The uptick in extreme weather means it’s more important than ever to have an emergency preparedness kit. Our team in the Good Housekeeping Institute Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab compiled the following checklist of everything you need to keep you and your family safe, warm, and fed after a disaster.
Experts recommend keeping enough supplies on hand for at least three days. In addition to food and water, our list includes medications and important documents, as well as household-specific items like diapers, pet food, and medical devices.
What should I use to pack my emergency kit?
When putting together a disaster survival kit, first decide what kind of container will work best for you. You may be using the kit at home during a simple power outage, but there’s also the chance you’ll need it while on the move (hence the term “go bag”).
City dwellers may want to divide the items among a few travel backpacks to be split between family members in case of an evacuation. If you have more space and access to a car, opt for plastic storage bins that can be stored in the garage. Whichever option you choose, include an itemized list of emergency supplies in the backpack pocket or taped to the bin’s lid so you’ll know what’s where.
Ideally, you want to pack these kits and leave them ready and untouched until needed. In reality, though, you might end up digging inside to get cash for the babysitter or to grab something you need from the first-aid kit. Just be diligent about replacing the purloined items as soon as possible. And post a yearly reminder in your family calendar to make sure everything is still unexpired and up to date.
Including items compiled by the Red Cross and FEMA, we’ve put together a practical checklist of necessities and nice-to-haves in case of an emergency.
A complete list of basic supplies to keep in your emergency kit:
✔️ Enough water for three days: Experts recommend at least a gallon of water per person per day. You can tote the full supply in pouches or jugs, or treat water on the go with lighter options like portable water filters and water purification chemicals.
✔️ Water bottles: Look for a model that’s durable, easy to use, retains temperature well, and resists leaks. Bottles that hold 24 to 36 ounces will be small enough to fit in a backpack yet large enough that you don’t need to refill them as often.
✔️ Enough food for three days: Stock a selection of nonperishable, high-protein foods like healthy canned goods (beans, tuna, salmon, chili, peanut butter, mixed nuts) that you don’t need to cook, as well as powdered milk and shelf-stable snacks like dried fruit and your favorite protein bars. When it comes to canned goods, it’s best to look for low-sodium options and cans without BPA lining, if possible.
✔️ A waterproof resealable plastic bag for important documents and money: Include a paper map of your area; your family’s passports; bank account records; insurance policies; a paper list of phone numbers and addresses of friends and family; medical and prescription information; and cash or traveler’s checks.
✔️ First-aid essentials: No emergency kit is complete without a reliable first-aid kit. Look for one that’s comprehensive, compact, and well-organized, with bandages, cold packs, and pain meds, so you’ll be ready for cuts, burns, or other minor injuries.
✔️ Miscellaneous health and hygiene supplies: In addition to a first-aid kit, keep a supply of N95 masks, disinfectant wipes, baby wipes, diapers, personal hygiene items, bleach, and trash bags on hand.
✔️ A multiuse tool: The best ones come with everything from scissors and a can opener to pliers and screwdrivers.
✔️ Duct tape: A roll of waterproof sticky stuff is perfect for quick fixes and MacGyver-style modifications.
✔️ A crank-powered radio: During an emergency—especially a weather-related disaster—a manually powered radio is a useful backup source of emergency information.
✔️ A headlamp: In the event of a power outage, a good headlamp can run for 12 hours on AAA batteries. Models with dimmer switches mean you can look up from a task without blinding your companions.
✔️ Portable lighting: We like lanterns that pack flat, power up quickly, and supply up to 24 hours of light on a single charge.
✔️ A reusable phone charger: Several of the most popular ready-to-buy emergency kits include one-time phone chargers, but an efficient, folding solar panel charger can be used repeatedly.
✔️ Lightweight, waterproof blankets: Full-size sleeping bags aren't easy to carry around, so opt for a supply of reflective emergency blankets that are designed to retain most of your body’s heat.
✔️ Waterproof matches and/or fire starters: You’ll need a heat source in case of power outages. A quality fire starter is good for thousands of strikes, meaning it will last much longer than a pack of waterproof matches.
✔️ A whistle: In the event you lose cell service or battery power, a whistle can help alert emergency rescue crews to your location in hazardous conditions.
✔️ Pet supplies: Don’t forget about your pets—include three days’ worth of dry food, any meds, collapsible plastic bowls, and litter box supplies.
✔️ AAA batteries: Spend more on batteries that promise up to 10 years in storage.
What’s in Mine
Everyday items to add to your gather-at-the-last-minute list:
- Prescription medications (On the list, include each individual prescription so nothing gets left behind. Keep at least two weeks’ supply on hand at all times.)
- Driver's license
- Eyeglasses and contact lenses
- Good walking shoes
- Clothing that works in all weather (Include a base layer, a layer for warmth, and a breathable waterproof outside layer.)
- Phones and charging cables
- Infant formula
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Dan DiClerico runs the Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute. In that role, he oversees testing of all home-related products, including those aimed at protecting against extreme weather, from resilient roofing and siding to backup generators designed to keep your home running through extended power outages. Over his two decades as a home expert, Dan has worked closely with external experts from organizations such as FEMA, the Red Cross, the National Fire Protection Association, and others.
