What’s in your emergency kit?

Cold enough for you? Here in Dallas, we’re having 30-year record snows and lots of us are stuck inside. So it got me thinking about emergency preparedness kits–I might be using the candles in my kit tonight. Here’s what I’ve got in the guest bedroom in case of an emergency. What’s in yours?

* Water filter: You need enough water on hand for one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days. I figured this would be easier.
* MREs: I’ve got a month’s supply of non-perishable food
* Radio: Mine is a hand crank/NOAA weather radio with tone alert
* Flashlight. Forgot the batteries. Woops.
* Battery lantern
* Wrench and pliers: to turn off utilities
* Personal sanitation items: washrags, moist towelettes, garbage bags, and plastic ties
* Candles and lighters: to start and keep a fire going. And for mood lighting during an emergency.
* Firewood
* Extra food for my dog: she can’t have my MREs.
* Sleeping bag and warm blankets

Turns out I forgot a few things. Glad I looked into this.

* Dust mask
* Plastic sheeting and duct tape
* A few gallons of water to augment the water filters
* Whistle to signal for help
* Local maps
* Extra batteries for the radio, flashlight, and lantern
* First-aid kit
* Copies of my important papers, like insurance, ID, and bank account records, sealed in a plastic baggie
* Cash or traveler’s checks and change
* Fire extinguisher
* Matches in a plastic baggie

Check out Ready America for a full list of recommendations and let me know how your kit measures up. I’d like to know.