Building Your Earthquake Emergency Kit

Water: The Most Critical Supply

Water is the single most important component of any Earthquake Emergency KitA pre-assembled collection of supplies for surviving the aftermath of an earthquake, typically including water (1 gallon/person/day for 3 days), food, first aid, flashlight, and radio. because dehydration becomes life-threatening within 24 to 72 hours. The standard guidance from FEMA and the American Red Cross calls for one gallon per person per day, but this baseline covers only drinking and minimal sanitation. Add at least 50% more if household members include infants, pregnant women, nursing mothers, the elderly, or anyone with a chronic health condition that increases fluid requirements. Strenuous post-earthquake activity such as digging through debris or carrying loads in summer heat can raise individual needs to three or four gallons per day.

Store water in food-grade HDPE containers marked with a recycling symbol 1 or 2. Never use milk jugs, which develop micro-cracks over time and harbor bacteria even after cleaning. Purpose-built emergency water containers in 5-gallon or 55-gallon sizes are optimal for longer storage periods. Keep containers in a cool, dark location away from gasoline, pesticides, and cleaning products because polyethylene is gas-permeable and water can absorb chemical vapors.

Commercial bottled water remains safe until the printed expiration date, which reflects container integrity rather than water purity. For tap water stored in sanitized containers, use a rotation schedule of six months. Treat stored water with 8 drops of unscented liquid bleach per gallon (for 6% sodium hypochlorite) if it was not commercially purified. Water purification tablets and portable filters such as those using hollow-fiber membranes are valuable secondary tools for sourcing water from pipes, pools, or natural sources after a Earthquake PreparednessThe ongoing process of planning and preparation to minimize earthquake impact, including securing furniture, creating communication plans, maintaining emergency supplies, and practicing drills. event.

Food: Non-Perishable Options for 72+ Hours

Plan for a minimum three-day supply with a target of seven days for a more resilient Earthquake Emergency KitA pre-assembled collection of supplies for surviving the aftermath of an earthquake, typically including water (1 gallon/person/day for 3 days), food, first aid, flashlight, and radio.. Choose foods that require no cooking or minimal preparation, since stoves may be unusable due to gas shutoffs or structural damage. Canned goods — vegetables, beans, tuna, chicken, and fruit — provide shelf life of two to five years and require only a manual can opener. High-calorie, nutrient-dense items such as peanut butter, nuts, dried fruit, and whole-grain crackers address both caloric and micronutrient needs.

Freeze-dried meals have 25-year shelf lives and reconstitute with water, but they require water investment and a heating source for palatability. Commercially prepared emergency food bars (2,400 or 3,600 calorie bars) are space-efficient and need no preparation, making them ideal for go-bags. Avoid foods high in sodium or that cause excessive thirst because these will increase water consumption from your limited supply.

A seven-day food plan for one adult should provide approximately 14,000 calories and balance macronutrients. Include comfort foods — coffee, chocolate, hard candy — because Earthquake PreparednessThe ongoing process of planning and preparation to minimize earthquake impact, including securing furniture, creating communication plans, maintaining emergency supplies, and practicing drills. research consistently shows that morale significantly affects cognitive performance and decision-making during multi-day emergencies. For households with infants, stock sufficient formula, baby food, and diapers, as these items disappear rapidly from store shelves after a major earthquake.

First Aid and Medications

The first aid component of your Earthquake Emergency KitA pre-assembled collection of supplies for surviving the aftermath of an earthquake, typically including water (1 gallon/person/day for 3 days), food, first aid, flashlight, and radio. must be able to address the injuries most common in earthquake scenarios: lacerations from broken glass, blunt trauma from falling objects, crush injuries, and fractures. A basic kit covers bandages and antiseptic, but a preparedness-grade kit adds hemostatic gauze (for severe bleeding), a SAM splint (for limb stabilization), and a CPR face shield. Learn how to use each item before the emergency; skills degrade without practice.

