The Complete List. In addition to the absolute necessities, there are other important items. Some of them may be needed to save lives. At the least, they will be helpful to you. Here is a list of all major items--both essential and desirable.
WATER. This is even more important than food. Enough water should be available to give each person at least one quart per day for 14 days. Store it in plastic containers, or in bottles or cans. All should have tight stoppers. Part of your water supply might be "trapped" water in the pipes of your home plumbing system, and part of it might be in the form of bottled or canned beverages, fruit or vegetable juices, or milk. A water-purifying agent (either water-purifying tablets, or 2 percent tincture of iodine, or a liquid chlorine household bleach) should also be stored, in case you need to purify any cloudy or "suspicious" water that may contain bacteria.
FOOD. Enough food should be kept on hand to feed all shelter occupants for 14 days, including special foods needed by infants, elderly persons, and those on limited diets. Most people in shelter can get along on about half as much food as usual. If possible store canned or sealed-package foods, preferably those not requiring refrigeration or cooking. These should be replaced periodically. Here is a table showing the suggested replacement periods, in months, for some of the types of food suitable to store for emergency use.[3]
| Milk: | Months |
| Evaporated | 6 |
| Nonfat dry or whole dry milk, | |
| inmetal container | 6 |
| Canned meat, poultry, fish: | |
| Meat, poultry | 18 |
| Fish | 12 |
| Mixtures of meats, vegetables, | |
| cereal products | 18 |
| Condensed meat-and-vegetable | |
| soups | 8 |
| Fruits and vegetables: | |
| Berries and sour cherries, | |
| canned | 6 |
| Citrus fruit juices, canned | 6 |
| Other fruits and fruit juices,canned | 18 |
| Dried fruit, in metal container | 6 |
| Tomatoes, sauerkraut, canned | 6 |
| Other vegetables, canned | |
| (including dry beans anddry peas) | 18 |
| Cereals and baked goods: | |
| Ready-to-eat cereals: | |
| In metal container | 12 |
| In original paper package | 1 |
| Uncooked cereal (quick-cookingor instant): | |
| In metal container | 24 |
| In original paper package | 12 |
| Hydrogenated (or antioxidant-treated) | |
| fats, vegetable oil | 12 |
| Sugars, sweets, nuts: | |
| Sugar | will keep indefinitely |
| Hard candy, gum | 18 |
| Nuts, canned | 12 |
| Instant puddings | 12 |
| Miscellaneous: | |
| Coffee, tea, cocoa (instant) | 18 |
| Dry cream product (instant) | 12 |
| Bouillon products | 12 |
| Flavored beverage powders | 24 |
| Salt | will keep indefinitely |
| Flavoring extracts (e.g., pepper) | 24 |
| Soda, baking powder | 12 |
SANITATION SUPPLIES. Since you may not be able to use your regular bathroom during a period of emergency, you should keep on hand these sanitation supplies: A metal container with a tight-fitting lid, to use as an emergency toilet; one or two large garbage cans with covers (for human wastes and garbage); plastic bags to line the toilet container; disinfectant; toilet paper; soap; wash cloths and towels; a pail or basin; and sanitary napkins.
MEDICINES AND FIRST AID SUPPLIES. This should include any medicines being regularly taken, or likely to be needed, by family members. First aid supplies should include all those found in a good first aid kit (bandages, antiseptics, etc.), plus all the items normally kept in a well-stocked home medicine chest (aspirin, thermometer, baking soda, petroleum jelly, etc.). A good first aid handbook is also recommended.
INFANT SUPPLIES. Families with babies should keep on hand a two-week stock of infant supplies such as canned milk or baby formula, disposable diapers, bottles and nipples, rubber sheeting, blankets and baby clothing. Because water for washing might be limited, baby clothing and bedding should be stored in larger-than-normal quantities.
COOKING AND EATING UTENSILS. Emergency supplies should include pots, pans, knives, forks, spoons, plates, cups, napkins, paper towels, measuring cup, bottle opener, can opener, and pocket knife. If possible, disposable items should be stored. A heat source also might be helpful, such as an electric hot plate (for use if power is available), or a camp stove or canned-heat stove (in case power is shut off). However, if a stove is used indoors, adequate ventilation is needed.
CLOTHING. Several changes of clean clothing--especially undergarments and socks or stockings--should be ready for shelter use, in case water for washing should be scarce.