Build a basic emergency kit
One kit covers most emergencies: storms, outages, or leaving in a hurry. Start with the basics and add what your family needs.
Sources read Oct 30, 2026.
🔦 Shop the five-day emergency suppliesAmounts for your group, Amazon links, and a list you can save.The basics
- Water: 1 gallon per person per day for several days, and several days of non-perishable food.
- A battery or hand-crank radio, and a NOAA weather radio with tone alert.
- A flashlight, extra batteries and a first aid kit.
- A whistle to signal for help, and dust masks.
- Plastic sheeting, scissors and duct tape.
- Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties.
- A wrench or pliers to turn off utilities, and a manual can opener.
- Local maps, and a phone with chargers and a backup battery.
From Ready.gov: Build a Kit.
Add for your household
- Prescription and everyday medicines, glasses and contact lens solution.
- Baby supplies: formula, bottles, diapers, wipes and diaper cream.
- Pet food and extra water.
- Cash, and copies of important documents in a waterproof container or saved online.
- A sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person, and a change of clothes with sturdy shoes.
- Hygiene items, paper plates, cups and utensils, paper and a pencil, and games or books for kids.
From Ready.gov: Build a Kit.
How long to plan for
- Ready.gov says several days. The Red Cross suggests 3 days if you leave and 2 weeks at home.
- Our five-day kit sits in between. Change the days on the kit page to suit you.
From Ready.gov: Build a Kit and American Red Cross: Survival Kit Supplies.
Where to keep it
- At home, in one spot everyone knows, ready to grab.
- At work, enough to stay there 24 hours, with comfortable walking shoes.
- In the car, a smaller kit in case you get stranded.
From Ready.gov: Build a Kit.
Keep it fresh
- Store cans in a cool, dry place and boxed food in closed plastic or metal containers.
- Replace anything past its date.
- Look at it once a year and change it as your family changes.
From Ready.gov: Build a Kit.
Ready-made or build your own
- A packed 72-hour backpack is a fast start.
- Building your own lets you pick food your family eats and fill the gaps a packed kit leaves.
Our tips.
Sources
- Ready.gov: Build a Kit · page updated Jul 1, 2026 · read Oct 30, 2026
- American Red Cross: Survival Kit Supplies · read Oct 17, 2026
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General preparedness information, not professional or medical advice. In any emergency, call your local emergency number and follow official guidance from local authorities.