15 must-have items for your emergency survival kit

In the event of a catastrophic distaster, help or rescue may not even arrive for more than 72 hours. The Red Cross generated a list of items that every household should include in their emergency survival kits. Click through the slideshow to view all of the items.

Water: You'll need one gallon per person, per day. A 3-day supply is recommended for evacuations, and a 2-week supply if you are stuck at home. (Image via Amazon)

Food: You'll need non-perishable, easy-to-prepare items - preferably foods dense in calories like canned tuna or chili. Again, a 3-day supply is recommended for evacuations, and a 2-week supply for home. (Image by Wikimedia user ProjectManhattan)

Flashlight: [Available on the Red Cross Store] (Image via Amazon)

Battery-powered or hand-crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio, if possible) [Available on the Red Cross Store] (Image via Red Cross)

Extra batteries: To keep your battery-powered radio going. (Image via Amazon)

First Aid Kit: [Available on the Red Cross Store] (Image via Amazon)

Medications (7-day supply) and medical items (Image via Wikimedia Commons user ParentingPatch)

Multi-purpose tool: Better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it. (Image via Amazon)

Personal hygiene kit: If you're trapped in your house with other people for a few days, you're going to wish you had these on hand. (Image via Amazon)

Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies) - These may be needed in case of a medical emergency or during relocating. (Image via Amazon)

Cell phone with chargers: Portable chargers are a good idea in the event that your electricity is out. (Image by Dave Clausen via Wikimedia Commons)

Family and emergency contact information: It's always good to have a hard copy. (Image via Amazon)

Extra cash: If electricity is out, chances are you won't be able to use plastic to make any purchases.

Emergency blanket: [Available on the Red Cross Store] (Image via Amazon)

Map(s) of the area: If there's no cell service, your smart phone's GPS won't do you much good. (Image via seattle.gov)

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In the event of a catastrophic distaster, help or rescue may not even arrive for more than 72 hours. The Red Cross generated a list of items that every household should include in their emergency survival kits. Click through the slideshow to view all of the items.

By Web Staff

Aug 13, 2015

The New Yorker’s viral July article has a lot of people talking about emergency preparation. If a national disaster strikes in your area, will you and your family be prepared?

As a rule of thumb for planning an emergency survival kit, remember that the federal government expects the public to be self-sufficient for 72 hours. In case of catastrophe, help or rescue may not even arrive until then. Having basic supplies ready is key in this scenario.

The Red Cross generated a list of items that every household should include in their emergency kits:

• Water: one gallon per person, per day (3-day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for home)

• Food: non-perishable, easy-to-prepare items (3-day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for home)

• Flashlight [Available on the Red Cross Store]

• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio, if possible) [Available on the Red Cross Store]

• Extra batteries

• First aid kit [Available on the Red Cross Store]

• Medications (7-day supply) and medical items

• Multi-purpose tool

• Sanitation and personal hygiene items

• Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies)

• Cell phone with chargers

• Family and emergency contact information

• Extra cash

• Emergency blanket [Available on the Red Cross Store]

• Map(s) of the area

Forget pandemic sourdough, its time for hardtack as survival food

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Web Staff