Emergency Preparedness Kit

Why Build A Kit

An emergency preparedness kit is simply a collection of basic items your household may need in the event of an emergency. Try to assemble your kit well in advance of an emergency. You may have to evacuate at a moment’s notice and take essentials with you. You will probably not have time to search for the supplies you need or shop for them.

You may need to survive on your own after an emergency. This means having your own food, water and other supplies in sufficient quantity to last for at least 72 hours. However, because Blaine County is located in a rural part of the country, it would be prudent to have at least 5 days of these supplies on hand. Local officials and relief workers will be on the scene after a disaster but they cannot reach everyone immediately. You could get help in hours or it might take days.

Additionally, basic services such as electricity, gas, water, sewage treatment and telephones may be cut off for days or even a week, or longer. Your supplies kit should contain items to help you manage during these outages.

Basic Emergency Preparedness Kit

A basic emergency kit could include the following recommended items:

• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
• Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger
• Dust mask to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
• First aid kit
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food (five day supply recommended for Blaine County)
• Local maps
• Manual can opener for food
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
• Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation (five day supply recommended for Blaine County)
• Whistle to signal for help
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities

View the Recommended Supplies List (PDF).

Additional Emergency Supplies

Once you have gathered the supplies for a basic emergency kit, you may want to consider adding the following items:

• Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children
• Cash or traveler’s checks and change, as machines which use credit and debit cards (gas stations, stores, ATMs) may not be operational.
• Complete change of clothing including a long sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes. Consider additional clothing for cold-weather climate.
• Emergency reference material such as a first aid book or free information from this website. (View Publications)
• Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
• Fire extinguisher
• Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper - When diluted, nine parts water to one part bleach, bleach can be used as a disinfectant. Or in an emergency, you can use it to treat water by using 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water. Do not use scented, color safe or bleaches with added cleaners.
• Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container. You can use the Emergency Financial First Aid Kit - EFFAK developed by Operation Hope, FEMA and Citizen Corps to help you organize your information.
• Infant formula and diapers
• Matches in a waterproof container
• Mess kits, paper cups, plates, paper towels and plastic utensils
• Paper and pencil
• Pet food and extra water for your pet
• Prescription medications and glasses
• Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person. Consider additional bedding for cold-weather climate.