Your emergency kit should include enough food, water and supplies to meet the needs of your family for at least three days. This includes any food, water and supplies needed to care for pets and livestock.
Food and Water:
- At least four litres of bottled water per person, per day (store it in a location where it will not freeze or be exposed to direct sunlight, hydrocarbons, or pesticides)
- Canned foods, dried goods and staples
- Food for infants, seniors and special diets
- Food for pets and livestock
Medications:
Make copies of all your prescriptions and keep a minimum one-week supply of medications as well as spare eye glasses in your kit.
Important documents:
- Extra keys, money, cheque books
- Bank account numbers, wills, insurance policies
- Credit card account numbers
- Health Card and Social Insurance Numbers
- Passports
- Immunization Records
- Family records, such as birth, marriage and death certificates
- Important telephone numbers
- Inventory of valuable household goods
- Photos of family members in case you get separated
Keep copies of your important documents in a waterproof container.
Sanitation supplies:
- Sturdy bucket or trash can to use as an emergency toilet
- Powdered chlorinated lime, household disinfectant, deodorant and insecticide
- Re-sealable plastic bags
Basic Supplies and tools:
- Disposable plates and glasses, cooking and eating utensils
- Plastic garbage bags, duct tape and paper towels
- Aluminium foil
- Crank or battery-operated radio
- Matches or lighter in a waterproof container
- Flashlights and batteries
- Utility knife, can and bottle opener
- Pliers, screw driver and wrench
- Needle and thread
- Paper, pens, pencils
- Shovel, signal flares and whistle
- Fire extinguisher
- Road maps
Clothing and miscellaneous items:
- Basic toiletries
- At least one complete change of clothing
- Sturdy shoes or boots
- Hats and gloves
- Rain gear
- Thermal underwear
- Bedding: blankets and sleeping bags
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- First aid kit that you are trained to use
It is important to maintain a basic first aid certification.
For babies and children:
- Formula
- Bottles
- Diapers
- Medications
- Favourite books, games and toys
For pets and livestock:
- Food, water and bowls
- Leash/harness and muzzle
- ID tags and licenses
- Medications and vaccination/medical records
- Blanket and favourite toy(s)
- Local animal shelter phone numbers
- Local livestock rescue organization contact information
Your Vehicle Emergency Kit:
- Cell phone charger
- Shovel, scraper and snow brush
- Sand, sale and/or cat litter for traction, antifreeze
- Matches in a waterproof container
- Spare clothing, shoes and blankets
- Tow rope, jumper cables and windshield washer fluid
- Warning light or road flares, shovel and fire extinguisher
- First aid kit with seatbelt cutter
- Water and food ( such as energy bars)
- Roadmaps, whistler and flashlight
Your Work Emergency Kit:
- Drinking water and food (such as energy bars)
- Medications
- Change of clothing/shoes
- Basic toiletries
- Flashlight and whistle
Tips:
- Consider preparing a kit for each member of the family, and a larger kit with common items.
- Consider storing your kit(s) in backpacks to make them easier to carry
- Check your kits twice a year to maintain freshness of food, water and medications
- Check with your children’s school about student release programs indicating who can pick up children under what circumstances