Experience shows that individuals may need to survive on their own after a major disaster for three days or more. A disaster supply kit will help. The Extension Disaster Education Network (EDEN) and Purdue Extension are providing you with this list of essentials that should be placed in a portable disaster “to go” bag.

You will find a family disaster plan at http://extension.missouri.edu/cooper/
family_disaster_plan.pdf. Our goal is to reduce the impact of disaster through education. We hope this helps you.

General Contents

• Copy of family disaster plan with listing of medications & important numbers
• Photocopies of credit and identification cards
• Battery powered (or Crank) radio and extra batteries
• Battery powered (or Crank) flashlight and extra batteries
• Blanket or emergency blanket (Mylar)
• First aid kit and manual
• Bottled water
• Non-perishable, high-energy foods, such as granola bars, raisins, canned meat and peanut butter
• Sanitation and hygiene items (moist towelettes and toilet paper)
• Note pad and pencil
• Sturdy shoes/boots, stocking cap
• Extra set of clothes & underclothes
• Whistle and hand-held mirror or flare
• Hand/foot/body warmers
• Camping matches
• Special needs items, such as prescription medications, eye glasses, contact lens solutions, and hearing aid batteries

Additional Contents
for Winter

Maintaining Your Kit

• Keep canned foods in a dry place where the temperature is cool.
• Store boxed food in tightly closed plastic or metal containers to protect from pests and to extend its shelf life.
• Throw out any canned good that becomes swollen, dented, or corroded.
• Use foods before they go bad, and replace them with fresh supplies.
• Place new items at the back of the storage area and older ones in the front.
• Change stored food and water supplies every six months. Be sure to write the date you store it on all containers.