If natural disasters affect your area, you may consider providing an emergency supply kit—just in case. A basic emergency kit is easy to put together; it's just a box with food, water, first aid supplies, tools, emergency supplies, and special items. You may not be able to provide all the items on this list, but you can at least include a few.

Tools and Supplies

• Emergency preparedness manual, such as the one available on the FEMA website
• Map of the area
• Several empty gallon-jugs for holding water. The jugs should be non-breakable, non-decomposable containers such as plastic water bottles. Renters would need at least a three-day supply of water per person to use for drinking, food preparation, and sanitation.
• Mess kits (paper cups, plates, and plastic utensils)
• Matches in a waterproof container
• Paper, pencil
• Plastic bucket with tight lid
• Disinfectant
• Household bleach
• Battery-operated radio
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• Non-electric can opener, utility knife
• Fire extinguisher
• Pliers
• Duct tape
• Needles, thread
• Shut-off wrench, to turn off household gas and water
• Whistle

First Aid Kit

• Adhesive bandages, various sizes
• Sterile gauze pads, various sizes
• Hand wipes or waterless alcohol-based hand sanitizer
• Antiseptic wipes
• Large medical grade non-latex gloves, 2 pairs
• Adhesive tape, 2" width
• Anti-bacterial ointment
• Cold pack
• Scissors (small, personal)
• Tweezers
•  Non-Prescription Drugs
  • Pain reliever
  • Anti-diarrhea medication
  • Antacid 
  • Laxative

While it is a rare occurrence that you or your renters would need emergency supplies, you may want to be safe rather than sorry if your vacation home's area is frequently affected by natural disasters. This list is by no means comprehensive, but it will help create a basic supply kit. You may also want to include an emergency plan for your renters explaining where to go in the community in the event of a natural disaster.

What's in your emergency supply kit? "I don't have an emergency supply kit per se, but in my directions/attraction book, I have a list (like this one) of useful supplies that renters should have if a natural disaster strikes before they can evacuate.  Of course, most of the tools, maps, etc I already have on hand." --Georgia B., Santa Cruz, CA.

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