Category: Emergency Preparedness
Building an Emergency Supply Kit
An emergency supply kit is a collection of basic items you may need if the power goes out, water becomes unsafe, stores close, roads are blocked, or you need to leave home quickly.
You do not need to prepare for every disaster separately. A well-planned basic kit can help during severe weather, extended power outages, evacuations, water emergencies, and many other situations. You can then add a few items based on the emergencies most likely where you live.
Building a kit does not have to be expensive, complicated, or completed in one shopping trip. Start with what you already have. Add the most important supplies first. Improve the kit over time.
The goal is not to build a warehouse full of survival equipment. It is to make sure you can safely meet your household’s basic needs for several days when normal services are temporarily unavailable.
Start With the People You Are Preparing For
Before buying anything, identify who the kit needs to support.
Include:
- Every person who lives in the home
- Children and infants
- Older adults
- Anyone who takes medication
- Anyone with a disability or medical condition
- Pets and service animals
- Anyone who regularly stays with you or may depend on you during an emergency
Think about what each person uses during a normal day. If an item is important every day, it may become even more important when stores, pharmacies, transportation, electricity, or water are unavailable.
Ask:
- Does anyone need prescription medication?
- Does anyone use a mobility, hearing, vision, breathing, feeding, or communication device?
- Does any equipment require electricity or batteries?
- Does anyone have food allergies or a medically necessary diet?
- Does anyone need help understanding instructions or managing stress?
- Are there infants, young children, or pets in the home?
- Would anyone need assistance evacuating?
Write down the answers. Your emergency kit should fit your household, not someone else’s generic checklist.
Plan for Both Staying Home and Leaving
Different emergencies require different responses. Sometimes the safest choice is to stay inside. At other times, officials may tell you to evacuate.
A practical system includes:
A Home Supply Kit
This holds larger quantities of water, food, sanitation supplies, blankets, tools, and other items you would use while remaining at home.
An Evacuation Bag
This is a smaller bag you can carry if you need to leave quickly. It should contain your most important documents, medication information, basic food and water, communication supplies, and personal necessities.
You do not need two completely separate collections of everything. Keep the most portable and essential items together in an easy-to-carry bag, then store additional household supplies nearby.
How Long Should Your Supplies Last?
Prepare enough food, water, and basic supplies to support everyone for at least three days. Several government and emergency organizations recommend building beyond that when possible, because some emergencies can interrupt services for longer.
Do not let the size of a two-week goal stop you from preparing for three days. Three days is better than one. One day is better than nothing.
Build in stages:
- Prepare for one day.
- Expand to three days.
- Add supplies until you can manage for a week.
- Continue toward two weeks if your space, budget, and household needs allow.
Water Comes First
Store at least one gallon of water per person per day for drinking, food preparation, brushing teeth, and basic sanitation. For a three-day supply, one person needs at least three gallons.
Store more when possible for:
- Hot weather
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Illness
- Pets
- Medical or hygiene needs that require additional water
Unopened commercially bottled water is a simple and reliable choice. Check the date and storage instructions on the package. Keep water in a cool area away from chemicals, gasoline, pesticides, and direct sunlight.
If you fill your own containers, use food-grade water-storage containers. Do not use containers that previously held chemicals. Label the containers with the filling date and replace the stored water every six months unless the container manufacturer provides different instructions.
Water is heavy. Do not put the household’s entire supply into one evacuation bag. Keep a manageable amount in the grab bag and store the larger supply at home.
Choose Food You Will Actually Eat
Store nonperishable food that does not require refrigeration. During a power outage, cooking equipment may not work and tap water may not be available, so prioritize foods that need little or no preparation.
Possible choices include:
- Canned meat, fish, beans, vegetables, and fruit
- Nut or seed butter
- Crackers
- Shelf-stable milk
- Ready-to-eat cereal
- Protein or granola bars
- Dried fruit
- Nuts and seeds
- Applesauce or fruit cups
- Shelf-stable meals
- Foods specifically needed for allergies or medical diets
- Comfort foods that can make a stressful situation more manageable
Include a manual can opener if any food is stored in cans.
Avoid building the entire supply around food that:
- Requires a working stove
- Needs large amounts of water
- Must remain frozen or refrigerated
- Your household dislikes or cannot safely eat
- Is difficult for someone in the home to open, chew, swallow, or digest
Rotate emergency food into regular meals before it expires and replace it with newer items. This reduces waste and keeps the kit familiar.
Medication and Medical Supplies
Medication can be one of the hardest things to replace during an emergency. Keep an updated medication list that includes:
- Person’s name
- Medication name
- Dose
- When and how it is taken
- Reason it is taken
- Prescribing healthcare professional
- Pharmacy name and phone number
- Allergies
- Important diagnoses or medical conditions
Ask your healthcare professional, pharmacist, and insurance provider how to safely maintain an emergency supply. Refill rules vary, and some medications cannot be stored far in advance.
Also consider:
- Over-the-counter medication used regularly
- Glasses or contact-lens supplies
- Hearing-aid batteries
- Blood glucose supplies
- Inhalers
- Medical identification
- Mobility-device supplies
- Feeding or continence supplies
- A cooler and cold packs for medication requiring refrigeration
- Backup batteries or power for medical equipment
Do not stop, ration, combine, or replace medication without appropriate medical guidance. Check medication and supplies regularly and replace anything that is damaged or expired.
First Aid Supplies
Keep a basic first aid kit that your household knows how to use. It may include:
- Adhesive bandages in several sizes
- Sterile gauze pads
- Medical tape
- Antiseptic wipes
- Disposable gloves
- Tweezers
- Scissors
- Elastic bandage
- Thermometer
- Instant cold pack
- First aid instructions
- Any household-specific first aid items recommended by a healthcare professional
A first aid kit helps with minor injuries. It does not replace medical care. Call 911 or seek emergency help when someone has trouble breathing, severe bleeding, signs of a stroke or heart attack, loss of consciousness, a serious injury, or another life-threatening condition.
Helpful Resources: Browse First Aid Kits for products, equipment, services, or supplies related to this section.
Light, Power, and Communication
Power and internet service may fail during an emergency. Include more than one way to receive information and keep essential devices working.
Consider:
- Flashlights
- Extra batteries in the correct sizes
- Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
- NOAA Weather Radio
- Charged portable phone battery
- Charging cables
- Car charger
- Whistle for signaling
- Paper contact list
- Local paper map
- Written emergency instructions
Flashlights are safer than candles during most power outages because they do not create a fire risk. Check batteries regularly and keep spare batteries stored according to the manufacturer’s directions.
Download important phone numbers, maps, and information for offline use before an emergency. A smartphone is useful, but it should not be your only source of information.
Helpful Resources: Browse Emergency Power & Charging for products, equipment, services, or supplies related to this section.
Important Documents and Information
Place copies of essential information in a waterproof pouch or sealed plastic bag. You may also keep encrypted digital copies somewhere you can securely access from another device.
Consider copies of:
- Photo identification
- Health insurance cards
- Medication list
- Emergency contacts
- Household communication plan
- Home, renters, vehicle, and other insurance information
- Lease, mortgage, or property information
- Birth certificates and other identity documents
- Pet vaccination and ownership records
- Important medical information
- Recent photographs of household members and pets
- Instructions for medical, communication, or support needs
Do not place irreplaceable original documents in a bag that could easily be lost or stolen unless you are actively evacuating with them. Store originals securely and decide in advance which ones you would take.
Keep a small amount of cash in manageable denominations if you can. Card readers and ATMs may not work during a power or communications outage. Protect cash and documents from water and theft.
Clothing, Warmth, and Protection
Include items appropriate for the weather where you live:
- Change of clothes
- Sturdy closed-toe shoes
- Warm layers
- Rain protection
- Hat and gloves
- Sleeping bag or warm blanket
- Work gloves
- Dust masks
- Sunscreen and insect repellent when appropriate
Children grow, seasons change, and medical needs change. Review stored clothing at least twice a year.
Do not rely on emergency blankets alone for extreme cold. They can be useful as lightweight backup protection, but safe shelter, appropriate clothing, and ordinary warm blankets may still be necessary.
Hygiene and Sanitation
Water, plumbing, or garbage collection may be limited. Useful supplies include:
- Toilet paper
- Soap and hand sanitizer
- Moist towelettes
- Toothbrushes and toothpaste
- Menstrual products
- Diapers and wipes
- Incontinence supplies
- Garbage bags and plastic ties
- Paper towels
- Disinfecting supplies
- Disposable plates, cups, and utensils
- Resealable plastic bags
- Personal hygiene products used regularly
Store cleaning products safely and keep them away from food, medication, children, and pets. Never mix cleaning chemicals. Follow label instructions for ventilation and use.
Basic Tools and Household Supplies
Depending on your home and abilities, consider:
- Multi-purpose tool
- Pliers or wrench
- Duct tape
- Plastic sheeting
- Waterproof matches in an appropriate container
- Fire extinguisher
- Extra house and vehicle keys
- Paper and permanent marker
- Rope or sturdy cord
- Utility knife
- Basic repair supplies
Know how and when to shut off household utilities before an emergency. Do not turn off natural gas unless instructed by emergency officials or you recognize signs of a leak. In many locations, only the utility company or another qualified professional should turn it back on.
Never use a generator, charcoal grill, camp stove, or gasoline-powered equipment inside a home, garage, basement, shed, or enclosed area. These devices can produce deadly carbon monoxide even when windows or doors are open.
Helpful Resources: Browse Household Emergency Tools for products, equipment, services, or supplies related to this section.
Supplies for Disabilities and Individual Support Needs
A basic kit may not meet everyone’s needs. Personalize it with items such as:
- Backup batteries and chargers for adaptive equipment
- Communication boards or other communication aids
- Written instructions in an accessible format
- Extra cane or other mobility aid when available
- Repair supplies for mobility equipment
- Sensory or calming items
- Ear protection
- Familiar objects or activities
- Backup eyeglasses
- Hearing-aid supplies
- Service-animal supplies
- Information explaining how someone communicates or receives assistance
- Contact information for support providers
If someone depends on powered medical or mobility equipment, plan for outages before they happen. Contact the equipment supplier and utility company to learn about backup-power options, emergency programs, and restoration-priority policies. Registration does not guarantee uninterrupted power, so maintain another plan.
Practice how the person will communicate needs, use unfamiliar transportation, or manage a change in routine. Emergency preparation should increase independence and predictability, not simply place supplies in a container.
Preparing for Stress, Confusion, and Sensory Needs
Emergencies can be loud, crowded, unfamiliar, and unpredictable. Add items that help household members remain regulated and understand what is happening.
These might include:
- Headphones or ear protection
- Sunglasses or a hat
- Comfort objects
- Fidget items
- Familiar snacks
- Simple written or visual instructions
- A small activity, book, or game
- Communication cards
- A schedule or explanation of what may happen next
If someone may wander, become disoriented, or have difficulty providing personal information, include identification and an emergency contact method that protects privacy while helping responders provide support.
Supplies for Infants and Children
Children need more than smaller portions of adult supplies. Consider:
- Diapers, wipes, and diaper cream
- Ready-to-feed formula when appropriate
- Bottles, nipples, and feeding supplies
- Baby food and age-appropriate snacks
- Medications and dosing tools
- Extra clothing in the correct size
- Blankets
- Carrier or stroller
- Comfort item
- Books, toys, or quiet activities
- Identification and family contact information
Babies grow quickly. Check these supplies more frequently than the rest of the kit.
Never dilute formula to make it last longer. Follow safe feeding and preparation instructions, especially when clean water is limited.
Supplies for Pets and Service Animals
Prepare for each animal in the household. Include:
- Food stored in a waterproof container
- Water
- Bowls
- Medication
- Leash, harness, and collar with identification
- Carrier or crate
- Waste bags, litter, and cleaning supplies
- Vaccination and veterinary information
- Recent photograph
- Familiar blanket, toy, or comfort item
- Feeding and medication instructions
Identify evacuation locations that accept pets before an emergency. Service animals are not pets, but they still require food, water, medication, equipment, and care supplies.
Where to Store the Kit
Store supplies somewhere that is:
- Easy to reach
- Known to everyone in the household
- Protected from heat, moisture, pests, and chemicals
- Accessible to the people who may need to carry or use it
- Close enough to an exit for evacuation
Do not bury emergency supplies behind holiday decorations, heavy furniture, or seventeen boxes labeled “miscellaneous.” If you cannot reach the kit quickly, it is not ready.
Use sturdy plastic bins, backpacks, rolling bags, or other containers your household can manage. Label the containers clearly. Divide heavy supplies into several smaller containers rather than creating one impossible-to-lift box.
Keep additional smaller kits at work and in vehicles when practical. A vehicle emergency kit serves a different purpose and should include transportation-specific supplies.
Build the Kit on a Limited Budget
Preparedness does not require buying an expensive premade kit. In fact, a kit assembled for your household may be more useful because you know what is inside and how to use it.
Start with no-cost steps:
- Gather items you already own.
- Write emergency contacts and medication information.
- Download local alerts and offline maps.
- Place copies of documents in a waterproof bag.
- Choose a storage container.
- Review the food already in your pantry.
Then add one or two items during regular shopping trips. Watch for sales, but do not buy unfamiliar equipment simply because it is marketed for survival.
Prioritize in this order:
- Water
- Necessary medication and medical supplies
- Food
- Light and communication
- First aid
- Hygiene and warmth
- Documents, cash, and household-specific supplies
Preparedness is not a contest. A carefully planned basic kit is more valuable than expensive equipment no one knows how to use.
Do Not Pack Equipment You Cannot Use Safely
Emergency supplies should make the situation safer, not introduce new hazards.
Before adding equipment:
- Read the instructions.
- Confirm that it is appropriate for your household.
- Practice using it safely.
- Check whether it requires fuel, ventilation, batteries, maintenance, or replacement parts.
- Store it away from children and anyone who may use it incorrectly.
Do not assume that a water filter removes every type of contamination. Do not use household bleach to treat drinking water unless public health guidance specifically tells you the correct product and procedure. Do not use outdoor cooking or heating equipment indoors.
Maintain the Kit
An emergency kit is not finished forever. Review it every six months and after any major household change.
A simple schedule is to check it when clocks change in spring and fall. During each review:
- Replace expired food, medication, and first aid supplies.
- Check bottled-water dates and replace self-filled water as needed.
- Test flashlights and radios.
- Recharge portable batteries.
- Inspect battery compartments for corrosion.
- Update contact, medical, and insurance information.
- Replace clothing that no longer fits or matches the season.
- Update infant, disability, medical, and pet supplies.
- Confirm that everyone knows where the kit is.
- Make sure every household member can lift or divide the evacuation supplies appropriately.
Write the next review date on a label attached to the container and set a calendar reminder.
Practice Using the Kit
A kit is most useful when people know what is inside.
At least once a year:
- Open every container.
- Show household members where important items are stored.
- Test the radio, flashlights, and chargers.
- Practice finding emergency contacts and documents.
- Discuss which items go with you during an evacuation.
- Practice leaving the home using the planned route.
- Identify anything missing, confusing, too heavy, or difficult to use.
If another person may help during an emergency, show them the plan. Do not assume they will know where medication, communication tools, mobility supplies, or pet equipment are stored.
Emergency Supply Kit Checklist
Use this checklist as a starting point and adapt it to your household.
Basic Needs
- Water for each person and animal
- Several-day supply of nonperishable food
- Manual can opener
- Essential medication and medical supplies
- First aid kit
- Flashlights and extra batteries
- Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
- Phone chargers and portable battery
Information and Communication
- Emergency contact list
- Medication and medical information
- Copies of important documents
- Household emergency plan
- Local map
- Paper and marker
- Whistle
- Small amount of cash
Personal Needs
- Change of clothing
- Sturdy shoes
- Blankets or sleeping bags
- Hygiene and sanitation supplies
- Weather-appropriate protection
- Glasses, hearing supplies, or communication aids
- Disability- and medical-specific equipment
- Comfort and sensory items
Household and Evacuation Supplies
- Easy-to-carry bag
- Waterproof document pouch
- Work gloves
- Basic tools
- Fire extinguisher
- Extra keys
- Masks
- Garbage bags and plastic ties
Children and Animals
- Infant feeding and diaper supplies
- Child medication and comfort items
- Pet or service-animal food and water
- Leashes, carriers, medication, and records
- Identification and recent photographs
Start Today
You do not need to wait until you can afford every item. Take one useful step today:
- Fill or buy the first container of water.
- Write the household medication list.
- Put a flashlight and batteries in a labeled bin.
- Gather important phone numbers.
- Choose the bag you would take during an evacuation.
- Set aside one day of food.
Then add another step next week.
Emergency preparation is not about expecting something terrible to happen. It is about reducing the number of decisions you must make when something unexpected does happen. When the lights are out, roads are closed, or officials tell you to leave, you should not have to begin by searching for a flashlight, medication list, phone charger, or pet carrier.
A useful kit gives you time, options, and a little more control. Build it gradually, keep it current, and make sure everyone knows how to use it.
