Basic Emergency Preparedness Checklist

Emergency Preparedness Kits should be built with your family’s needs and preferences in mind.

They should be designed to sustain your family for at least 72 hours with no power, electricity, or heat. Emergency Kits should be checked every six months and replenished as needed.  Change your clocks, check your stocks! 

□  Water – two litres of water per person or pet per day

□  Food – that will not spoil, such as canned food; energy bars and dried foods that your family will eat

□  Manual can opener

□  Wind-up or battery-powered flashlight and radio with extra batteries (if applicable)

□  First Aid Kit  (consider taking a CPR/First Aid course)

□  Extra keys (for your car and house)

□  Cash and change with mixed denominations

□  Important family documents such as identification, insurance, and bank records

□  Emergency Plan include a copy in your kit

□  Candles and matches or lighter

□  Change of clothing and footwear for each household member

□  Toiletries and personal hygiene items

□  Hand sanitizer, toilet paper and garbage bags

□  Mobile phone charger and battery bank

□  Utensils, plates and cups

□  Unscented bleach (for cleaning and water purification)

□  Basic tools (hammer, pliers, wrench, screwdrivers, work gloves, pocketknife)

□  Whistle (to attract attention)

□  Duct tape

Additional Considerations

□ Pet Emergency Kit (see our Disaster Preparedness for Pets page for more information)

□ Infant formula, baby food and supplies

□ Activities for children, like books, puzzles or toys

□ Prescription medications, medical equipment


Specific Disaster Related Items 

Every disaster has additional recommendations for an emergency preparedness kit, an example being additional blankets, warm clothes, and winter coats during a Winter Storm.  These specific disaster related recommendations will be included in risk specific pages.  Utlimately, the emergency preparedness kit should reflect you and your family's needs and this is the mimumum amount of items that should be considered for emergency preparedness.