Build/Get a Kit
You can prepare for potential hazards by having a plan in place to deal with the anticipated impacts of an event. Having your plan and emergency kit prepared in advance is the best way to support your family and pets. You may need to Shelter in Place or “hunker down” in your home for at least 72 hours (3 days) without needing to leave for supplies. Plan to be without power in many hazards that could occur.
In an emergency, you will need some basic supplies. You may need to get by without power or tap water. Be prepared to be self-sufficient for at least 72 hours.
You may have some of the items already, such as food (check out our Disaster Dining Guide), water, and a battery-operated or crank flashlight. The key is to make sure they are organized and easy to find. Would you be able to find your flashlight in the dark?
Make sure your kit is easy to carry and everyone in the household knows where it is. Keep it in a backpack, duffle bag or suitcase with wheels, in an easy-to-reach, accessible place, such as your front hall closet. If you have many people in your household, your emergency kit could get heavy. It is a good idea to separate some of these supplies into backpacks. That way, your kit will be more portable, and each person can personalize his or her own grab-and-go emergency kit.
Tips to create your emergency kits
- Start with what you have at home first – Many recommended items are common household items that you may have already.
- Keep hotel and department store hygiene product samples – these are great to add to your car and workplace kits.
- For food, purchase non-perishable items that you know your family will eat. That way when the items are nearing expiration, you can ensure they will be consumed and not wasted.
- One Size Does Not Fit All – Each family is unique, so is their preparedness. Use a recent event such as power outage events to plan what you need to add to your kit.
- Turn Routine Tasks into Preparedness Habits – Many tasks occur on a regular cycle like replacing batteries in smoke alarms, birthdays, yard maintenance and large grocery shops. To ensure kit contents stay current, check your kit at the same time each year.
- Keep Fuel and Supplies Stocked – always keep your gas tank half full.
- Centralize Items for Kit – Before you make purchases, know-how and where you will store your kit for easy access. This could be a box, old suitcase or duffle bag with wheels, or a bin, whatever fits your family's needs.
- Storing Food – On grocery shops, purchase an extra can of an item that is part of your family’s regular meal routine. When those items are on sale, grab a few extra and build toward a minimum of seven days of preparedness. Consider bulk purchasing with extended family or friends to reduce costs. As with all kit contents, rotate items before they expire.
- Items that Rely on Other Items – Ensure items that rely on other items for functionality in your kit, are paired up. Canned food requires a manual can opener; flashlight requires batteries, and paper requires a pen.
- Document Storage – Ensure you can access documents you need in an emergency by scanning them onto a password-protected memory stick or post to the cloud. Add a copy of your wallet contents so if it is lost, you know exactly what you need to replace. Save family photos and a photo inventory of your home contents including valuables. One stick can store a lot of information. Update every time you renew your home insurance.
- Gift Giving – Pick one thing that is important for a loved one to have in a kit to get them started. Alternatively, create your own wish list and share it with family and friends to build your own kit. Preparedness items can be as affordable as an empty tote or as extravagant as a generator.
- Start a wish list of emergency kit supplies – Add one item to your Amazon cart with each purchase or share it with friends/family.
- Footwear – When getting rid of old shoes, put them under your bed. If an emergency happens while you are sleeping, they can offer protection if walking on fallen debris and broken glass.
- When considering the items you need to add to your kit,
pdf
you can purchase different items each week or month
(171 KB)
. It is perfectly fine to build a kit slowly, below is an example to build a kit each month.
Source: City of Windsor
Basic emergency kit checklist
- Water – at least two litres of water per person per day; include small bottles that can be carried easily in case of an evacuation order
- Food that won't spoil, such as canned food, Ready-to-eat meals, energy bars and dried foods, dry cereal or granola, peanut butter, dried fruit and nuts, crackers, canned juices, non-perishable pasteurized milk (check expiration dates on an annual basis.)
- Food for infants
- Manual can-opener
- Crank, wind-up or battery-powered flashlight (and extra batteries). Replace batteries once a year.
- Crank, wind-up or battery-powered radio (and extra batteries) or Weatheradio
- Prescription medication
- First aid kit
- Extra keys to your car and house
- Cash in smaller bills and change as automated bank machines and their networks may not work during an emergency. You may have difficulty using debit or credit cards.
