National Preparedness Month: What to Include in an Emergency Disaster Kit

September is National Preparedness Month, making it a good time to check whether your household has what it needs if severe weather, a power outage, flooding, or another emergency disrupts normal routines.

That preparation is especially relevant in Oklahoma. Severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, flooding, and winter weather can all lead to power outages, road closures, evacuations, or periods when basic services are unavailable. The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management recommends preparing supplies before severe weather is already on the way.

A well-stocked emergency disaster kit does not need to be complicated. FEMA recommends keeping enough basic supplies to manage on your own for at least several days, while the American Red Cross recommends a three-day supply for evacuation and a larger supply at home when possible.

Here is what to include when building or updating your household emergency kit.

National Preparedness Month Kit

Water and Non-Perishable Food

Start with one gallon of water per person per day for drinking and sanitation. FEMA recommends storing at least three days’ worth, while the Red Cross suggests keeping a larger supply at home when space allows.

Food should be non-perishable and easy to prepare if electricity or cooking equipment is unavailable. Canned foods, nut butters, energy bars, dried fruit, crackers, nuts, and similar foods can work well. If canned food is part of the kit, include a manual can opener.

Check expiration dates regularly and replace older food and water before they are needed.

Flashlights, Radios, and Backup Power

A power outage can make even basic communication difficult. Keep a flashlight or battery-powered lantern with extra batteries in your emergency preparedness kit.

A battery-powered or hand-crank radio is also useful. In Oklahoma, emergency officials recommend having multiple ways to receive severe-weather alerts, including a NOAA Weather Radio, Wireless Emergency Alerts, local news, and community warning systems.

Charging cables and a fully charged portable power bank can help keep phones and other essential electronics running. Avoid relying entirely on your phone since both electricity and mobile service can be disrupted.

First Aid Supplies and Medications

Your kit should contain basic first aid supplies such as bandages, antiseptic products, medical tape, gloves, and other everyday necessities.

Include prescription medications and any medical supplies household members may need. People who wear glasses or contact lenses may also want to keep spare glasses or necessary contact lens supplies with their emergency items.

Review medications regularly so expired products can be replaced.

Hygiene and Sanitation Supplies

FEMA recommends including moist towelettes, garbage bags, and plastic ties for personal sanitation. Soap, hand sanitizer, toilet paper, feminine hygiene products, and other personal care supplies can be added according to your household’s needs.

Heavy-duty garbage bags are particularly useful if normal trash collection, plumbing, or sanitation services are temporarily unavailable.

Store hygiene supplies in sealed bags or containers to protect them from moisture.

Tools and Practical Emergency Gear

Useful emergency tools include a wrench or pliers for shutting off utilities when instructed, along with a whistle for signaling for help. Printed local maps are also useful if navigation apps or cellular service become unavailable.

Oklahoma emergency officials recommend keeping sturdy shoes and weather-appropriate clothing available as well. After severe storms, broken glass, branches, and other debris can make ordinary footwear unsafe.

Copies of Important Documents and Emergency Cash

Keep copies of identification, insurance information, medical details, emergency contacts, and other important records in a waterproof container or sealed bag.

It is also useful to keep some emergency cash available. ATMs, card terminals, and payment networks may not function normally during a widespread power or communications outage.

Include a printed emergency contact list rather than storing every important number only on your phone.

Remember Children, Pets, and Individual Needs

Your emergency kit should reflect the people and animals in your household. Families with babies may need formula, bottles, diapers, and baby food. Pet owners should account for food, water, medication, leashes, carriers, bowls, and identification information.

Older adults, people with disabilities, and anyone who depends on medical equipment or follows a restricted diet may require additional supplies.

Oklahoma’s changing seasons should also be considered. Blankets, sunscreen, rain gear, protective clothing, or cold-weather items may need to be added depending on the time of year.

Keep a Home Kit and a Go Kit

The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management recommends keeping a larger supply kit at home and preparing a smaller go kit that can be carried easily if you need to leave quickly.

Food for a go kit should be compact, easy to eat, and require little or no preparation. Along with your regular emergency food supply, individually packaged snacks can be useful for quick energy while traveling or waiting out an emergency.

For a little Oklahoma flavor, consider adding a Nut n’ Pip Vegan Paleo Bar made with nuts, seeds, and simple ingredients, Cinnamon Glazed Pecans for an easy grab-and-go snack, or Salty Dog & Pepper Cashews from an Oklahoma maker. Always check the package’s best-by date, storage instructions, and allergen information before adding any snack to a long-term emergency kit.

Basic emergency supplies can also be kept in your vehicle, especially if you drive regularly or travel during Oklahoma’s severe-weather seasons.

National Preparedness Month is a useful reminder, but emergency planning should continue throughout the year. Review your supplies periodically, replace expired food and medications, recharge power banks, and update documents when household needs change.

The goal is to have everything ready before a warning, outage, or evacuation makes those supplies necessary.