What Do You Need in an Emergency Supply Organizer?

The Basics

• Nonperishable food¸ enough water for every member of your household and your pets, prescription medications, at least $100 in cash, flashlight with extra batteries, battery operated or crank-style radio¸ blankets, at least one change of clothes per person, and sturdy, closed-toe shoes are critical to your immediate survival.
  
  Just how much food and water should you include? FEMA recommends one gallon per person per day for a minimum of seven days, and enough canned, freeze-dried, or dehydrated food for three meals a day for seven days. Don't forget a can opener, camping stove and propane, a supply of paper plates and plastic utensils as well as large plastic trash bags for both garbage and human waste.
  
  Prescription medications may be difficult to duplicate in your emergency supply organizer, so include paper copies of your prescriptions or the printouts from your pharmacy. Families with special needs, such as diapers for infants and toddlers, and canes, walkers or other medical supplies for seniors, should include these in their basic supplies.
  
  

The Paperwork

• In addition to the basic supplies, include the following important paperwork to speed the recovery process once the immediate threat to safety has passed: copies of insurance policies, copies of vital records such as birth certificates, marriage licenses, bank-account information, Social Security records, military discharge papers, and the deed or mortgage documents related to your home.
  
  Unless you are a regular world traveler, consider storing your passport with your emergency supplies. Having quick access to your passport can help in the identification process if you lose your drivers license or birth certificate, and including past utility bills in your emergency supplies can help establish your residency when authorities allow evacuees back into the disaster area.
  
  

Additional Comfort Supplies

• Sleeping bags, tents, and a first aid kit can make an emergency more comfortable. Books, toys, puzzles and games help pass the time and keep kids occupied.
  
  

Storing Your Emergency Supplies

• Keeping your supplies together makes them easier to access in an emergency. A large trash can¸ preferably with wheels, can hold the supplies and your important documents in one location. While homeowners may be tempted to hide the supplies in a far corner of the garage, basement or storage shed, FEMA recommends storing your emergency supplies where you can get to them quickly. In addition to having your supplies when you need them, keeping them at hand makes it easier to check food for expiration dates and rotate water supplies so they never go stale.