Emergency Preparedness - Where to Begin?
Get an Emergency Preparedness Kit
- Build an Emergency Kit
- Build a Bug Out Bag
- Create an Emergency Binder
- Purchase a First Aid Kit
- Select a secure and easy to find location to store your items
Make an Emergency Preparedness Plan
- Create an Evacuation Plan
- Create a Shelter in Place Plan
- Create a Communication Plan
Get Disaster Preparedness Supplies
- Create a food stockpile
- Create a stockpile of needed medications
- Create an emergency cash stockpile (For information on how to prepare your finances for a natural disaster click Here)
- Purchase a generator or solar charger
- Purchase self defense items such as pepper spray, a knife, a shotgun, rifle, handgun, and ammunition
Practice Disaster Preparedness Regularly
- Develop training drills and practice them regularly
- Stay up to date on First Aid training
- Practice self defense techniques
- Regularly visit the shooting range
Disaster Preparedness - Bug Out Bag Checklist
What to Put in Your Disaster Preparedness Bug Out Bag?
- Water: 1-3 quarts per person
- Water bottle
- Water treatment method: Such as a filter, water purification tabs, etc.
- Tent or tarp
- Sleeping bag, bivvy bag, or emergency blanket
- Survival food: Such as protein bars or MREs
- Fire starter
- First aid kit
- Self-defense weapon: Such as a firearm or pepper spray
- Hygiene kit: Such as toothbrush and paste, baby wipes, TP, feminine items...
- Change of clothes
- Rain jacket
- Brimmed hat: To protect your eyes from sun and rain
- Boots
- Survival knife
- Paracord
- Heavy duty work gloves
- Face mask or gas mask
- Emergency light: Such as a headlamp, flashlight, chemical lights...
- Emergency radio
- Vital Documents
- Cash: At least $50 is recommended
- Compass
- Maps: With evacuation route marked
- Waterproof cover and/or dry sack
(Optional Items)
- Camping stove and cook set
- Crowbar
- Lock picking set
- Pocket saw
- Sewing kit
- Survival guides
- Spare glasses and glasses case
- Folding shovel
- Trash bags
- Spare batteries
- Charging kit: Such as a solar charger for phones and batteries
- Duct tape
- Hand warmers
- Comfort and personal items: Such as toys for kids, playing cards, a book
Emergency Preparedness - Creating an Emergency Binder
Emergency Binder Contents
Financial Documents
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Copies of the fronts and backs of debit/credit cards
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Copies of house and car titles
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Copy of your will or living trust
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Names, addresses and phone numbers of all banks
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Other important documents related to employment and/or a family business
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Copies of your insurance policies (life, health, auto, homeowners, etc.)
For information on how to prepare your finances for a natural disaster click here
Personal Documents
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Names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses of relatives and close friends
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Copies of:
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Marriage license
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Birth certificates
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Drivers licenses
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CCW permits
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Pet vaccine records
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Passports
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Social Security cards
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A list of firearm serial numbers
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Legal documents pertaining to child custody or adoption
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Recent photos of each family member and each pet
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Color photos of your house and each room in the house
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Photos of anything of particular value
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Military documents
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Diplomas and transcripts
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Appraisals
Medical Documents
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Copy of health insurance cards
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A list of blood types for each family member
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Names, addresses and phone numbers of all doctors
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Medical histories of each family member
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Immunization records
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A list of current prescriptions, dosage, and pharmacy contact information