Emergency supplies

Step 11. Emergency supplies

Your house is already full of emergency items disguised as everyday things!

The blankets on your bed, the clothes in your closet, and things in the bathroom are all things you can use in emergencies. 

Ideally, you can be self-sufficient for seven days. However, don't forget that neighbours can help each other out by sharing resources, such as gas for a camping stove.

By looking after yourself and your household, you’ll also be helping emergency services focus their limited resources on the people who need the most help.

Useful supplies to have at home for an emergency:

• Water - enough water for every person in your household for 7 days.
• Food - ideally, keep your pantry as full as you can - enough food for 7 days. 
• Baby food and supplies 
• Medicine - make sure you have enough available. If you can get an extra copy of your prescription medicines then do so.
• Toiletries
• Pet food and supplies
• Emergency lighting e.g. torches with spare batteries. Cheap solar-powered lights can be really useful as emergency lighting.
• A battery-powered or wind-up radio (in case the power is out / phone networks are down)
• Plain unscented bleach for treating stored water and a way to measure it
• A spade to dig a long-drop toilet or two sturdy buckets to make an emergency bucket toilet 
• BBQ/camping stove and gas
• Blankets
• Emergency grab bag - have some essential supplies in an emergency grab bag by the door