🔦 Emergency preparedness

Drinking and cleaning water

1 gallon per person per day is the Red Cross and Ready.gov amount. Hot weather, nursing and illness can need more.

1 gallon per person per day

Amazon search: “gallon drinking water”

Water storage container

Reliance Aqua-Tainer 7-gallon water container

A 7-gallon jug with a spigot for storing your own tap water.

Good for: Water at home

2 containers for the group

For filling your own water. Two 7-gallon containers hold about 14 gallons.

Personal water filter

LifeStraw personal water filter

A light straw filter for a go-bag or a hike.

Good for: Go-bags and hiking

Our rule: one backup filter per four people. Check what a filter removes before relying on it.

Water purification tablets

CDC lists tablets and bleach for making water safe. Follow the label.

1 pack for the group

Unscented household bleach

For cleaning, and for making water safe using CDC's amounts.

1 bottle for the group

Amazon search: “unscented bleach”

Collapsible water containers

2 containers for the group

Amazon search: “collapsible water container”

Non-perishable food

One person-day is a day of food for one person. Pick food your household already eats.

1 person-day per person per day

Amazon search: “non perishable food”

3-day emergency food supply

Mountain House 3-day emergency food supply kit

Freeze-dried meals for three days in one box. Add hot water.

Good for: Go-bag or a short outage

1 kit each

A ready-made option; one kit per person.

Freeze-dried meals

Mountain House Classic meal bucket

12 pouches of freeze-dried meals. Add water.

Good for: Pantry backup

1 pouch per person per day

Our rule: one pouch per person per day as a backup meal.

Electrolyte drink mix

Liquid I.V. Hydration Multiplier, lemon lime, 50 packets

Electrolyte drink packets. Ask a doctor for babies or anyone on fluid limits.

Good for: Heat and stomach bugs

1 packet per person per day

For heat and stomach bugs. Ask a doctor for babies and people on fluid limits.

Canned soups and stews

Our rule: half a can per person per day.

Canned vegetables

5-gallon water jug

Shows up often in Amazon searches next to emergency prep.

2 jugs for the group

Amazon search: “5 gallon water jug”

Paper plates

Our rule: one and a half per person per meal; people grab seconds.

1.5 plates per person per meal

Cups

2 cups per person per meal

Amazon search: “disposable cups”

Plastic utensils

1.5 sets per person per meal

Amazon search: “disposable cutlery set”

Manual can opener

Mebotem heavy-duty manual can opener

Big handles and an easy-turn knob. No power needed.

Good for: Every pantry

1 can opener for the group

Ready.gov puts one in the basic kit.

Lighter or matches

Keep them dry. Ready.gov lists waterproof matches.

2 lighters for the group

Amazon search: “waterproof matches”

Camp stove

Coleman Classic 2-burner propane stove

Two burners on standard 16-ounce propane cylinders. Outdoors only.

Good for: Camping

1 stove for the group

Use outdoors only. Never cook with fuel indoors.

Food thermometer

ThermoPro TP19 instant-read thermometer

A fast thermometer for meat and leftovers.

Good for: Holiday cooking

1 thermometer for the group

Propane canisters

2 canisters for the group

Amazon search: “1 lb propane cylinder”

Fridge and freezer thermometers

Ready.gov: check food temperatures after an outage.

2 thermometers for the group

Toilet paper

Our rule: about 3 rolls per person per week.

Facial tissues

Zip-top bags

Keep papers and phones dry.

1 box for the group

Amazon search: “gallon zipper bags”

Wet wipes

Ready.gov lists moist towelettes.

5 wipes per person per day

Large trash bags (30 gallon or more)

20 bags for the group

Amazon search: “30 gallon trash bags”

Contractor bags

For heavy, wet or sharp debris.

20 bags for the group

Amazon search: “contractor trash bags”

Portable toilet bags

For when toilets cannot flush. Ready.gov lists garbage bags and ties for sanitation.

1 bag per person per day

Amazon search: “portable toilet waste bags”

Disinfecting wipes

Clorox disinfecting wipes, 3 x 75

Three canisters of disinfecting wipes.

