Assemble or Update Your At-Home Emergency Supply Kit

Should you need to shelter at home, it is recommended your family keep emergency supplies to last you for seven days in an accessible kit. You can assemble your kit from things you already have around the house, and add water and food and other items you don't have over time. Try the 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 trick. Add one item to your disaster supply kit each time you visit the store.

What should be in the kit?

Water and Water Purification

Plan on 1 gallon of water per person per day. Your water storage is not just for drinking but also cleaning. You may store drinking water separately from other use water. Store your water in clean containers (do not use bottles that might contain contaminates) like old milk cartons and change it out every 6 months.

Unless you know it’s clean, always purify drinking water. Ways to purify water:
• Boil it for 3-5 minutes
• Add ¼ tsp. or 16 drops of bleach per gallon (add bleach and an eye dropper to your kit)
• Water purification filters and/or tablets (you can add a camping water filter and/or purification tablets)

Food

If you don’t eat it, don’t buy it to store for an emergency. Choose foods that will provide energy; avoid foods that will make you thirsty. Consider foods that don’t need much cooking; think about how you would cook food during a power outage. Cooking/eating utensils should be a part of the kit; you may want to add a portable camp stove and fuel for outside cooking.

Good Foods to Consider Shelf Life

Ready-to-eat Canned Meals (& can opener) 1 year
Protein Bars / Nuts 1 year
Dried Fruit / Fruit Bars 6 months
Crackers / Peanut Butter 1 year

It’s handy to store emergency food in 3-meal, 1-day packages in a cool, dry area. Always double check stored food before eating it.

Indoor Heaters/Generators

In Alaska it is important to have an emergency heat source for your family.

There are many indoor heating options. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for ventilating your heat source -
• Wood Stove
• Fireplace
• Propane Heaters

Generators can help meet your family’s minimum needs during and emergency. A portable generator is a simple, safe option. Keep fuel on hand for the generator and never run a generator indoors!

Communication

Weather radio (battery or crank powered)
Extra batteries

Helpful Tools

Flashlights and extra batteries/bulbs
Lighter and waterproof matches
Whistle
Duct Tape
Utility knife
Emergency Tools (wrench, Pry bar, etc)
Plastic sheeting and trash bags

Personal Care Items

First Aid Kit
Anti-bacterial soap
Medications
Extra eyeglasses / contacts
Tooth brushes and paste
Lidded bucket and liner bags for emergency toilet
Toilet paper / wipes
Sleeping bag or extra blankets
Extra hats / warm gloves