Emergency Kits

A 72-hour emergency kit is a collection of basic supplies you keep at home so you and your family can manage for at least three days if an emergency disrupts power, water, food, transportation, or other essential services.

How to prepare an Emergency Kit

Emergency Kit checklist:

• Contact list
• Important papers (identification, contact lists, copies of prescriptions, etc.)
• Family Preparedness Wallet Cards (PDF)
• At least one week supply of any medication your family members need, extra eyeglasses, extra oxygen cylinder and copies of prescriptions
• At least three day supply of food including ready-to-eat foods (canned food, crackers, peanut butter, sugar, instant coffee, tea, etc.) Replace canned and dry food once a year
• At least four litres of water per person in your house (2L for drinking, 2L for food preparation, hygiene and dishwashing)
• A supply of water purification tablets
• Keep in mind the special needs of people in your house: babies and toddlers may need milk, formula and diapers
• Three day supply of pet food and water
• Manual can opener
• Flashlight
• Radio (crank or battery-run)
• Extra batteries
• First-aid kit
• Candles and matches/lighter
• Hand sanitizer or moist towelettes
• Extra car keys and cash
• Whistle
• Garbage bags
• Cash

Car Emergency Kit checklist:

• Shovel
• Sand, salt or kitty litter
• Traction mats
• Tow chain
• Compass
• Cloth or roll of paper towels
• Warning light or road flares
• Extra clothing and footwear
• Emergency food pack
• Axe or hatchet
• Booster cables
• Ice scraper and brush
• Road maps
• Matches and a "survival" candle in a deep can
• Fire extinguisher
• Methyl hydrate (for fuel line and windshield de-icing)
• Flashlight
• First-aid kit with seatbelt cutter
• Blanket (special "survival" blankets are best)

Additional Resources

• Emergency Management Ontario
• Emergency Preparedness Brochure - Emergency Management Ontario
• Emergency Preparedness Checklist Bookmark - Emergency Management Ontario
• Pet Emergency Preparedness Checklist Brochure - Emergency Management Ontario
• Family Preparedness Wallet Cards - County of Brant