Chapter 11. Preparing an Emergency Stay-at-Home Kit
An emergency stay-at-home kit provides supplies for periods when household members can remain at home but normal services are interrupted. An earthquake, severe storm, wildfire smoke, extended power outage, water-system problem, public-health emergency, or other incident could temporarily limit access to electricity, safe drinking water, stores, pharmacies, transportation, and communication networks.
Unlike a lightweight evacuation go-bag, a stay-at-home emergency kit does not need to be carried quickly. It can contain larger quantities of water, food, sanitation supplies, lighting equipment, bedding, household tools, and other necessities. Both types of kits are important: a go-bag supports a rapid departure, while a stay-at-home kit helps a household remain reasonably self-sufficient when staying home is safe and permitted.
Residents of Pleasanton, Dublin, Livermore, San Ramon, Danville, Sunol, and surrounding Tri-Valley communities should prepare for several days without normal services. Build the kit gradually and adapt it to the household’s size, health needs, pets, available space, and budget.
Store an Emergency Water Supply
Water should be one of the first priorities. The CDC recommends storing at least one gallon of water per person per day for three days and, when possible, working toward a two-week supply. Additional water may be necessary for hot weather, pregnancy, illness, pets, or medical needs. Stored water may be needed for drinking, preparing food, brushing teeth, and limited hygiene. Review the CDC’s emergency water-storage guidance.
Use unopened commercially bottled water or appropriate food-grade storage containers. Keep water away from direct sunlight, gasoline, pesticides, and other chemicals. Check containers periodically for leaks or damage and follow recommended replacement schedules.
Do not assume tap water remains safe after an emergency. If authorities issue a boil-water, do-not-drink, or do-not-use notice, follow the complete current instructions. Different advisories require different actions. The CDC advises using bottled, boiled, or properly treated water when normal water supplies may be unsafe. Learn how to make water safer during an emergency.
Choose Practical Emergency Food
Store nonperishable food that members of the household already eat and can prepare with little or no water, cooking, or refrigeration. Useful choices may include:
- Canned vegetables, beans, fruit, meat, or fish
- Shelf-stable meals and food pouches
- Crackers, cereals, nutrition bars, and dried fruit
- Nut or seed products when allergies permit
- Shelf-stable milk or suitable alternatives
- Infant formula and baby food
- Food appropriate for medical, cultural, or religious needs
- Pet or service-animal food
Include a manual can opener and basic eating utensils. Avoid creating a kit that depends entirely on an electric stove, microwave, or refrigerator. Never use an outdoor grill, camp stove, generator, or charcoal-burning appliance inside a home, garage, or other enclosed space because dangerous carbon monoxide can accumulate.
Review food at least twice a year. Rotate items into normal household use before they expire and replace them with fresh supplies.
Prepare for Sanitation Interruptions
Damage to water and sewer systems can make ordinary hygiene and waste disposal difficult. Store toilet paper, soap, hand sanitizer, disinfecting products, disposable gloves, paper towels, menstrual supplies, diapers, wipes, incontinence products, heavy-duty trash bags, and sealable plastic bags.
Households may also consider a sturdy bucket with a tightly fitting lid and appropriate liners as part of a backup sanitation plan. Keep waste away from food and stored water. Local authorities may issue specific instructions about toilet use, sewage problems, garbage collection, and waste disposal after an emergency. Follow those instructions rather than improvising when official guidance is available.
Provide Safe Lighting and Backup Power
Keep flashlights or battery-powered lanterns in several accessible locations. Headlamps can be particularly useful because they leave both hands free. Store compatible batteries separately and inspect them periodically for leakage or corrosion.
Avoid candles when possible. Open flames can create a fire hazard, especially after an earthquake or when a gas leak may be present.
Maintain charged portable power banks, telephone cables, wall adapters, and vehicle chargers. Households that use generators should follow the manufacturer’s directions and local safety requirements. A generator must never be operated inside a home, garage, basement, or near doors, windows, or vents.
Maintain Communication Options
A battery-powered or hand-crank radio can provide official information when electricity, internet access, or cellular service is disrupted. Keep printed copies of:
- Emergency telephone numbers
- Household contacts
- Evacuation zones
- Medical information
- Utility emergency numbers
- Insurance details
- Local official information sources
Mobile phones should remain charged, but households should not depend exclusively on them. During a power outage, conserve battery power by reducing screen brightness and limiting unnecessary calls, videos, and application use while continuing to monitor official alerts.
Include First Aid and Necessary Household Items
Maintain a first-aid kit with bandages, sterile gauze, medical tape, antiseptic supplies, disposable gloves, a thermometer, and other items household members know how to use. Include essential medications and periodically review expiration dates and storage requirements.
Add household-specific necessities such as eyeglasses, hearing-aid batteries, mobility supplies, refrigerated-medication plans, infant supplies, pet medication, masks, work gloves, blankets, warm clothing, sturdy shoes, a fire extinguisher, basic tools, waterproof matches, and a modest amount of cash.
A stay-at-home kit does not make a damaged building safe. After an earthquake, check for hazards such as fire, structural damage, gas odors, broken glass, and damaged electrical wiring. Leave if the home appears unsafe or authorities direct residents to evacuate.
Store Supplies in More Than One Accessible Place
Do not keep every emergency item in a single cabinet, garage, basement, or shed. An earthquake could block a doorway, topple shelving, break containers, or make one part of the home inaccessible.
Divide supplies among two or more safe, easily reached locations. Secure heavy containers on low shelves and avoid storing emergency water in glass. Ensure that children, older adults, and household members with mobility limitations can reach appropriate supplies without entering a hazardous area.
Review the entire kit every six months. Replace expired food, water, medicine, batteries, and damaged equipment. Update supplies whenever the household gains a pet, changes medication, or develops a new dietary, medical, or accessibility need.
Helpful Hint
Store emergency supplies where household members may be able to reach them after an earthquake. Avoid keeping everything in one location that could become inaccessible. Divide water, food, lighting, first-aid supplies, and communication equipment among several secure areas.
Important Safety Reminder
A stay-at-home kit should be used only when remaining home is safe and consistent with official instructions. If authorities issue an evacuation order, leave promptly. Supplies can support a household during an interruption, but they cannot protect people from an unsafe structure, advancing fire, hazardous fumes, flooding, or another immediate danger.
Important Preparedness and Safety Notice
This chapter provides general preparedness education, not real-time emergency instructions. Conditions, evacuation zones, routes, shelters, road closures, and public-safety directions can change rapidly. During an emergency, consult current information from authorized public agencies and follow all instructions issued by emergency officials. Call 911 for an immediate threat to life, active fire, serious injury, crime in progress, or another urgent emergency.
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