Emergency kit checklist
Here’s an easy checklist of everything you need to prep. We do live on an island in Victoria. We will be cut off from supplies and the mainland by an earthquake, tsunami or storm. Once you have a kit ready you’ll be fine.
This should be as cheap as possible. Collect items you already have, and get the rest from the Dollar Store, Walmart, Amazon or other stores to keep the cost low.
Keep your emergency kit in a closet, the garage, the pantry, etc...
Plastic Container
To store most of your emergency kit items. Preferably one that is watertight/sealable so water can’t get in during a disaster.
Photo credit: walmart.ca
Backpack
No need to buy an expensive pack. Thrift stores often have these for $5-$10.
Water
Either in plastic 2-litre bottles, single bottles of water, or waterbricks (pictured). Waterbricks are stackable, and great for the small apartments most of us live in.
Photo credit: waterbrick.com
Food
Canned, freeze-dried or dehydrated. Enough to feed each adult & child for 2 weeks, if at all possible. Use and replace as part of your normal life.
Photo credit: mec.ca
First Aid Kit
Sleeping Bag
Documents in a waterproof bag
Make copies of your insurance, banking, passport, id and credit/debit cards.
Photo credit: amazon.ca
Water Purification Tablets
Add to water so it’s safe to drink
Garbage Bags + Plastic Ties
To use as a toilet if the city sewage system fails.
Photo credit: amazon.ca
Cell Phone Charger
Get one that takes single-use batteries, is solar powered or hand crank powered.
Baby Wipes or Wet Wipes
For personal hygiene
Photo credit: amazon.ca
Tampons and Pads
Mask
Mylar Emergency Blanket
Flashlight
Batteries
For your flashlight, portable radio, etc..
Chocolate / Comfort Snacks
Wrench
To shut off your water main in an emergency. This prevents flooding your house if pipes burst.
Photo credit: amazon.ca
Duct Tape
Can Opener
Scissors
Notebook
The dollar stores have them for $1
Permanent Pen
Radio (battery powered or solar powered)
Cell service has gone down before during our natural disasters. This is the best way to get emergency information - AM or FM radio.
Photo credit: amazon.ca
Whistle
Photo credit: mec.ca
Lightsticks / Glowsticks
Photo credit: amazon.ca
Cash
In small bills. During an emergency, many stores will not accept $20 bills. ATMs will go down if the power is out.
Extra Keys
For your house and car(s), if possible
Where can I find…
A fax machine to use? Firewood? A store that repairs cell phone screens?