When suddenly prompted to evacuate your home, how do you know what to bring and what to leave behind? It's not easy, especially with small children, to get everyone evacuated and supplies packed. That's why it is important to be prepared for an evacuation or other in home emergency, before you find yourself running for the door.

Like all other emergency kits, focus on packing the essentials first. In the case of a city evacuation you can bet you won't be stopping for fast food on the way to the interstate. Make sure you pack plenty of food and water for the members of your family; in fact, FEMA advises that every person pack enough food and water for two weeks. You also need to include a first aid kit, flashlights, extra batteries, a radio, and some local maps.

Now, depending on where you live, you will also need to add supplies to help you in your specific location. For example, if you live in a hot, humid climate, you should pack electrolyte supplements. If you live in a dry, cold climate, you should pack extra blankets, gloves, hats and mittens. Consider your daily routine and make sure you pack a two weeks supply of daily medications and other personal supplies. You can purchase emergency home kits from Survival-supply.com, or you can build your own home emergency kit by purchasing supplies.

After you have your kit ready to go, make sure you store it in a cool, dry place to protect can goods and other non-perishable items. Make sure the kit is stored in a place where it can be easily accessed, but not easily disturbed. Also, make sure the members of your family know where to find it. When everything is set, create and review an evacuation plan with your family. Being prepared in a state of emergency will bring your family peace of mind.