TOP TIPS

Be Prepared for Any Emergency

Create an emergency kit.

A well-stocked emergency kit can save lives. Keep a kit in your home and each of your vehicles, and refresh expired items —or update your kit as your needs change — every year.

Keep cash on hand.

Have a lot of small bills on hand in each of your emergency kits. If your area loses power or the power is turned off for safety reasons, ATMs and credit card machines will not work, and cash will be your only way to pay for goods you may need.

Make a plan.

During a disaster, phone systems and cellular networks may be down or overloaded. It’s important to make a plan with your family in advance about where to meet if you are not together when a disaster strikes. Maintain a list of out-of-town contacts who each of you will try to contact to share information about your family.

Get informed.

Knowing in advance how to handle an emergency can help you save possessions, homes, and even lives. The City of Agoura Hills offers free CERT classes that can help prepare you for a disaster.

Fill your tank.

In the event of an emergency, you may have to drive a significant distance to find a safe place to stay. If the city is without power, gas station pumps will not work — and even if electricity is available, you may be one of a very large number of people trying to get gas. Make a habit of filling your car’s gas tank when it gets down to half-full. 

Get connected.

Register yourself and all family members on the City’s emergency notification system. When registered, you can opt to receive emails, texts, and/or phone calls with messages about emergency conditions and actions. Click here to sign up for emergency messages.

Creating an Emergency Kit

A well-stocked emergency kit can save lives. Keep a kit in your home and each of your vehicles, and refresh expired items — or update your kit as your needs change — every year. Check out ready.gov/kit for more tips and info.

  • Assembling an emergency kit is a big job, so break it down into small pieces. Keep a list in the car of the things you need to purchase and buy some items when you’re out and about. Going to the market? Pick up some extra canned food. Heading to the hardware store? Grab a gas meter wrench. Extra change? Take small bills from your wallet and put them into your kit. 

    Check out the US government’s Build a Kit resource for a comprehensive list of what you should consider for your emergency kit(s), or see our recommendations below.

  • Many businesses specialize in preparedness supplies and sell pre-assembled emergency kits, which can be an easy way to cover many basic needs in one purchase. However, you may need to supplement with additional items, so make sure you are considering your own family’s specific needs. See the US government’s Build a Kit resource for a comprehensive list of considerations, or check out our recommendations below.

    • Water: Water is the one thing you can’t live without. Budget 1 gallon of water per person per day for at least 7–10 days, for both drinking and sanitation.

    • Food and utensils: Prepare a 7- to 10-day supply of non-perishable food or emergency rations for people and pets, and make sure you have a manual can opener so you can access canned goods.

    • Medication: At least a 10-day supply of all medications

    • Communication devices: Stock your kit with cell phone chargers and backup batteries. It’s also a good idea to keep a battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert in your kit.

    • First aid and sanitation items: A first aid kit, moist towelettes, antibacterial hand cleaner, garbage bags, and plastic ties (for personal sanitation)

    • Tools and other resources: Flashlights with extra batteries, wrench or pliers to turn off utilities, leather work gloves, local maps (can be downloaded onto phones in advance)

    Find a comprehensive list of items you should keep in your emergency kit at ready.gov/kit.

  • It’s important to make sure your emergency kit stays up to date. Remember to:

    • Check the expiration dates on food, water, and medication and replace supplies as needed. 

    • Periodically replace batteries in radios, tools, or other devices.

    • Update your kit as your needs change. Common reasons might include:

      • Having a child

      • Family member has moved out

      • Family member has moved in (e.g., taking care of an older family member)

      • Someone in your family has changed medications

      • Someone in your family has new dietary needs

      • Adopted a new pet

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS RESOURCES