I was pleasantly surprised when HR provided me with an emergency personal evacuation safety kit on my first day. There are some shortcomings with the kit, but at least it’s a step in the right direction. It also makes it easier for me to justify and explain my own items. Here’s the run down with my comments added after each item:

Contents
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2 – Particle (dist) masks
Paper disks with elastic strap stapled and a bendable nose clip
1 – 4 ounce water pouch
I was informed when I received the kit that the water has a shelf life of 5 years. There’s no date on the bag but she said they bought them a year ago.
1 – Safety goggle
The safety goggles are big enough to fit over prescription glasses. However, they have perforations on the side for ventilation, which would allow fine dust to enter (such as dry wall dust).
1 – 12 hour light stick
Color = green with no expiration. I would have preferred a bright white stick for evacuation purposes.
1 – Emergency blanket
Reflective space blanket… take it or leave it. What do you guys think?
1 – ZipLock bag
Holds everything together and contents are easily seen and identified from the outside.

Custom Item
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1 pair work gloves
Nice leather and heavy cloth gloves.

The kit was purchased from a vendor, Simpler Life Emergency Provisions, Inc.

Overall, I have to commend the company for distributing these to all employees. I was also given emergency procedures and watched a 15 minute video on the same subject. However, the contents and use of the kit were not in either material.

I still carry my own items including a Fox 40 whistle, Photon II, CPR Microshield, Leatherman Juice S2, phone credit card, sewing kit, 2 quarters, razor blade and band-aids. These are either in my zippered palm portfolio or attached with a detachable keychain. I also have a filled pint water bottle in my nearby laptop bag. It has several feet of duct tape wrapped around it. I have spare meds in there too, but in a true emergency I would only have time to grab the water bottle if I was in my office. If not, I’d only have my Palm portfolio items.