Prescription medications are the most commonly overlooked item in emergency kits. Ask your physician or pharmacist for a 30-day emergency supply and rotate it into regular use so it never expires on the shelf. Keep a written list of all prescriptions — drug name, dosage, prescribing physician, and pharmacy contact — in a waterproof bag inside the kit. Include a copy of each household member's medical history and known allergies.

Over-the-counter medications should cover pain and fever (ibuprofen, acetaminophen), gastrointestinal upset (antacids, antidiarrheal agents), allergic reactions (diphenhydramine), and wound care (antiseptic solution, antibiotic ointment). For households with diabetic members, include glucose tablets and extra insulin storage requirements — insulin requires refrigeration, so plan for a portable cooler with chemical ice packs.

Tools and Safety Equipment

A well-equipped Earthquake Emergency KitA pre-assembled collection of supplies for surviving the aftermath of an earthquake, typically including water (1 gallon/person/day for 3 days), food, first aid, flashlight, and radio. includes tools that address the most dangerous post-earthquake hazards: fire, gas leaks, structural collapse, and communication failure. An adjustable pipe wrench (or a dedicated gas shutoff tool) mounted near the main gas meter allows immediate shutoff if you smell gas or see a yellow flame. A fire extinguisher rated ABC should be wall-mounted in the kitchen and inspected annually; a second unit in the garage is advisable.

A heavy-duty flashlight or headlamp with spare batteries is essential because power outages following major earthquakes often last days. LED headlamps are preferable to handheld lights because they leave both hands free for assessing damage and moving debris. Include spare batteries in a separate waterproof bag and store them at room temperature, since cold significantly reduces battery capacity. A hand-crank or solar-powered flashlight eliminates the battery dependency.

Work gloves rated for debris handling protect hands when moving broken glass, masonry, and structural materials. Dust masks rated N95 or higher protect lungs from the concrete dust and insulation fibers that become airborne when buildings are damaged. A pry bar or Halligan tool is valuable for opening jammed doors and windows. A whistle — included in virtually every Earthquake PreparednessThe ongoing process of planning and preparation to minimize earthquake impact, including securing furniture, creating communication plans, maintaining emergency supplies, and practicing drills. recommendation — is the most energy-efficient signaling device available and should be attached to every household member's keychain or bag.

Documents and Communication Devices

A battery-powered or hand-crank NOAA weather radio is the most reliable communication device during the hours after a major earthquake, when cellular networks are congested and internet infrastructure may be partially down. NOAA All Hazards stations broadcast official alerts, evacuation orders, and shelter information 24 hours a day. Program the Specific Area Message Encoder (SAME) code for your county to receive targeted alerts rather than region-wide broadcasts.

A compact shortwave radio lets you receive news from regional and national broadcasters if local infrastructure is damaged. Document all emergency contact numbers in a physical format — laminated card, small notebook, or printed list — rather than relying exclusively on smartphone contacts that may be inaccessible due to battery depletion or cloud-service outages. Include the numbers for your local utility companies (gas, electric, water) so you can report hazards as soon as communication becomes possible.

Special Needs: Children, Seniors, Pets, Medical

An Earthquake Emergency KitA pre-assembled collection of supplies for surviving the aftermath of an earthquake, typically including water (1 gallon/person/day for 3 days), food, first aid, flashlight, and radio. built around an average adult will leave significant gaps for households with diverse needs. Infants and toddlers require formula, baby food, diapers, wipes, and a portable changing surface. School-age children benefit from comfort items — a familiar toy, a book, or a deck of cards — that reduce anxiety during the disorientation of a multi-day emergency.

Seniors may require specific dietary foods (low-sodium, soft textures), hearing aid batteries, denture adhesive, and glasses repair kits in addition to prescription medications. People using mobility aids should include spare parts such as wheelchair tire repair kits or crutch tips. Build a support network with neighbors who can assist with evacuation if needed.

Use the Emergency Kit Builder to input your household composition — ages, medical conditions, pets, and stay duration — and generate a customized supply list with specific quantities. The tool accounts for the caloric and water needs of different age groups and flags categories you may have overlooked, such as infant supplies, incontinence products, or veterinary medications.