what goes into an emergency kit?

[alison]

I have been wanting to make one for our apartment, but have always put it off. The ordeal that the family went through in Oregon has got me thinking again...

Do you have one at home? One in the car?
What do you have in it?

I have some extra food and water in the car, probably not enough water. I started an at-home kit after Mt. St. Helens was rumbling but didn't finish it. Probably should do that.

It varies by where you are and which natural disaster your area is prone to. In a cold zone like where that family was lost, you'd usually want extra blankets, candles, matches, water, nutri-grain bars (or the like) + a basic emergency kit (medical kit). We have a pre-packaged emergency kit in our car - it's got one of those 'spacey' heat blankets, basic medical stuff, a flare, etc. In Cleveland I carried more like what I'd listed above b/c the snow could be much more severe, but I still went out in it. Here if it's crappy I basically stay in b/c no one knows how to drive in it.

[alison]

You're right, Jesher. It depends on where you are. In Washington, my parents always had extra water, candles, flashlights.

What would I gather for Chicago...?

PS I still have duct tape from a couple of years ago.

Chicago would be similar to Cleveland, although there may be some additional items for an urban area. Snowstorms are the biggie there - and power outages.

[Stella]

In my car, I have a prepackaged thing from the dealer that slips into the side in the back. I have no idea what is in it. I also have a fleece blanket but I think that is about it. Not too much to worry about here in VA though, except what loonies are driving like maniacs in a half inch of snowdust.

[DCJenn]

Here the biggest concern would be the heat in the summer. Obviously, if your car breaks down in the boonies and it's 100+ degrees you'll need water, sunscreen, shade, etc. It's also really dry here (as our now years long drought continues) so flares can be risky- don't need to start the Fire of the Century. I usually travel with water in the summer. I carry sunscreen and tampons all the time. (never, EVER want to be without either in an emergency) My ex-husband the EMT used to recommend sanitary pads in case of a big bleeding emergency. (they stick and are absorbent)

Jenn

ETA: of course I don't go into the boonies. I barely even make it to the 'burbs. Heck, there's mountain lions in the outer burbs! Keep me downtown with my rats and squirrels where I walk everywhere.

[Vishenka69]

I don't really have an emergency kit of any sorts (have a small one for the car at work, but it hasn't made it to the car yet). The one emergency we had was the Blackout of '03. Luckily, I'm a candle nut and we had a couple in each room. We also have a flashlight and batteries. And of course cell phones. There's always lots of crap in our trunk (extra clothing, bags of chips, something to drink, random papers, etc.) and we also don't drive to the boonies and stick to the closest 'burbs.

[alison]

When I was a kid in Seattle, we often "drove out." Families have their favorite spots and you can often go an entire day without seeing another soul. The fewer the people, the more picturesque... You pack up what you and the dog need for the day and off you go! It can easily happen in the PNW.

I don't know what I'd put into our car for Chicago. The car sees less than 2000 miles/year!

I should definitely get some more flashlights, candles, non perishables, and blankets for home. We live in a dense neighborhood in Chicago. If we were to lose power, we'd get it back soonafter.

[alison]

Ah yes... chocolate.

Preferably coating some candied ginger.

I have a first aid kit with a space blanket in it. And of course we have a few tubes of sunscreen in the glove box (that's a good one, though!)!). I should add another blanket and a few more bottles of water and make sure my flashlight works. Oh, and some jumper cables.

Some other things to add for winter -- kitty litter, a small shovel, ice-scraper.

Here's a list for a home emergency kit:
http://www.ready.gov/america/getakit/index.html

[alison]

I'm sure I could ration the ginger out. Sure...
The chocolate would be a problem, because I'm sure I'd eat through my emergency kit and in an actual emergency, I'd have...nothing left.

I mean, let's be honest: how many of you have eaten through your emergency perishable?!

What's the kitty litter for?

If you get stuck in the snow, you can use the kitty litter like sand.

[alison]

Oh! I was thinking something else, nevermind!!!

[migirl]

I didn't read all of the responses, but you'd probably want candles, matches/lighter, flashlight, batteries, maybe a battery-powered radio, canned foods, extra medication and/or copies of prescriptions for medications you might be taking, bottled water, blankets, first aid supplies... If I think of anything else I'll add it later.

ETA: I also keep $500 cash in a lockbox that is earmarked for emergencies, in case there's another blackout or something (so can't use ATM machines, credit cards, etc) and need to buy something.