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Unexpected situations happen every day. Having supplies is one thing you can do to help your household better manage disruptions whether they are big or small.
Emergency Supplies
Table 1. Supplies for sheltering at home and emergency kits
| | Sheltering at home
(minimum 14 days) | Emergency kit
(minimum 72 hours) |
|---|
| Food |
- Canned goods like beans, soup and pasta
- Dry pasta, beans, rice or other grains
- Frozen foods such as fruit, vegetables, meat and meat alternatives
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- Snacks like granola or energy bars, dried fruit or trail mix
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| Water and liquids (4 litres, per person, per day) |
- Minimum 72 hour supply of water and electrolytes
|
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| Medical supplies |
- Adequate supply of any prescription drugs, such as heart medication, insulin for people with diabetes and inhalers for people with asthma
- Over-the-counter medications such as pain relievers, cold medications, digestive aids and anti-nausea
- Essential medical equipment with backup power
- Back-up pair of glasses and/or extra contact lenses and solution
|
|---|
| Critical records |
- Have a copy of all personal documents in a protective, sealable bag
- Include identification, birth certificates, passports, citizenship papers, Social Insurance Numbers, emergency contact list, critical medical records and prescriptions
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| First aid kit |
- Gauze, bandages, tape and antibacterial ointment
- Antiseptic wipes and protective gloves
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| Sanitation supplies |
- Hand sanitizer and wipes
- Non-medical masks
- Soaps and household cleaning supplies
- Personal hygiene products
- Trash bags
- Tissues, toilet paper and paper towels
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- Portable cleaning wipes, non-medical masks, hand sanitizer and trash bags
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| Other items |
- Enough emergency cash to cover up to 2 weeks of incidental expenses, if possible
- Battery-powered or crank radio and flashlight, candles and matches or a lighter
- Vitamins and supplements
- Space heaters and extra blankets
- Essential tools like a can opener or a multi-tool
- Extra batteries for household items and medical equipment
- Entertainment, such as board games, movies, podcasts and books
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- Enough emergency cash to cover up to 72 hours of incidental expenses, if possible
- A multi-tool
- Books and portable toys and games
- Electronics with a vehicle charger
- Extra blankets
- Battery-powered or crank radio and flashlight, candles and matches or a lighter
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You can also buy prepackaged basic kits, including vehicle and pet kits. Pre-purchased kits will need to be personalized for your specific needs.
Emergency Kit Checklists:
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Pregnancy, Breastfeeding or Infant Children
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If you are pregnant, breastfeeding or have infant children you will want to include the following in your emergency kit:
- feeding items:
- breastfeeding aides
- formula
- bottles
- baby food
- extra water
- diapers, wipes and extra clothes
- prenatal vitamins, ointments and medications for mom and child (over-the-counter and prescription)
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Mobility
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If you have mobility needs you will want to include additional supports. For example, if you use a wheelchair you may want to include:
- tire patch kit or can of seal-in-air product to repair flat tires on your wheelchair or scooter
- supply of inner tubes
- pair of heavy gloves to protect your hands while wheeling over glass or other sharp debris
- latex-free gloves for anyone providing personal care to you
- spare deep-cycle battery for a motorized wheelchair or scooter
- a lightweight, manual wheelchair as a backup to a motorized wheelchair, if possible
- spare catheters, if needed
- your power outage backup emergency plan
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Allergies and Chronic Conditions
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If you have severe allergies, dietary restrictions, chronic medical conditions or other medical needs, you will want to include the necessary supplies. For example, if you have diabetes you will want to include:
- MedicAlert bracelet or identification
- extra supply of insulin or oral agent
- pump supplies, syringes, needles and insulin pens
- small container for storing used syringes and/or needles
- blood glucose testing kit, spare batteries and record book
- supply of blood glucose and urine ketone testing strips and fast acting insulin for high blood glucose, if needed
- fast acting sugar for low blood glucose
- extra food to cover delayed meals
- ice packs and thermal bag to store insulin
- additional snacks to maintain blood glucose
Talk to your healthcare professional for advice.
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Updating your supplies
Use the change in seasons as a reminder to check your supplies and kits to ensure:
- food and medications are not expired
- the water is fresh
- clothing still fits and is season appropriate
- personal documents and credit cards are up-to-date
- batteries are charged
You should also consider seasonal requirements when you update your kits.
In the spring include:
- bug spray
- sunscreen
- hats
- lighter clothing
In the fall include:
- warm clothing
- extra blankets
When packing your supplies, group like items and package them in clear plastic bags to help organize and protect them from melting, broken or spoiled items.
Make a mini kit
Being prepared can take the inconvenience out of unexpected situations. Having a small kit with your every day items you don’t want to leave home without can help you be prepared for many situations.
Items to consider include:
- small amount of cash
- hand sanitizer and extra non-medical mask
- bus tickets
- package of wipes/tissue
- painkiller and back-up medication
- back-up pair of glasses/contact lenses and solution
- paper and pencil
- important phone numbers
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