Make your own emergency kit

The Code Ready Web site at www.codeready.org enables people to create a customized emergency plan and kit for their family. The kits can be made for three days, a week, a month or a year.

Here is what the Web site suggests for a one-week emergency kit for a family of four.

Water and food

* 28 gallons of water for drinking and personal care. This doesn't include water for food preparation.

* Nonperishable food in the five food groups:

168 protein servings (meat, poultry, fish, dry beans, eggs and nuts). Examples of one serving are 1 ounce of meat, poultry or fish; one-quarter cup of cooked dry beans; 1 tablespoon of peanut butter; and one-quarter ounce of nuts or seeds.

196 grain servings. Examples of one serving are one slice of bread, one cup of cold cereal and one-half cup of cooked rice, pasta or cereal.

56 fruit servings. Examples of one serving are one cup of canned or frozen fruit, one cup of 100 percent fruit juice and one-half cup of dried fruit.

84 vegetable servings. Examples of one serving are one cup of canned or frozen vegetables, one cup of 100 percent vegetable juice and two cups of frozen, leafy greens.

84 dairy servings (milk, yogurt and cheese). Examples of one serving are one-third cup of dry milk, one cup of frozen yogurt or ice cream and 2 ounces of processed cheese.

Cooking items

* Manual can opener

* All-purpose knife

* Mess kits or paper products

* Resealable plastic bags, aluminum foil, plastic wrap

* Towels and paper towels

* Small cooking stove with fuel

* Water treatment system

* Pots and pans

* Ice chest

* Dish soap

Equipment

* Portable radio with batteries

* National Oceanic and AtmosphericAdministration weather radio

* Flashlight with extra batteries

* Matches in a waterproof container

* Lantern, candles, light sticks

* Pocket knife

* Wrench to shut off gas and water; pliers,screwdrivers

* Shovel

* Signal flare

* Rope/string

* Whistle to signal family or rescuers

* Fire extinguisher (ABC type)

* Tent

* Compass

* Work gloves

* Paper, pens, pencils

* Needle and thread

* Travel alarm clock

First-aid supplies

* Thermometer, pain reliever/fever reducer, antacids, laxatives, anti-diarrhea medication

* First-aid manual

* Adhesive bandages, large sterile dressings, sterile gauze, triangular bandages, adhesive tape, antiseptic ointment

* Disposable gloves, surgical masks

* Cold pack

* Asthma medication

* Eye wash solution

* CPR breathing barrier

* Scissors, tweezers

* Thermal emergency blanket

* Premixed electrolyte solution, oral rehydrationsolution

* Sewing needle, safety pins

* Activated charcoal

* Tube of petroleum jelly

Clean air and warmth

* Dust masks

* Duct tape

* Plastic sheeting (heavy duty)

* Scissors

* Complete change of clothes; jacket or coat; sturdy shoes or boots; rain gear; hat and gloves; extra socks and underwear; thermal underwear

* Blankets or sleeping bags

Personal care and sanitation

* Toothbrush and toothpaste

* Shampoo, conditioner, comb, brush

* Sunscreen, lip balm,sunglasses

* Insect repellent, lotions, creams, deodorants

* Razor, shaving cream

* Feminine supplies

* Towelettes

* Hand sanitizer, disinfectant, bleach, bar soap

* Toilet paper in waterproof container

* Plastic garbage bags

* Medium-sized bucket with a lid

* Tissues

* Pillow

* Towel

* Books and toys for children

* Cash (about $20, including quarters)