Emergency Kits

This was taken from another forum but I thought it might be a good idea to post it here. Please feel free to add your own tips.
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The Basic Emergency Supply Kit
As your most basic level is the Emergency Supply Kit. The purpose of this kit is to survive the first three days of an emergency situation without having to rely on the outside world. In the survivalist community this is commonly referred to as a "Bug Out Bag" (BOB), under the theory that in a disaster situation you may have to evacuate immediately and will want your supplies readily available. Whether your kit is in a black assault bag or sitting on the shelf of your laundry room, the basic provisions are largely the same. I've linked to a few items that I've found to be good quality, feel free to suggest alternatives:

• A three-day supply of at least one gallon of water per person, per day, in food safe containers. Typically bottled water is most recommended as its readily available and guaranteed to be safe. You can also bottle tap water and store it in 2 liter soda bottles. Clear PET plastic water bottles also enable you to disinfect suspect water using solar water disinfection. Do not use milk containers as they can't really be washed out.
  
• A three-day supply of non-perishable food. Choose foods your family will eat, and remember any special dietary needs. Avoid foods that will make you thirsty. The absolute minimum of calories needed per day for survival is 800, but that's for someone lying in a life raft not doing anything. You can either calculate your base metabolic rate (BMR) to figure out your daily caloric needs or just aim for something like 2400 calories per day. A good idea is to incorporate nonperishable foods into your regular meals and rotate that supply constantly so what you have is always fresh. Plus it means you won't have to rush to the grocery store because you'll already have all the food you need!
  
• A battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio along with spare batteries for both.
  
• A flashlight and extra batteries. Be sure to periodically check your flashlight and replace the batteries at least once a year. Better yet take the batteries out so they don't leak and destroy your light. The best kind of lights to get are the LED ones (as opposed to the old bulb style). LEDs use less energy and are much more rugged. If purchasing a bunch of flashlights be sure to standardize what battery they use. Your ultra badass tactical light will be useless if you don't have any CR123A batteries.
  
• A first aid kit. Get one that meets your needs without going overboard. The minimum should be surgical gloves (ideally not latex to avoid allergies), sterile dressings, cleansing agents, antibiotic towelettes, antibiotic ointment, burn ointment, adhesive bandages, eye wash solution, thermometer, aspirin, non-aspirin pain reliever, anti-diarrhea medication, antacid, a laxative, trauma shears, tweezers, and a tube of petroleum jelly or other lubricant. Be aware of any prescription needs such as medications, medical supplies, and backup glasses.
  
• Emergency whistle to signal for help.
  
• A dust mask to filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter in place.
  
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags, and plastic ties for personal sanitation.
  
• Wrench or pliers capable of turning off any utilities in your home.
  
• Manual can opener for food.
  
• Local maps and emergency documentation (insurance policies, identification, bank account records) in a waterproof container. There is a Emergency Financial First Aid Kit to help organize your information.
  
• Cell phone and charger.
  
• Clothing appropriate to the weather and climate.
  
• Paper and pencil.

You can buy kits from quite a few websites. Amazon has several in water-tight backpacks and boxes. Depending on where you live your kit will hold different things. Those who live in earthquake prone areas for example might want to include a hard hat and extra mask. If you live in a flood area look into cheap boats that can be blown up. It doesn't have to be something fancy just something to can use to get you to higher ground.

If you want to wait it out in your home. Fill your bathtube and sinks up with water. Don't flush the toilet unless you must. Gross? Yes, but you might be stuck in your house for days and you will need that water.

Self-heating meals
Long-lasting foods
Inter-lock if you have a generator
WaterBob
List of emergency hacks

Make backups and copies of family photos. Cloud/Dropbox services don't cost much. You can rebuild your house but your family photos might be lost forever.

I have also heard of these referred to as WTSHTF kits (When the Sh** Hits the Fan) lol

ok...and yes that is what they are! The day those dikes fail is the day we will be *&%^$#@Eed up. 

Hurricane Sandy and all of this talk of an apocalyptic reckoning has brought the need for one of these into stark reality, at least for me. I live in The Vague, so we are not prone to natural disasters, but if SHTF in California, we will surely feel some of it. plus, our sewer/drainage system sucks, so one inch of rain often causes flash floods in various parts of the valley. are there any forums that I can visit for more information?

Thank You!