Home and car safety kits can help you survive an emergency. Why do I need an emergency kit? Texas often faces weather or fire disasters. Residents sometimes need to leave home in a hurry. An emergency kit helps you and your family prepare for the worst. What should be in my home emergency kit? Essentials such as food and a supply of water, a gallon a person a day for three days to start. You’re also going to want powered-up chargers for your devices, including cell phones. Add a simple first aid kit with antiseptic wipes, Band-Aids, and your family’s medicines. Put all of these ahead of time into a backpack. Are there any other items that belong in the kit? You could pack a hard hat in case you find yourself in a situation where you have debris—maybe needing to clean out tree limbs. Add work gloves, a safety vest, and plastic baggies to keep your insurance and other important documents safe and dry. Also pack hygiene items such as toothpaste, shampoo, deodorant, things like that—whatever keeps you comfortable. What items go into my car emergency kit? Your car kit can be similar to your home kit—including water, food, blankets, and chargers. Add jumper cables and maybe an air compressor to pump up your tires. Also, put a bag of sand or cat litter in your car kit to give your car better traction if you face icy road conditions. Is there a place to get more information? TexasReady.gov has tips for building your kit. Disaster checklist and ready kitBuild a kit (TDEM)