- Important family documents such as identification, insurance and bank records
- A copy of your emergency plan and contact information
- Baby supplies including diapers and infant formula
- Equipment for people with special needs
- Pet supplies and food
Recommended additional items
- Two additional litres of water per person per day for cooking and cleaning
- Candles and matches or lighter (place candles in deep, sturdy containers and do not burn unattended)
- Change of clothing and footwear for each household member
- Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each household member
- Toiletries and personal hygiene items
- Hand sanitizer, toilet paper and garbage bags
- Utensils, plates, and cups
- Toilet paper
- Water purifying tablets or Household chlorine bleach
- Basic tools (hammer, pliers, wrench, screwdrivers, work gloves, dust mask, pocketknife)
- Small fuel-operated stove and fuel
- Whistle (in case you need to attract attention)
- Duct tape (to tape up windows, doors, air vents, etc.)
- Prepaid phone card, mobile phone charger
- Pet food and supplies
- Infant formula, baby food and supplies
- Activities for children like books, puzzles or toys
- Prescription medications, medical equipment
If you think your water is contaminated, check with your municipality, province, or local authorities for details. When in doubt, do not drink water you suspect may be contaminated.
Pre-packaged kits
The Canadian Red Cross and the Salvation Army have a variety of kits that are available for purchase. Various other kits and supplies are also available for sale from other commercial entities.
Emergency vehicle kit
Vehicle Emergency Kit
- Food that won't spoil, such as canned food, Ready-to-eat meals, energy bars and dried foods, dry cereal or granola, peanut butter, dried fruit and nuts, crackers, canned juices, non-perishable pasteurized milk (check expiration dates on an annual basis.)
- Water (plastic bottles won't break if frozen - change every six months)
- Blanket
- Extra clothing and shoes
- First aid kit with seatbelt cutter
- Small shovel, scraper and snowbrush
- Candle in a deep can and matches
- Flashlight (crank, wind-up or battery-powered). Replace batteries once a year.
- Radio (crank, wind-up or battery-powered). Replace batteries once a year.
- Whistle to attract attention
- Warning light or road flares
- A copy of your emergency plan and contact information
Recommended additional items to keep in your vehicle
- Sand, salt or cat litter (non-clumping)
- Antifreeze, windshield washer fluid
- Tow rope
- Booster/jumper cables
- Fire extinguisher
- Road maps
- Manual can-opener if needed for the food selected
- Crank, wind-up or battery-powered flashlight (and extra batteries)
- Crank, wind-up or battery-powered radio (and extra batteries)
- Extra keys to your car and house
- Some cash in smaller bills and coins
- If applicable, other items such as prescription medication, infant formula, equipment for people with disabilities, or food, water and medication for your pets or service animal (personalize according to your needs).
Baby Supply List
- Baby food
- Formula
- Baby medication
- Diapers
- Baby wipes
- Baby powder
- Diaper rash ointment
- Baby-sized nail clippers
- Baby body wash
- Baby oil/lotion
- Baby sunscreen
- Favourite toys, books
Audit your home
A hazard audit of your home can not only increase your safety but can also help you respond more effectively to an emergency or disaster.
- Review fire safety features such as smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors, and how to monitor them.
- Make sure that no flammable materials are kept near electrical equipment or your furnace.
- Check for frayed electrical cords or overloaded circuits.
- Identify all potential exits.
- Learn how to turn off your water and electricity safely. Leave simple instructions at each switch along with any tools as a reminder.
- Limit the use of candles and other flammable items.
- Locate the safe areas in your home (interior bathrooms, closets, interior stairwells, lowest floor level) in case of a tornado.
- Maintain a supply of food and emergency items, ensure your family stays warm
- A major emergency could isolate you for several days. Gas or electricity for cooking, heating and refrigeration, or power may not be available. Be prepared with a stock of items for emergency use and warmth.
- All-purpose fire extinguisher (rated A-B-C).
- An alternative heat source and an adequate supply of fuel. Follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully. Make sure there is adequate ventilation to prevent the build-up of hazardous fumes. Cover windows to prevent heat from escaping and dress in layers.
- Remember it is easy to forget that a stove burner, iron, or space heater were running before the power went out and can all be hazards if left unattended when the power returns.
- A fully stocked freezer will keep food frozen for 2 days after losing power. If your freezer isn’t full, fill containers with water and freeze them, taking up the empty freezer space and ensuring your foods stay frozen during an outage.
