1. Get a Kit.
Following an emergency, you may have to live independently for a short time. For this reason, it is important that you gather some simple, yet very important items for use in the event of a disaster. It is generally recommended that you keep three days worth of supplies for each person. If you live on the Dartmouth campus it is unlikely that you would have to support yourself for three days, but nothing is impossible. After reviewing the following recommendations you will have a better grasp of the importance of your personal emergency kit.
What should be in your kit?
- One gallon of water per person per day
- Non-perishable food and a can opener for canned food
- A battery-powered AM/FM radio ideally with NOAA weather capability and extra batteries
- One or more flashlights with extra batteries; LED flashlights are recommended
- First aid kit
- Whistle to signal for help
- Dust masks
- Moist towelettes
- Plastic trash bags
- Basic tools such as a wrench, pliers, screwdrivers, a hammer, etc.
- A road map or atlas, ideally with laminated pages to keep it dry
- Cell phone and charger; keep your cell phone charged at all times
- Prescription medications
- A waterproof bag to seal important documents or copies of documents such as Social Security cards, a birth certificate, a passport, other identification, etc. Also include such things as a copy of your credit cards, your insurance policies, address book to retrieve important phone numbers, etc.
- Health insurance cards
- Cash or travelers checks
- Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person
- Feminine products
- Paper and pen/pencil
This is not an exhaustive list, but a guide to help you think about what items would be important to you in an emergency. Write a list that suits your needs and prepares you to live without support for up to three days.
For more information, please visit:
Ready.Gov
