Emergency Survival Kit Checklist
An Emergency Survival kit is what you need if disaster strikes at home and you have to manage on your own at home without power, water, sewerage etc. It is different from an Emergency Evacuation Kit.
Your Emergency Survival Kit should be kept in a large box somewhere in your house. Every member should know where it is. You should also keep your household emergency plan in this box. (see www.getthrough.govt.nz for a copy of this plan). You may also wish to read our article on Anxiety and Clingy children, as natural disasters often provoke a separation fear.
I have found the Get Through web site useful, but lacking in specific detail for Survival and evacuation kits. So here is my list. I welcome your suggestions / additions. You can download a printer friendly PDF version of this list here: [download id=”4″]
Basic Essentials (everyone MUST have):
ITEMS
- Torch and spare batteries (numerous wind ups / battery free options are available at children’s science shops, Bunnings Warehouse and others)
- Radio with spare batteries (we found a ‘wind up’ radio and torch combination at Katmandu, expensive but very practical)
- First aid kit
- Toilet paper & large rubbish bags for your emergency toilet
- Face & dust masks
- Cash and cheque book (cash should be in small denominations, as much as possible in case EFTPOS machines are not working)
- Duct tape to tape up windows etc.
* If you are very cautious, or if you live in a high rise apartment, there is wisdom in what the Japanese do (I have a son in Tokyo). Sleep with a torch and a whistle beside your bed. The whistle will be louder than your cries for help if you are stuck, and the torch will give you light if you have to make your way out in the dark.
FOOD & WATER FOR 3 DAYS
Non-perishable food
Here’s my list for a family of 5
BREAKFAST:
1 lg pkt rolled oats (breakfast)
1 small pkt brown sugar
1 kg pkt milk powder
LUNCH:
Maggi dried soup (6 pkts) or tinned if preferred / if you have space
5 pkts 2 minute noodles (add noodles to soup for extra flavour / content)
Small Jar of marmite / jam
3 pkts cracker type biscuits (the healthy ones e.g. Huntly Palmers Litebread)
3 bars of chocolate
Long life cheddar / processed cheese
DINNER:
3 tins Edgels tiny tatties (tinned potatoes)
3 tins green veges (e.g. peas, beans)
3 tins corn
3 tins mixed beans (protein)
1 x Jar of olives / pickles (luxury, but nice)
3 pkts sweet biscuits (e.g. chocolate or some other “comfort” food)
Packet of corn chips & dip
Water
Here’s my essentials:
- 1 large drink bottle per family member
- 1 hand held water filter (available from camping stores)
- 1 pkt water purification tablets (available from camping stores)
- 5 x 1.25 litre bottles (e.g. cola bottles) of frozen water in the freezer
- 1 x 20 litre water container (to be filled up by water delivery trucks).
If no one in your family is strong enough to carry this then make it 2 x 10 litre containers, get a large plastic container from the Warehouse or Plastic Box to put all this in and store it in an easy to get place – your garage, store room, hall cupboard etc. Other recommendations are to store it in a backpack or a small suitcase on wheels.
Emergency ACTIONS:
- Fill all baths / sinks with water (remember the plug) – this will be a great extra supply
- Turn off all water, gas and electricity (prevent fires and other accidents)
- Tape up windows (in case of strong winds, smoke, ash, breaking windows)
- Put your strong walking shoes on (keep you safe from injury)
- If possible ensure your petrol tanks and gas cylinders are full
Check out the Emergency Evacuation Kit for a complete list of what you need if you have to leave / evacuate / run from your home.
