Week One: Water

What could be simpler?  Because your home disaster kit will double as an emergency evacuation kit, make it as transportable as possible.  Wal-Mart has a camping/sporting section with 6- and 7-gallon water containers.  I chose the 7-gallon, cube-shaped one because there's a spigot inside the lid.  The tall, narrow, 6-gallon container has a spout inside its lid.  Your choice. 

Also, prepare and label a small, leakproof bottle of UNSCENTED household chlorine bleach (5.25% sodium hypochlorite), just in case.  FEMA guidelines state: If you have questions about the quality of the water, purify it before drinking. 

Water quantity

Bleach added

1 quart

1 gallon

5 gallons

4 drops

16 drops

1 teaspoon

Store your water container on the main level of your home where it will be immediately accessible for moving into the basement or putting into your car. 

Select a date 3-6 months out and make a note on your calendar to change the water and rotate the food you will be assembling in the coming weeks.

That's it until next week!