There are basic supplies that you should have at home, work and in your vehicle.   These supplies should be collected ahead of time and be easily accessible in the case of an emergency or disaster. Every family member should know where these supplies are located and what is in the kits.
Kits can be purchased from emergency supply companies and then personalized to suit your needs.

You can also put your own kits together by using the following Emergency Supply Checklist as a guide. Remember to check your supplies at least every 6 months and rotate perishables as required.  Every member in your family including your pet(s) need emergency supplies.
 

Emergency Supplies Checklist

The following is a list of basic items that should be contained in your Emergency Supply Kit for your home. The kit should be stored in plastic tubs or plastic garbage cans on wheels and be located in a safe easily accessible area.  All supplies in your kit might not be needed if you have to evacuate your home. What you take will depend on the situation.

Water 
At least four litres of water per person per day is required (two litres for drinking and the remaining two for food preparation, hygiene and dish washing). Used plastic milk containers, even if washed, are not sterile and should not be used for storing water. Water should be stored in clean sterilized containers in your Emergency Supply Kit and replaced with fresh water every six months. Alternatively, water can also be stored in clear sterilized containers and kept in the freezer and rotated less often than every six months.

Food 
When assembling the food items for your kit choose foods that:

• You are familiar with
• Do not require refrigeration
• Need little or no preparation
• Will not increase thirst
• Require little or no water to prepare
• Meet the needs of the individuals using the kits (babies, children, elderly, special diets, food allergies, etc.)
• A manual can opener should be included with the food items in your kit.
• Canned food, juices, dried fruit and dehydrated food are good choices. 
• Other items to consider including in your Emergency Supply Kit are: milk, high energy foods like peanut butter, jelly, low sodium crackers, granola bars, and trail mix, vitamins, cookies, hard candy, instant coffee, cereals, and powered milk.

All canned food and dry goods in your kit should be replaced once a year. Emergency Food Rations and Emergency Purified Drinking Water with a shelf life of 5 years can also be purchased through emergency supplies companies.

Equipment:  Kitchen items

• knives, forks, spoons
• disposable cups and plates
• manual can opener, bottle opener
• all purpose knives
• household liquid bleach (to treat drinking water) click here for instructions
• waterproof matches
• plastic garbage bags
• sugar, salt, pepper
• aluminium foil and plastic wrap
• resealable plastic bags or small containers
• small fuel stove and a can of cooking fuel for food that requires cooking (follow manufacturer's instructions for stove and fuel). Barbeques and propane stoves are good alternate cooking sources but are never to be used indoors. Remember to store fuel safely.

Emergency First Aid Kit
Purchase a well stocked ready made Emergency First Aid Kit. These kits are available through various sources and extra items can be added to fit specific needs.  Some of the tailored items you might want to include in your kit are: 

• Prescription medication. Ensure all drugs are stored to meet instructions on the label and recommendations from your pharmacist.  If possible, purchase an extra weeks supply of medication for your Emergency First Aid Kit and rotate the supply whenever you refill your prescription.
• Extra eyeglasses and/or contact lens and cleaners. When purchasing a new pair of glasses consider placing the old pair in your Emergency First Aid Kit.

For more information on putting together your own first aid kit, visit the Provincial Emergency Program web site at http://www.pep.bc.ca/ for ideas.

Tools, Emergency Supplies and Other items

• hand cranked, solar powered or battery operated radio with extra batteries
• hand cranked, solar powered or battery operated flash lights with extra batteries
• Light sticks (can be used as a source of light, or for signalling purposes)
• waterproof matches or matches in a waterproof container
• gas shut-off wrench, pliers, shovel and other tools
• duct tape
• scissors or all purpose knife
• plastic sheeting
• whistle
• small canister, ABC type Fire Extinguisher
• tube tent or extra large orange garbage bags
• maps of the area, compass
• work gloves, dust masks
• paper, pens and pencils
• needles and thread
• Sanitation and Hygiene Items
• washcloth and towel
• towelettes, soap, hand sanitizer, and liquid detergent
• toothpaste, toothbrush(s), shampoo, deodorant, comb and brush, razor, shaving cream, lip balm, sunscreen, insect repellent, mirror, toilet paper, feminine products, baby and/or special needs items as required
• heavy duty plastic garbage bags and ties for personal sanitation uses
• medium sized plastic bucket with tight lid to use as a make shift toilet  (consider using a small shovel for digging a latrine if the need arises)
• disinfectant and household chlorine bleach

Clothes and Bedding 

• a complete change of clothes for each household member, extra socks, underwear, extra diapers and baby products if necessary
• rain gear, hat and gloves
• sturdy footwear for each household member
• sunglasses
• sleeping bags, blankets, or thermal blankets

Speciality items (for the needs of infants, children, elderly, disabled persons and pets)

• baby formula, food, teething gels, powders and diaper rash creams 
• entertainment and comfort items for children
• books
• medication, dentures and cleaning supplies, hearing aid and batteries
• pet food, water, dish, medication and toys

Emergency Survival Kit  "Grab and Go Bag" (could also be used for work or vehicle)

• back pack (used as storage container for supplies)
• a list of all contents of kit
• first aid kit and instruction booklet (taking an accredited course is recommended)
• water: bottled water or 5 year shelf life type emergency packaged water and possibly some juice boxes
• food: energy bars, granola, fruit leather bars or 5 year shelf life type emergency food bars,
• hand cranked, solar powered or battery operated radio with extra batteries
• hand cranked, solar powered or battery operated flash lights with extra batteries
• rain gear, emergency ("space") silver blankets or large orange garbage bags
• work gloves and dust masks
• spare set of clothes including sturdy footwear
• matches and candles
• swiss Army type knife
• light sticks (minimum 2)
• whistle
• duct tape
• rope
• identification (including information regarding medical needs or medication)
• important phone numbers such as number for your Out of Province/Area Contact Person
• spare glasses (as needed)
• prescription and non prescription medications (i.e., asprin)
• map and compass
• pen and pencil
• special items for baby etc.
• personal hygiene items (toothbrush and paste, waterless hand sanitizer, shampoo, deodorant, toilet paper/Kleenex, cards, games, books, etc.)

Work Place Kit (personalized to meet individual needs)

• water and food
• a few personal hygiene items
• small flashlight and batteries
• comfortable flat shoes
• prescription and non prescription medications (i.e. asprin)

Personal Emergency Preparedness Checklist for People with Disabilities

Complete the following Activities

• Establish a personal support network.
• Customize an emergency health information card. Keep copies in wallet, purse and emergency supply kits.
• Complete an emergency contact list.
• Collect important documents. Store them in emergency supply kits, wallet and safe deposit box and give copies to personal support network and out of area contact.
• Conduct an ability self-assessment.
• Collect Grab and Go supplies to keep with you at all times.  Include disability –related supplies in the kits.
• Maintain a seven day supply of essential medications.
• Keep important equipment and assistive devices in consistent, convenient and secured place.
• Keep a whistle and a flashlight near you as this will help others find you in an emergency situation. The international signal for help is 3 short blasts
• Write out instructions for items you will need help with in an emergency.
• If you use a service animal be aware that your animal might not react as he/she usually does if there is a large disaster such as an earthquake.

Printable Emergency Supply Checklist

Printable Personal Emergency Preparedness Checklist for People with Disabilities