Extension for Real Life

How to Build an Emergency Kit

Disaster can strike at any moment, whether that be flood, hurricane, fire, winter storm, or tornado, and these disasters can strike with little to no warning. In the face of an emergency, stores may be closed, shelves may be empty, and time is not on your side. That’s why it’s important to be proactive instead of reactive when preparing for emergencies and disasters.

Preparing before disaster strikes helps reduce panic, keeps you safer, and allows you to focus on protecting loved ones instead of frantically scrambling to gather items.

Creating an emergency kit and an evacuation "To Go" box to keep in your home is a simple and effective way to help you be prepared. What is an emergency kit? It is a box that contains essential supplies you may need when having to evacuate or shelter in place. Our partners at the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency have a great resource to help you understand what to include in your box. 

You’ll need a large storage container to keep all your supplies in one spot. Here’s a list of items to consider including in your emergency kit:

• Water and food for 3-7 days
  • Store at least one gallon of water daily per person.
  • Collect non-perishable food items like shelf-stable snacks, canned food, and paper plates/utensils.
• First aid kit
  • two-week supply of prescribed medication
  • bandages
  • burn cream
  • aspirin
  • pain relievers
  • rubbing alcohol
  • hydrogen peroxide
• Blankets and pillows
• Toiletries
• Flashlight
  • Have one flashlight per person.
• Batteries and chargers
• Radio
  • A hand-cranked radio is ideal.
• Cash, rolls of quarters, and/or blank checks
• Extra set of keys for home and car
• Whistle
• Important documents stored in a waterproof bag
  • deeds
  • titles
  • mortgages
  • bank information
  • birth, marriage, and death certificates
  • adoption papers
  • child custody papers
  • copies of passports
  • appraisals
  • leases and other contracts
  • trust documents
  • copies of power of attorney, wills, and trusts
  • insurance policies

These items are just the highlights. MEMA’s website has a full list of items to consider putting in your kit, including lists for people with mobility, sensory, and cognitive disabilities. Get additional tips and resources from the MSU Extension Dawg Tracks Safety Talk Newsletter on emergency action. 

An emergency kit ensures you have the essentials ready when you need to evacuate or shelter in place. A little bit of planning ahead can help reduce the stress of already stressful situations and help keep you and your loved ones safe.