Emergency Supplies Everyone Should Have in the Home

Eighty percent of Americans live in a county that’s been hit by a weather-related disaster—but only about half of us have emergency supplies in place, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Don’t be unprepared! Compile the items in this FEMA-approved list and keep them in a secure, dry place; they’ll help keep your family safe and comfortable in the case of an adverse event.
    

Water

Aim for 1 gallon of water per person per day for at least three days. “You’ll use this not just for hydration, but also for things like sanitation, brushing your teeth, and possibly cooking,” says Joie Acosta, a senior behavioral scientist at RAND Corporation who specializes in disaster preparedness and building community resilience.
    

Food

Gather at least a three-day supply of nonperishables (plus formula if you have a formula-fed baby). “Include foods your family likes,” Acosta says—it boosts morale. If your stash includes canned foods, make sure to have a can opener.
     

Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Weather Radio

You won’t be dependent on your cellphones, TVs, or the Internet to get the big picture as to what’s going on.
     

First aid kit

Buy one or assemble your own so you can treat minor ailments and injuries without leaving home. The Red Cross recommends the following items for a family of four:

• 2 absorbent compress dressings (5-by-9 inches)
• 25 assorted adhesive bandages, one adhesive cloth tape (10 yards by 1 inch)
• 5 antibiotic ointment packets (about 1 gram each)
• 5 antiseptic wipe packets
• 2 packets of aspirin (81 mg each—do not give aspirin to a child unless under doctor’s instructions)
• 1 blanket
• 1 breathing barrier with one-way valve
• 1 instant cold compress
• 2 pairs of non-latex gloves (large size)
• 2 hydrocortisone ointment packets (about 1 gram each)
• scissors
• 1 roller bandage (3 inches wide)
• 1 roller bandage (4 inches wide)
• 5 sterile gauze pads (3-by-3 inches)
• 5 sterile gauze pads (4-by-4 inches)
• oral thermometer (non-mercury and non-glass)
• 2 triangular bandages
• tweezers
• a first aid instruction booklet  
       

Flashlight with additional batteries

If the power’s out, you’ll still be able to see at night—and to comfort your children if they’re afraid of the dark.