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<p><strong>By Mayo Clinic Staff</strong></p>
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<p>Emergency essentials kits can help you respond to natural disasters or other serious situations. Prepare for the unexpected by putting together a survival kit that could be useful if you needed to evacuate your home. Pack enough supplies to last three days, and keep your emergency essentials handy. <em>Make sure your family members know where to find the kit. </em>Consider keeping basic emergency essentials in your car as well.</p>
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<p><strong>A basic emergency essentials kit includes:</strong></p>
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<p>Small, waterproof flashlight or headlamp and extra batteries</p>
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<p>Waterproof matches</p>
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<p>Water, 1 gallon a person for each day</p>
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<p>Food that won't spoil, including baby food if needed</p>
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<p>Manual can opener for food</p>
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<p>Pet food and supplies, such as a leash, if needed</p>
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<p>Small notepad and waterproof writing instrument</p>
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<p>Blanket</p>
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<p>Cellphone with solar charger</p>
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<p>Battery-powered or hand-cranked radio and a weather radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both</p>
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<p>Insect repellent</p>
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<p>Whistle</p>
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<p>First-aid kit</p>
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<p>Dust mask</p>
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<p>Plastic sheeting and duct tape for improvised shelter</p>
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<p>Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities</p>
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<p>Medicine, a week's supply</p>
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<p>Extra medical supplies or equipment, as needed, including infant supplies and infant food</p>
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<p>Soap, toothbrush, feminine supplies and other personal care items</p>
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<p>Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation</p>
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<p>Emergency health information for you and your family</p>
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<p>Phone numbers for professional emergency contacts, such as your family doctor and pediatrician</p>
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<p>Phone numbers for a personal emergency contact, such as a friend or a family member you've asked to serve in this role</p>
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<p>Copy of insurance cards</p>
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<p>Cash or traveler's checks and change</p>
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<p>Paper maps of the area (as your phone might not be charged!)</p>
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<p>An extra set of car keys and house keys</p>
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<p><a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/emergency-essentials/basics/art-20134335?mc_id=us&amp;utm_source=enewsletter&amp;utm_medium=en&amp;utm_content=general&amp;utm_campaign=mayoclinic&amp;geo=national&amp;placementsite=enterprise&amp;invsrc=patloy&amp;cauid=119484">https://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/emergency-essentials/basics/art-20134335?mc_id=us&amp;utm_source=enewsletter&amp;utm_medium=en&amp;utm_content=general&amp;utm_campaign=mayoclinic&amp;geo=national&amp;placementsite=enterprise&amp;invsrc=patloy&amp;cauid=119484</a><br><br><em>Exclusive content from CARE magazine</em></p>
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