Hurricanes, wildfires, winter storms, floods and long power outages can strike with little warning. Older adults, especially those who live alone or have health conditions, may need extra time and supplies to stay safe. Building an emergency kit now gives you peace of mind later.
Basic supplies
Keep these in a sturdy bag or bin that is easy to carry or roll:
- Water: at least one gallon per person per day, for several days.
- Food: a supply of non-perishable food that needs no cooking, such as canned goods, peanut butter, crackers and dried fruit, plus a manual can opener.
- Flashlight and extra batteries. Avoid candles.
- Battery-powered or hand-crank radio, ideally a weather radio.
- First aid kit.
- Phone charger and a backup battery pack.
- Whistle to signal for help.
- Dust masks, moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties.
- Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities.
- Local maps.
- Cash in small bills, since card machines may not work.
Extra items for older adults
- Medicines: at least a 7-day supply if possible, in their original containers, plus a list of your medicines and doses. Ask your doctor and pharmacist how to build up a supply.
- Copies of prescriptions and your medicine list.
- Medical equipment and supplies, such as glucose meters, nebulizers or oxygen, with backup batteries or a plan for power.
- Glasses, hearing aids and extra hearing aid batteries or chargers.
- Mobility aids such as a cane or walker.
- Incontinence supplies and personal care items.
- Copies of important documents in a waterproof bag: ID, Medicare and insurance cards, and a list of doctors and emergency contacts. See organizing important papers.
- Comfort items, such as a blanket, a change of clothes and sturdy shoes.
- Pet supplies, if you have a pet.
Make a plan
- Build a support network of at least two or three people, such as family, friends or neighbors, who will check on you in an emergency. Give someone a spare key.
- Know how you will get emergency alerts, through a weather radio, phone alerts or local TV and radio.
- Plan where you will go if you need to leave, such as a relative's home, and how you will get there. If you do not drive, arrange transportation in advance.
- Know how to reach your local shelter and whether it accepts pets.
- Write down important phone numbers in case your phone is lost or dead.
Sheltering at home during an outage
- Keep the refrigerator and freezer closed to keep food cold longer.
- Know which medicines need refrigeration and how long they can safely be stored without it. Ask your pharmacist.
- Use flashlights, not candles.
- Never use a grill, camp stove or generator indoors.
See staying safe and cool in hot weather and getting ready for cold weather.
Keep your kit current
Check your kit every six months: replace water and food before they expire, rotate medicines, update documents and replace batteries. Setting a reminder when the clocks change in spring and fall can help.
