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Make an emergency kit

make emergency kit

Get Prepared

Are You Ready?

A natural disaster can strike at any time, without warning. Learn how to make an emergency kit and plan, and protect yourself, your family, and your property.

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How to make an emergency kit

In the event of an emergency or disaster, roads may be closed, and emergency services stretched beyond capacity. It is important you and your family are able to be self-sustaining for at least 72 hours. 

By pulling together some basic supplies — many of which may already be in your home — you can make a family emergency kit, quickly and easily.

Tips for making your emergency kit

Your basic emergency kit should contain these items:

  • Non-perishable food items, such as canned goods, energy bars or dried foods
  • Manual can opener
  • 4L of water per person per day, preferably in small, easy-to-carry bottles
  • First aid kit
  • Flashlight (battery-powered or hand-cranked)
  • Radio (battery-powered or hand-cranked)
  • Cash, in small bills
  • Prescription medication, baby formula
  • Your emergency plan and contact information
  • Copies of important documents (e.g., insurance, passport, BC Services Card)
  • Extra keys to your home and vehicle
  • Supplies for your pet (e.g., food, water, leash, vet records)

Other emergency kits you will need

In addition to an emergency kit, you should consider making these additional kits: 

If you have to immediately leave your home after a disaster, you need a grab-and-go bag to see you through the next 12-24 hours.

You may be in your vehicle during an emergency, so make sure you have supplies to sustain you and keep you comfortable. When putting together emergency supplies, consider what you can comfortably carry, as you may have to leave your vehicle and walk to a safe location. The following items will fit in a backpack:

  • Food and water: ready-to-eat food and 1.5L of water in multiple water pouches
  • Supplies for your comfort: rain gear, blankets, hand and foot warmers, and first aid kit
  • Supplies for your safety: flashlight and batteries, whistle, cell phone charger, warning lights, and flares
  • Supplies for your vehicle: rags and paper towels, ice scraper and brush, shovel, and booster cables

When an emergency happens, you may be in your car and not able to return home, so you need to have supplies to help sustain you and keep you comfortable.

If you need to evacuate, you should take your pets with you, so make sure you’re prepared to care for them.

Take a closer look 

Use the resources listed below to make your emergency kits: