I hate to be cynical, but 82% of the people polled said they were prepared for an emergency situation where they would have to survive on what they had for two weeks and that percentage sounds inflated to me. Unless they were poling ETS forum members or similar, I'd think 33% was a high number. Not even 10% of my family and friends are prepared for a two week emergency and I talk about the necessity of being prepared all the time.

On the other hand, I actually hope that 82% is correct...

I read that to mean 82% thought they were prepared, but in fact most (99%) did not have everything on the list. I don't have everything; why would I want chemical cold packs when I have ice.

I agree that the list appears to be lacking in some basic essentials. A manual can opener is good, but no knife? Everyone has knives, go look in the kitchen.

But, having something is better than having nothing.

I too think the 82% number is hyper-inflated. It may be a matter of perception - I "think" I am ready for a two week situation as opposed to I "know" I am ready for a two week situation.

I also think that too many people are believing that Uncle will be there to help them in a time of crisis, making things all better. Good luck with that line of thought.

I doubt that 82% are prepared for tomorrow.

Storing adequate water is probably where most families would fall short. They use more than they think and storing enough for two weeks requires real commitment and substantial storage.

Things like knives it is reasonable to presume everyone has in their kitchen.

I agree, but 82% think they're ready -- it's a matter of perception.

I agree on knives/tools, but if you don't have them you probably won't know how to use them. Since a set of knives (meaning more than one) is in 99% of the kitchens in the U.S., putting knives on the list couldn't have hurt but doesn't really matter.

How come duct tape is not on the list? I am not the brightest knife in the drawer (mixed metaphor?), but I would think that would have made the list. I know not everyone views it as a necessity. But, it is just so darned handy and versatile.

Also, remember that 75% of statistics are made up on the spot and the other 25% are made up later. I seem to recall Mark Twain said something about statistics.

2 weeks worth of water is 40- 80 gallons for us. Seems like quite alot. What does the Red Cross recommend?

Twain's quote was' "there are lies, damned lies and statistics".

i would like to see a list like this..done better of course,that was aimed at different parts of the country with the needs of large city's factored in.the water issue prompted this thought.where i live i have lots of water in lots of places i can walk too.some cleaner than others but nothing that one of my water filters can't clean so there is no need to store lots of water--but--if it was winter and sub zero i would want someway to heat at least one room of my home and the space that water would take up in Arizona i would have filled with wood,coal,LP gas.or in winter and stuck in the house i may want more high calorie foods that i would than down south where dealing with the cold would not be an issue.anyway you get the idea--people don't get prepared not just because their lazy but they get bad and sometimes opposite information.there are lots of food blogs that cater to a city or part of the country,how about a group of blogs that do the same and include the SW corner of Ohio or the panhandle of Texas until just about everyone knows not just a good place to eat in town but what they would need in a emergency where they live.

I believe Red Cross recommends the minimum, 1 gallon per person per day. Two weeks is 14 gallons, times the number in your household - for us currently 3. 42 gallons - the size of a 55 gallon barrel or 2 x 30 gallons would do; or for those optimistic about reaching it, your home water heater might cover that. 42 gallons is not very much once you have bought the barrels and run the garden hose, and have a pump etc - and you rotate your stored water with daylight savings time. Personally though I would plan for more water, 3 gallons per day per person.

I think the gist of the CU article is that only 1% of those who say they are prepared have at least the things on their list, and if you list more things then the 1% will go down, but what's the point. I daresay any list is slanted to the abilities of those who make them - I can survive for weeks from the contents of my home without a knife (gasp) or duct tape, but I won't last more than 3 days without warm clothing and shelter to protect us from cold or wet.

Another way of putting Consumer Reports' analysis: if a disaster forced you outdoors in the next five minutes, what would you have to sustain life? Their poll indicates alot of people *think* they have some supplies, but only 1% actually do. So there will be alot of neighbors digging in their rubble looking for stuff (and maybe people), and/or in need of the basics, food and shelter.