Emergency kit supplies to include

A disaster or emergency could leave you without power and/or help for several days, so take the steps to be prepared with an emergency kit.

What you need in your emergency kit will depend on if it's for your home, car, boat or RV, what kind of disaster you could be facing as well as whether your family has a pet. You can use a storage bin, large backpack or duffel bag to store your items so that you can easily grab or move them.

Home emergency kit

The basics of any emergency kit should include water and food.

The American Red Cross recommends one gallon of water per person, per day. When deciding how many days to consider, the Red Cross suggests planning the amount of food and water you need is a three-day supply for evacuations and a two-week supply for sheltering at home.

Non-perishable, easy-to-prepare foods that your family is willing to eat should go into your kit. When preparing a kit, Ready.gov suggests considering:

• Canned meats, fruits and vegetables
• Pasteurized milk and fruit juices
• Protein or fruit bars
• Dry cereal or granola
• Peanut butter
• Dried fruit
• High energy food like canned lentils, canned beans or crackers
• Comfort foods

Consider any special dietary needs for infants, children and adults when planning your food and check your kit every six months for expired foods.

Additional items for a basic survival kit include:

• A first-aid kit with a variety of bandages for minor cuts. Your kit should include items such as gauze dressing pads, bandage rolls, first-aid tape, face masks, antibiotic ointment, tweezers and scissors.
• Medications including a seven-day supply of all prescription medication everyone in the household may need as well as pain relievers, stomach remedies and allergy medicines. It's also important to check your kit every six months for expired medicines.
• Equipment such as a multi-tool could come in handy during an emergency and the Red Cross suggests having a battery- or crank-powered radio, flashlight, extra batteries, can opener, duct tape, a whistle, sanitation and personal hygiene items, cellphone chargers, extra cash, blankets or sleeping bags.
• Documents can also be vital to have in an emergency including copies of personal documents such as medication lists and pertinent medical information, proof of address, passports or other forms of ID and copies of birth certificates and insurance policies.

Having a good, basic home emergency kit may help make dealing with severe storms and emergencies a little easier.

Car emergency kit

Whether you have simply run into trouble on the road, live where you could encounter weather hazards such as snow and ice or you are evacuating from a disaster area, you should include an emergency kit for your car.

Some basic items to consider for your vehicle should include water and food, a first-aid kit and extra supplies for medical conditions, blankets and a phone charger.

Additional items you may want to consider keeping in your vehicle are:

• Local and regional road maps
• Basic tool set
• Flashlight
• Car emergency devices (road flares and reflectors)
• Garbage bags
• Toilet paper
• Paper towels
• Gas can
• Jumper cables
• Towline

Weather can also create safety challenges that require more emergency car items or special driving skills for snow and ice. Considerations for summer driving also need to be made and may require different emergency kit items.

And always keep your tires and vehicle maintained.

Office emergency kit

Emergencies can happen anytime — including when you are at work. Although your employer may have emergency supplies on hand such as first-aid kits, tools and some sanitation items, those kits may be incomplete or not cover your specific needs. For a work kit to keep in your desk, consider the following items:

• First-aid kit with pain relievers and medicines you may need throughout the day
• Emergency blanket
• Leather-palmed work gloves
• Safety glasses/goggles
• Dust masks
• Whistle with lanyard
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Sanitary items including moist towelettes and hand sanitizer

RV emergency kit

If an RV road trip is your go-to summer vacation, remember to be prepared for emergencies. Having a basic home emergency kit with water, food, first-aid kit, tools, sanitary items, flashlight and batteries for your RV is important. You'll also want to consider including items from the car emergency kit such as local maps and jumper cables.

Boat emergency kit

Mechanical problems, weather or accidents can turn a fun-activity into an emergency with little warning when participating in activities such as boating, skiing or hiking.

When planning an emergency kit for boat safety, consider this list of suggestions from the U.S. Coast Guard:

• Radio equipment
• Charts of the local area and a magnetic compass
• Anchor and extra line
• Tool kit for repairs, including spare parts
• Paddles
• Bailer or bilge pump
• Fire extinguishers
• First-aid kit
• Food and water
• Extra clothing, such as warm clothes, a hat and foul weather gear
• Personal items (sunscreen, medicines, sunglasses)
• Binoculars

Hiking emergency kit

When skiing or hiking, consider carrying a first-aid kit, along with water and non-perishable food in case of a mishap on the trail. Try to pack extra clothing if able, since weather can be unpredictable and frostbite or hypothermia can set in quickly.

Also, be aware of any weather changes or wildfire forecast for the areas where you will be hiking.

Pet emergency kit

A disaster kit is also essential for your furry family members. Preparing a pet kit for them is important for their well-being, too. In addition to having their food, water, vaccination information and leashes, also include written care instructions.

Hurricane emergency kit

If you live in an area prone to thunderstorms, tornadoes or hurricanes, not only is an emergency kit vital, but so is a hurricane evacuation plan. Also, keep in mind that items needed for sheltering in place will be a little different than the items needed if you decide to evacuate.

For sheltering in place, the basic home emergency kit listed above will provide a starting point for items you may need.

Earthquake emergency kit

Earthquakes are a disaster that can often occur without warning. If you live in an area with an earthquake threat, consider making earthquake preparations to your home as well as keeping a basic home emergency kit (see supplies above).

Additional items Ready.gov suggests keeping in an earthquake emergency kit are:

• Whistles to signal for help
• Dust masks
• Plastic sheeting and duct tape
• Water purification tablets
• Waterproof plastic bags for waste disposal needs
• Tools such as wrenches or pliers that can be used to shut off utilities

Having an emergency kit for your home, car, office or for outdoor activities may take a little time and planning, but it will be worth it if it helps you and your family ride out a disaster in safety.

And now that you have learned about different emergency survival kits, you may want to read how to shut off your utilities in an emergency or what to do when your basement floods.