Put these essential items in your kit:

• Food, at least a three-day supply of food that does not need electricity for storage or for preparation
• Manual can opener for food (if kit contains canned food)
• Water, at least three gallons per person for drinking and sanitation
• Battery-powered/hand-crank radio with weather band and extra batteries
• Written family emergency plan

Once you have the essentials you should add these items to your kit:

• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Whistle to signal for help
• Prescription medications and eyewear
• Dust mask, to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter where you are
• Sanitation supplies: moist towelettes, toilet paper, soap and plastic garbage bags

Additional items to consider adding to an emergency supply kit:

• Items for infants and toddlers
• Items for pets
• Local maps
• Copies of important family documents, such as insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container
• Cash in small denominations or traveler's checks and change
• Emergency reference material such as a first aid book
• Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person (consider additional bedding if you live in a cold-weather climate)
• Complete change of clothing including a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, socks and sturdy shoes (consider additional layers if you live in a cold-weather climate)
• Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper (when diluted in water, bleach can be used to kill germs)
• Fire Extinguisher
• Matches in a waterproof container
• Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
• Paper cups, plates and plastic knives, forks and spoons, paper towels
• Paper and pencil
• Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children