Emergency preparedness is essential for everyone, regardless of where you live. While it’s impossible to predict exactly when and where a disaster will strike, being prepared can make all the difference in ensuring your survival. Whether you live in an urban, suburban, or rural area, having the right supplies on hand can help you weather any storm.
Here are three detailed lists of items to have on hand for emergency situations:
Urban Areas:
- One gallon of water per person per day
- Non-perishable food items such as canned goods and energy bars
- Manual can opener
- First aid kit
- Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
- Flashlight with extra batteries
- Dust mask
- Personal hygiene items
- Cell phone with backup battery or charger
- Any required Medications
Suburban Areas:
- Two gallons of water per person per day
- Non-perishable food items such as canned goods and dried fruit
- Manual can opener
- First aid kit
- Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
- Flashlight with extra batteries
- Dust mask
- Personal hygiene items
- Basic tools such as a hammer, pliers, and wrench
- Copies of important documents
- Any required Medications
Rural Areas:
- Three gallons of water per person per day
- Non-perishable food items such as canned goods, dehydrated meals, and jerky
- Manual can opener
- First aid kit
- Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
- Flashlight with extra batteries
- Dust mask
- Personal hygiene items
- Basic tools such as a hammer, pliers, and wrench
- Cash and coins
- Emergency whistle
- Any required Medications
For those who need to leave their homes and travel on foot, here are three lists of items to pack in a backpack for survival:
Urban Areas:
- One gallon of water
- High-energy non-perishable food items such as energy bars and nuts
- Weather-appropriate clothing and footwear
- First aid kit
- Personal hygiene items
- Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
- Flashlight with extra batteries
- Portable phone charger
- Cash and coins
- Basic tools such as a multi-tool and duct tape
- Any required Medications
Suburban Areas:
- Two gallons of water
- High-energy non-perishable food items such as energy bars and trail mix
- Weather-appropriate clothing and footwear
- First aid kit
- Personal hygiene items
- Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
- Flashlight with extra batteries
- Portable phone charger
- Cash and coins
- Basic tools such as a multi-tool, duct tape, and hammer
- Any required Medications
Rural Areas:
- Three gallons of water
- High-energy non-perishable food items such as energy bars, jerky, and dehydrated meals
- Weather-appropriate clothing and footwear
- First aid kit
- Personal hygiene items
- Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
- Flashlight with extra batteries
- Portable phone charger
- Cash and coins
- Basic tools such as a multi-tool, duct tape, and shovel
- Any required Medications
Basic tools such as a multi-tool, duct tape, and shovel
Remember, being prepared is essential for surviving any emergency. While these lists are not exhaustive, they provide a good starting point for building your own emergency preparedness kit. Stay safe and be ready for anything.
References:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Make a Plan. https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/plan.html
Federal Emergency Management Agency. (2022). Build A Kit. https://www.ready.gov/kit
American Red Cross. (2022). Emergency Preparedness Kit. https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emerg
