Here's what to put in your emergency preparedness kit in case of California wildfire, earthquake
California officials recommend keeping an emergency supply kit ready in case of a wildfire, earthquake or another disaster.
Cal Fire recommends that you store the kit of essentials in a backpack and also have a three-day supply of food and water ready to go in a tub or chest on wheels. Don't forget baby formula if you need it, and food and water for your pet.
In case of an evacuation at night, it's also good to have a pair of shoes and flashlight near your bed.
Cal Fire Chief Daniel Berlant said along with the essentials, it's important not to forget important documents and other personal items, especially if you have to evacuate from your home.
"Even in my own house, all my important documents are in one location," he said during a Facebook Live chat with KCRA 3. "A go-bag doesn't necessarily just mean things that you might need like clothes or phone chargers. But they're the valuable items. The memorabilia. The photographs that are irreplaceable. Birth certificates, legal documents, all of that really should be in one location in your home."
The Federal Emergency Management Agency recommends that you keep canned food needed for your kit in a cool, dry place and store boxed food in tightly closed containers. Consider updating your kit each year.
You should also consider keeping versions of your emergency supply kit in different locations like home, workplace and car since you’ll never know when an emergency will happen.
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For an at-work kit that would keep you prepared in case you needed to shelter in place for 24 hours, FEMA says to consider food, water, medicine and comfortable walking shoes stored in a "grab and go" case.
Here's a full breakdown of what to consider overall for your emergency supply or evacuation kits, according to Cal Fire, FEMA and the California Department of Public Health.
What to put in your emergency supply kit
- Face masks or coverings; Dust mask
- Three-day supply of food and three gallons of water per person; Infant formula/diapers/bottles if needed
- Map marked with at least two evacuation routes
- Prescriptions or special medications; non-prescription medication like pain relievers
- Change of clothing
- Extra eyeglasses or contact lenses
- Personal hygiene items
- An extra set of car keys, credit cards, cash or traveler's checks
- First aid kit
- Battery-powered radio and extra batteries
- Sanitation supplies
- Copies of important documents in waterproof containers (birth certificates, passports, etc.)
- Pet food and water
- Extra cell phone battery or chargers
- Whistle
- Plastic sheeting and duct tape
- Moist towelettes, garbage bags
- Non-sparking wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
- Can opener for canned food
- Cash and change
- Paper and pencil
Here are other items you could consider bringing:
- Valuables
- Family photos and other memorabilia
- Personal computers or hard drive
- Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person
- Fire extinguisher
- Matches in a waterproof container
- Books, games, puzzles or other things for your children
- Mess kits or paper cups, plates and towels
- Tent
- Compass
- Rain gear
- Signal flare
- Scissors
- Tweezers
What type of food should I put in my emergency kit? What do I need for my first aid kit?
The California Department of Public Health recommends these items.
- At least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
- Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits and vegetables
- Protein or fruit bars
- Dry cereal or granola
- Peanut butter
- Dried fruit
- Nuts
- Crackers
- Canned juices
- Non-perishable pasteurized milk
- High-energy foods
- Comfort/stress foods
Here are items for your first-aid kit
- Two pairs of sterile gloves
- Sterile dressings to stop bleeding
- Soap and antibiotic towelettes to disinfect
- Antibiotic ointment to prevent infection
- Burn ointment to prevent infection
- Adhesive bandages in a variety of sizes
- Eyewash solution to flush the eyes
- Thermometer
- Prescription medications you take every day (check expiration dates)
- Prescribed medical supplies such as glucose and blood pressure monitoring equipment and supplies
- Medicine dropper
- Non-prescription drugs (aspirin or non-aspirin pain reliever, anti-diarrhea medication)