San Francisco Chronicle - (Sunday)
Have emergency kits ready
Packaged kits ( below) are available from retailers. If you assemble your own, here’s the minimum it should contain, according to the Red Cross. For the car, much of the gear is best placed tightly into a backpack to save space. At home, most items can be stored in a basic outdoor garbage can.
FOR THE CAR
Water: A three- day supply amounting to 1 gallon per person per day. Food: A three- day supply, about 1,000 calories — something lightweight like energy bars Water purification tablets, or a water filter in case you go beyond three days and need to find alternate sources of water.
Portable radio Flashlight and/ or light stick Charger for cell phones and devices, powered by batteries, along with a cell phone charger cord for the car Batteries Blankets: Emergency survival models are compact and light Tube tent Sanitation and personal hygiene supplies, including toilet paper Leatherman- style multitool or pocketknife with can opener, screwdriver heads and knife blade Poncho or other rain gear Candles Waterproof matches 50 feet of rope ( 3/ 16 or bigger) Duct tape Work gloves First- aid kit Sewing kit Whistle Smoke/ dust mask Gas meter valve shut- off wrench Instant hand warmers
FOR THE HOME
All the previous items, plus: Medications, at least a seven- day supply Cash: Small bills and coins Tools: Foldable shovel, hatchet, screwdriver, pliers, pocketknife and can opener Extra clothes Battery- powered lamp Plastic sheeting ( for emergency shelter) Paper or plastic plates, bowls and cutlery Small cooking pot Soap and bath towels Copies of personal documents Emergency contact list Maps of the area
OTHER ITEMS TO CONSIDER
Additional medical supplies ( hearing aids, glasses, contacts, syringes, etc.) Baby supplies Games and toys ( for children) Pet supplies Two- way radios Extra car and house keys Scissors Sleeping bags