After a major disaster, the usual services we take for granted such as running water, refrigeration, and telephones, may be unavailable. The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the American Red Cross recommend that your emergency kit should include enough supplies to get you through at least three days.

Your basic emergency kit should include:

• Water have one gallon per person per day
• Food ready to eat or requiring minimal water, such as HeaterMeals
• First Aid kit
• A copy of important family documents
• Warm clothes and rain gear
• Blanket or sleeping bag
• Heavy work gloves
• Unscented liquid household bleach and an eyedropper for water purification
• Personal hygiene items (hand sanitizer, toilet paper, soap, etc.)
• Duct tape and tools
• Blanket or sleeping bag
• Large heavy duty plastic bags and a plastic bucket
• Any special items for children, seniors, people with disabilities, and pets.

Having your bag packed well in advance of an emergency will help you use your limited time in case of an evacuation in the most valuable way.