Assemble Disaster Supply Kits

Since you don't know where you'll be when an emergency occurs, it is important to prepare emergency supply kits for home, work, and for your vehicles. The following are some basic supplies your kits should include and can be purchased locally at retail stores throughout Irvine. These items will need to be customized to the ages of your children, your climate, and other variables. You should recycle perishable items (e.g., batteries, water, etc.) on a regular basis.

ALWAYS KEEP YOUR EMERGENCY KITS ACCESSIBLE. Stowing your kits in the back of a closet or in the rafters of your garage may cause them to become inaccessible in the event of a fire or major earthquake. Keep the kit in a visible designated location and have it ready for immediate use in the event you need to leave your home quickly.

Examples of containers used to store of your emergency supplies are:

  • Plastic trash cans
  • 5 gallon paint buckets
  • Plastic storage containers
  • Duffel bags
  • Backpacks

Regardless of what you choose to store your emergency supplies in, try to avoid containers made of paper, cardboard, or other materials likely to deteriorate over time. REMEMBER: Everyone in your family must be able to move and use your emergency kit. Although you want to keep your kit filled with everything you may need in the event of a disaster, it is recommended you keep your kits as light weight as possible for easy transportation and deployment. If necessary, place your emergency supplies into multiple containers to divide the weight and encumbrance.

Your Home Emergency Supply Kit

  • Three (3) day supply of non-perishable food
  • Three (3) day supply of water (one gallon per person per day)
  • Tools
    • Multi-tool
    • Hatchet
  • Matches or fire starter
  • Portable camping stove
    • Extra white gas and fuel bottles
  • Mess kit
    • Bowls
    • Cups
    • Spoons or sporks (forked spoon)
    • Cooking knife
    • 4 quart stock pot
    • Potassium Iodine (water purification) tablets
  • Portable AM/FM radio (preferably hand cranked or solar rechargeable)
  • Flashlight
  • Extra batteries
  • Camping lantern
  • First-aid kit and manual
    • Absorbent compress dressings
    • Assorted sized adhesive strip bandages
    • Roller gauze bandages
    • Assorted sized Sterile gauze pads
    • Adhesive cloth tape
    • Alcohol prep pads
    • Antibiotic ointment
    • Hydrocortisone ointment
    • Triangular bandages
    • Scissors
    • Tweezers
    • Non-latex gloves
    • Instant cold compress
    • Aspirin/Acetaminophen
    • Breathing barrier
  • Sanitation and hygiene items
    • Liquid hand sanitizer
    • Moist toilettes
    • Toilet paper
  • Whistle
  • Compass
  • Clothing
    • Extra clothing (warm and cool weather)
    • Rain gear
    • Sturdy Shoes
  • Blankets
  • Sleeping bags
  • Camping tent
  • Cash and coins (ATM's may be inoperable)
  • Important documents
    • Identification
    • Credit cards
    • Insurance information
    • Deeds
    • Marriage/birth certificates
    • Map of local area
  • Photographs of family members
  • Special needs items
    • Prescription medications
    • Eye glasses
    • Contact lens solution
    • Hearing aid batteries
  • Infant needs
    • Formula
    • Diapers
    • Bottles
    • Baby food
    • Pacifiers
  • Pet Supplies
  • Travel games and toys

Your Work Emergency Supply Kit

  • Energy bars and/or packaged trail mix
  • Bottled water
  • Travel size first-aid kit
  • Comfortable walking shoes
  • Kit should be in one container and be ready to grab and go in the event you are evacuated from your place of work

Your Vehicle Emergency Supply Kit

  • Energy bars and/or packaged trail mix
  • Bottled water
  • Travel size first-aid kit
  • Road flares
  • Jumper cables
  • Seasonal supplies (blankets, poncho, tools, etc.)

 

For additional information regarding disaster supply kits, please visit the following sites:

Orange County Red Cross
Ready OC - Orange County Emergency Preparedness Source
FEMA - Ready.gov