We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Home

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is a Disaster Kit?

Mary McMahon
By
Updated: Feb 17, 2024
Views: 7,671
Share

A disaster kit is a collection of supplies which are bundled together to be conveniently available in the event of an emergency. Disaster kits can be evacuated with their owners in the event of severe weather or a civil emergency, and they can also be used to shelter in place. Ideally, the supplies in a disaster kit should be enough to sustain a household for three days, and disaster kits should be regularly checked for expired items and restocked to ensure that the kit is up to date in an emergency.

Several companies sell disaster kits which are ready for use, and disaster-prone municipalities sometimes give out free emergency kits for earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, and other common problems. It is also possible to assemble one's own. A disaster kit should be kept in waterproof tubs, which will ensure that the supplies inside cannot be damaged by flooding and bad weather, while making everything in the kit conveniently accessible. Some people like to keep a disaster kit in the car and one at home, so that they are prepared if they are unable to go home during an evacuation.

Disaster kits need several types of supplies: food, water, medical items, personal hygiene items, clothing, tools, and special items. Foods should be long-lasting canned, dried, or otherwise preserved goods, and it is important to pack supplies to access the food, such as can openers and cookstoves. There should be enough water in a disaster kit for everyone to have one gallon (3.8 liters) per day for three days, and medical items should include a first aid kit, along with specific medications needed by people in the household, and items for comfort like sunscreen and bug spray.

Personal hygiene items like toilet paper, feminine hygiene supplies, plastic bags, bleach for sanitation, soap, sanitation wipes, and diapers for babies are important, as are multiple changes of clothing, including footwear. A disaster kit should also include blankets and sleeping bags for sheltering, and a portable tent can also be useful. Tools like flashlights, radios, batteries, knives, and wrenches can be extremely useful, as can hand-cranked power sources in the event that batteries fail.

The special items in a disaster kit include things like copies of important documents, a ready supply of cash, supplies for pets, and entertainment material like books. It may also be useful to have special items which pertain to likely disasters such as earthquakes or hurricanes. When assembling the kit, it may help to record the things used around the house in normal circumstances over the course of a week or two, to take note of particular items which are used on a regular basis, so that they can be included in a disaster kit.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Mary McMahon
By Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGeek researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a...

Learn more
Share
https://www.wise-geek.com/what-is-a-disaster-kit.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.