Disaster Preparation and Kit Recommendations from the Washington State Emergency Management Division
Items to Consider Adding to an Emergency Supply Kit:
- Prescription medications and glasses
- Infant formula and diapers
- Pet food, water and supplies for your pet
- Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a portable waterproof container
- Cash and change
- Emergency reference material such as a first aid book or information from www.ready.gov
- Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person Consider additional bedding if you live in a cold-weather climate.
- Complete change of clothing including a long sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes. Consider additional clothing if you live in a cold-weather climate.
- Fire Extinguisher
- Matches in a waterproof container
- Feminine supplies, personal hygiene items and hand sanitizer
- Mess kits, 3aper cups, plates and disposable utensils, paper towels
- Paper and pencil
- Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children
Preparedness on a Budget
Plan for the types of natural disasters that can happen in your area.
Create your own personalize list. You may not need everything included in “ready-made” kits and there may be additional items you need based on your personal situation. For example, if you have pets, you may need special items. Don’t forget to have supplies in your car and at work.
Look around your home fi rst for items you can place in your kit using the personalized list you create. You may be surprised how many items you already have around your home that just need to be pulled together.
Budget emergency preparedness items as a “normal” expense. Even $20 a month can go a long way to helping you be ready. Buy one preparedness item each time you go to the grocery store.
Save by shopping sales. Make use of coupons and shop at stores with camping supplies and used goods. Dollar and used goods stores have a lot of needed supplies.
Test your emergency preparedness kit every 6 months. Only replace and cycle through those items that have a shelf life (i.e. water, food, batteries). You may want to test the radio and flashlight at the same time to make sure they are in good working order. Use Daylight Savings dates as your preparedness test reminder dates.
Store water in safe containers. You don’t have to buy more expensive bottled water, but make sure any containers you use for water storage are safe and disinfected.
Request preparedness items as gifts. We all receive gift we don’t need or use. What if your friends and family members gave you gifts that could save your life? Don’t forget to protect them by sending preparedness gifts their way, too.
Think ahead. You are more likely to save money if you can take your time with focused and strategic shopping. It’s when everyone is at the store right before a storm hits that you might buy things in urgency. Use a list to avoid duplicating items when you are stressed or panicked.
Review your insurance policy annually and make necessary changes. When a disaster strikes, you want to know that your coverage will help you get back on your feet. Renters need policies too, in order to cover personal property.
Update contact records. Have an accurate phone list of emergency contact numbers. If you are prepared, you may be able to help friends and neighbors who need assistance. By sharing preparedness supplies, you can help each other.
Trade one night out to fund your family emergency preparedness kit. For example, taking a family of four to the movies can cost upwards of $80-$100. Just one night of sacrifice could fund a family emergency preparedness kit.
External Alerts & Notifications
Bellevue’s Alerts system is a notification service to keep you up to date with all things City of Bellevue. It also helps you stay informed about potential hazards and threats that may impact our area. Enroll in Bellevue’s Alert System and subscribe to the emergencies and extreme weather notifications to stay in the know.
Alert King County is a regional public information and notification service offered by King County Emergency Management. Alert King County helps you stay informed about potential hazards and threats that impact our region. The service is free and confidential and allows you the ability to register your home and work addresses for geographic-specific alerts tailed to you.
National Weather Service provides weather, water and climate data, forecasts and weather advisory warnings for our region.
Last Updated December 9, 2022