This isn't really technical but with the recent events unfolding in Japan and knowing the crowd that frequents these forums I'm sure some will have some input.

I'm looking to put together a disaster kit to keep at home and/or in the car for personal use for me and my family in the event it's needed. It's something I've considered doing in the past and just never followed through.

How many of you have a kit? What's in it if you do or what would you include if you were building one?

the FEMA list isn't too bad... Couple things I'd swap out / add. As I listed in my other post.

http://www.fema.gov/areyouready/assemble_disaster_supplies_kit.shtm

I like the MRE option too, but because of the shelf life I'd want something I like eating on a regular basis. I though about mentioning them above. The Army Surplus store around here sells them for about 110.00 a case (Harry's Army Surplus (Billv should know that name)).

The down side to the built in heater. You need water for it, and you'll be putting your food container in it. Sacrifice drinking water for heating food, or use questionable water and worry about cross contamination.

Thanks for the replies guys

I wasn't really thinking about being stuck at home, more of something like "the world is ending and I need to get out and survive" type of thing. That way I should be prepared for anything less than that :-p

As I've been searching around, this is what I've come up with so far (I don't think I have any duplicates but I haven't edited this list - though some items aren't required if you include other things listed), in no particular order:

LED lights
solar power
flashlight
batteries
light sticks
radio (handcrank)
thermal/polar fleece blankets
ponchos
tents
whistle
knife
gun(s)/ammo
firestarter
duct tape
rope/cord
fishing kit
water/fireproof container (important documents)
water purification tablets
water pouches and/or bottled water
food bars and/or MREs (can opener)
multi-tool
gloves
clothes/shoes/boots
chemical suits + masks
N95 respirator mask
goggles
signal mirror
gas/water wrench
matches (waterproof)
personal hygiene kits
N95 mask
trash bags
body/hand/foot warmers
pen/pencils/paper
two-way radios
pry bar/crow bar
lockpick tools
rubber/plastic wedge (or big easy lockout kit)
snare wire
handheld gps unit
various maps
toys/child activities

first-aid kit (which is a sub-category of itself that I haven't looked into yet)

Yeah, I think the difference is whether you're planning for yourself or for a family - in my case with two young children that are going to require some of that extra stuff.

If it were just me, my list would surely be shorter.

Binoculars would probably be something to add too.

A friend of mine sent this over earlier:
http://www.nukalert.com

A bit pricey though... but if I felt the need to spend the $ on it, guess it could be a valuable tool.

When I was in Jr. High some kids started a MRE and decided they didn't want it so they gave it to me.  It had one of those heating packs and I got confused and ate half of the heating pack (!!!) since I was eating in the dark (others had gone to bed).   All I can remember thinking was that it was bland, but at least it was warm and left a weird warmth in my tummy.

I ended up ok, since that was before I worried about poisoning and all that so I didn't puke or drink milk or anything.