activities for kids – puzzles, games, chargers for ipads
- Waterproof pad and pencil
- First aid kit: This list was taken directly from The Red Cross and contains everything they recommend including in all first aid kits for a family of four. You can purchase a pre-made first aid kit from any Hassett location, Ace Hardware, Red Cross or any major drug store. Download the printable list.
- 2 absorbent compress dressings (5 x 9 inches)
- 25 adhesive bandages (assorted sizes), also found within our Family First Aid Kit
- 1 adhesive cloth tape (10 yards x 1 inch)
- 5 antibiotic ointment packets (approximately 1 gram)
- 5 antiseptic wipe packets
- 2 packets of aspirin (81 mg each)
- 1 emergency blanket
- 1 breathing barrier (with one-way valve)
- 1 instant cold compress, also found within our First Aid Kit
- 2 pair of nonlatex gloves (size: large)
- 2 hydrocortisone ointment packets (approximately 1 gram each)
- 1 3 in. gauze roll (roller) bandage
- 1 roller bandage (4 inches wide)
- 5 3 in. x 3 in. sterile gauze pads
- 5 sterile gauze pads (4 x 4 inches)
- Oral thermometer (non mercury/non glass)
- 2 triangular bandages
- Tweezers
- Emergency First Aid guide
Store your kit in a designated place that is accessible to everyone in the family, except babies and toddlers. Make sure everyone knows where it is. Download the printable home supply checklist.