Good for: Cold and flu season

1 canister for the group

Rubber gloves

1 box for the group

Amazon search: “disposable gloves”

Mop and bucket

1 set for the group

Amazon search: “mop and bucket set”

Heavy-duty work gloves

For cleanup after storms and floods.

1 pair per adult

Amazon search: “work gloves”

Mold and mildew cleaner

Follow the label and the CDC's mold cleanup advice.

2 bottles for the group

Hand sanitizer

2 bottles for the group

Toothbrushes

Spares for guests who forget theirs.

1 toothbrush each

Toothpaste

Our rule: a tube lasts one person about 7 weeks.

Hand soap

Feminine hygiene supplies

Ready.gov lists feminine supplies.

1 box per adult

Amazon search: “pads tampons”

Contact lens supplies or spare glasses

Ready.gov lists glasses and contact lens solution.

1 set for the group

Amazon search: “contact lens case travel”

Prescription medicines

Red Cross: a 7-day supply. Ask your prescriber or pharmacy what is possible.

1 one-week supply each

Amazon search: “weekly pill organizer”

Medical device backup batteries

Ask the device maker or supplier how long a backup lasts. Ready.gov says to plan for power-dependent devices.

Amount varies

Amazon search: “medical device backup battery”

Diabetes supplies

Test strips, lancets and glucose tabs. Ask the care team how much to keep.

Amount varies

Amazon search: “glucose tablets”

Thermometer

Braun digital thermometer (PRT2100US)

A fast digital thermometer for mouth, armpit or rectal use.

Good for: Sick days

1 thermometer for the group

Masks

3M 8210 N95 masks, 20-pack

NIOSH-approved N95 masks for dust and smoke.

Good for: Smoke and cleanup

2 masks each

Ready.gov lists masks to filter contaminated air. EPA says a well-fitted N95 can reduce wildfire smoke; kids need their own sizes.

Pain and fever reliever

1 bottle for the group

Amazon search: “pain reliever”

Flashlights

GearLight S1000 rechargeable flashlights, 2-pack

Bright flashlights that charge by USB-C, so a power bank keeps them going.

Good for: Outages

1 flashlight each

One per person, so nobody is left in the dark.

Batteries

Amazon Basics AA batteries, 48-pack

A big pack of AAs for lights and radios.

Good for: Restocking

4 batteries each

Check sizes for your lights and radio.

Hand-crank weather radio with charger

RunningSnail hand-crank radio

A small crank radio with the NOAA weather band and a flashlight.

Good for: Go-bags

1 radio for the group

Radios were among the biggest jumps in demand during the 2025 Iberian blackout.

Headlamps

Energizer LED Headlamp PRO, 2-pack

Light where you look, and batteries included.

Good for: Outages and camping

1 headlamp each

Lantern

Etekcity CL10 LED lanterns, 4-pack

Four battery lanterns for shared rooms. Batteries included.

Good for: Outages

2 lanterns for the group

Power bank

Anker PowerCore Slim 10,000mAh power bank

Pocket-size backup charging for a phone.

Good for: Everyday bag

1 power bank per adult

Sleeping bags

Coleman Brazos 20°F sleeping bag

A machine-washable bag rated to 20°F.

Good for: Spring and fall camping

1 sleeping bag each

Check the temperature rating for your nights.

Emergency blankets

Swiss Safe mylar emergency blankets, 4-pack

Light foil blankets for the car and go-bags.

Good for: Car and go-bag

1 blanket each

Extra blankets

1 blanket each

Amazon search: “fleece blanket”

Tarp

1 tarp for the group

Amazon search: “waterproof tarp”

Rain ponchos

1 poncho each

Warm layers

Ready.gov lists a change of clothes and warm layers.

1 layer each

Amazon search: “fleece jacket”

Multi-tool

Gerber Suspension NXT multi-tool

Pliers, a knife and drivers in one pocket tool.

Good for: Go-bag and car

1 multi-tool for the group

Ready.gov lists a wrench or pliers to turn off utilities.

Duct tape

Gorilla Tape, black, 2-pack

Thick, strong tape for quick repairs and sealing plastic.

Good for: Kits and repairs

1 roll for the group

Ready.gov lists plastic sheeting and duct tape.

Whistle

Fox 40 Classic whistle with breakaway lanyard

A loud pealess whistle on a breakaway cord.

Good for: Go-bags and kids

1 whistle each

Ready.gov lists a whistle to signal for help.

Card games

Ready.gov suggests activities for kids in a kit.

2 decks for the group

Amazon search: “card games for family”

Coloring books and crayons

1 set per kid

Baby food and formula

One day's supply per baby per day. Use what your baby already eats.

1 day's supply per baby per day

Amazon search: “baby formula”

Diaper cream

1 tube per baby

Bottles

4 bottles per baby

Amazon search: “baby bottles”

Baby emergency kit

Diapers, formula, bottles, clothes and medicine for a few days.

1 kit per baby

Amazon search: “diaper bag organizer”

Pet food

One day's portion per pet per day. Ready.gov says to plan food and water for pets too.

1 day's portion per pet per day

Amazon search: “dog food”

Leash and ID tag

Ready.gov: keep ID and a current photo of your pet.

1 set per pet

Amazon search: “pet id tag”

Poop bags

Earth Rated poop bags, 315 unscented

Refill rolls of unscented bags.

Good for: Every walk

3 bags per pet per day

Pet water

Our rule: half a gallon per pet per day; big dogs drink more.

Amazon search: “pet water bowl”

Pet carrier or crate

1 carrier per pet

Cat litter

Go-bag

Red Cross: a 3-day supply to take with you.

1 bag each

Amazon search: “emergency backpack”

Car emergency kit

First Secure car emergency kit

Jumper cables, an air compressor and first aid in one bag.

Good for: Trunk

1 kit for the group

Weather radio

Midland ER310 hand-crank NOAA weather radio

Weather alerts, plus hand-crank and solar charging.

Good for: Every home kit

1 radio for the group

Ready.gov lists a battery-powered or hand-crank radio with NOAA alerts.

Carbon monoxide alarm

First Alert CO605 plug-in CO alarms, 3-pack

Plug-in CO alarms with battery backup, one for each level.

Good for: Every floor

2 alarms for the group

Put one on each floor and near sleeping areas. Ready.gov warns about CO from generators and heaters.

Document bag

Flypal fireproof document bag with lock, XL

Keeps IDs and papers together, ready to grab.

Good for: Go-bag

1 bag for the group

Copies of IDs, insurance and medical papers.

Fire extinguisher

First Alert HOME1 fire extinguisher

A rechargeable home extinguisher rated 1-A:10-B:C.

Good for: Kitchen and garage

1 extinguisher for the group

Smoke and CO alarm

First Alert battery smoke and CO combo alarm (SMCO100)

One battery alarm for smoke and carbon monoxide.

Good for: Bedrooms and hallways

1 alarm for the group

Test monthly. Add one per floor and outside sleeping areas.

Baby gate

Regalo Easy Step extra-tall walk-through gate

A tall gate for doorways. Not for the top of stairs.

Good for: Babies and toddlers

1 gate for the group

Gloves or mittens

1 pair each

Amazon search: “winter gloves”

Winter hats

1 hat each

Amazon search: “winter beanie”

Thermal base layers

1 set each

Amazon search: “thermal underwear set”

Waterproof bin for documents

1 bin for the group

Amazon search: “waterproof storage box”

Air purifier

EPA says a HEPA purifier sized for the room can lower indoor smoke.

1 purifier for the group

Amazon search: “hepa air purifier”

Replacement HEPA filters

2 filters for the group

Amazon search: “hepa replacement filter”

Furnace filters (MERV 13)

2 filters for the group

Amazon search: “merv 13 furnace filter”

Adjustable wrench

Ready.gov lists a wrench or pliers to turn off utilities.

1 wrench for the group

Folding shovel

1 shovel for the group

Dust masks

2 masks per adult

Seatbelt cutter and window breaker

resqme car escape tool

A keychain seatbelt cutter and side-window breaker. Not for windshields.

Good for: Every car

1 tool for the group

Spare mobility device batteries

Ask the supplier which spare fits.

Amount varies

Amazon search: “power wheelchair battery charger”