It is important to remember that other factors such as your particular location (flood, tornado or hurricane zone), your local weather, personal/family medical needs, and pets, will also impact what your survival kit should contain.
In an emergency disaster survival situation, you want to try to be as prepared as possible. It is better to have something and not use it, than to need something and not have it. So in addition to your basic survival preparedness kit, here are a few more items to consider when putting together your survival kit.
· Prescription medications for yourself and family members (also note if these are to be taken with food, water, milk, etc)
· Eyeglasses and/or contact lenses
· Infant formula and diapers
· Pet food and extra water for your pet
· Copies of important family documents stored in a portable, waterproof container. These could include insurance policies, birth certificates, identification (passport ID page), bank account records, etc.
· Cash, travelers checks and change
· Emergency first aid reference material
· Sleeping bag or blanket for each person (additional bedding if you live in cold climate)
· Complete change(s) of clothing including long sleeve shirts, pants and shoes (boots). Again, additional clothing as appropriate for cold-weather climates
· Household chlorine bleach (unscented without additives) and an eyedropper. This can be used as a disinfectant (1 part bleach to 9 parts water) or in extreme situations to treat water (16 drops bleach to 1 gal of water)
· A fire extinguisher
· Strike anywhere matches in a waterproof container
· Feminine personal hygiene products
· Mess kits, one per person, including paper cups and plates, plastic utensils, and towels
· Paper and pencil
· Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children
Depending on your personal requirements, your emergency preparedness survival kit may include some, none, all or more of the items listed. Remember, the most important thing is to not just prepare your survival list in advance, but then to assemble it, since it’s better to have something and not use it, than to need something and not have it.
