An emergency or disaster supplies kit is simply a collection of basic items your household may need in the event of an emergency.
Try to assemble your kit well in advance of an emergency. You may have to evacuate at a moment’s notice and take essentials with you. You will probably not have time to search for the supplies you need or shop for them.
You may need to survive on your own after an emergency. Local officials and relief workers will be on the scene after a disaster, but they cannot reach everyone immediately. You could get help in hours or it might take days. Additionally, basic services such as electricity, gas, water, sewage treatment and telephones may be cut off for days or even a week, or longer. This means having your own food, water and other supplies in sufficient quantity to last for at least 72 hours.
Your supplies kit should contain items to help you manage during these outages. Include items that you may use every day to live independently such as prescription medicines, diabetic supplies, food for special diets, hearing aids and batteries, durable medical equipment and other assistive technology devices, and consumable medical supplies.
