Emergency Supplies List: Essential Items for Every Home

Water and Hydration

Water is the foundation of every emergency supply list. FEMA, the Red Cross, and virtually every emergency management agency in the country recommends storing at least one gallon of water per person per day. That gallon covers drinking and basic sanitation. For a family of four building a two-week supply, you need 56 gallons of water. While that number sounds daunting, you can build toward it gradually by filling cleaned two-liter soda bottles and food-grade containers with tap water.

Beyond bulk water storage, include water purification methods in your supplies. Water purification tablets (iodine or chlorine dioxide) are lightweight, inexpensive, and have a shelf life of four to five years. A portable filter like the Sawyer Squeeze or LifeStraw lets you drink from natural water sources if your stored supply runs out. A metal boiling pot or container is essential because boiling for at least one minute kills bacteria, viruses, and parasites that filtration alone may not remove.

Store water in food-grade plastic containers, not milk jugs, which can harbor bacteria even after cleaning. Label each container with the fill date using masking tape. Replace stored water every six months to maintain freshness and safety. If you live in an apartment or have limited storage, start with a three-day supply per person and build toward two weeks over several months. Even a partial supply is far better than nothing when municipal water lines are compromised.

Food and Nutrition

A well-stocked emergency food supply keeps your family nourished when grocery stores are closed, power is out, and help has not yet arrived. Aim for a minimum two-week supply of non-perishable food that requires little or no cooking, since you may not have reliable access to gas, electricity, or a stove. For a comprehensive approach to building food reserves, consult our emergency food storage guide.

Prioritize calorie-dense, shelf-stable options: canned meats (tuna, chicken, salmon), canned fruits and vegetables, peanut butter, granola bars, trail mix, dried beans, rice, pasta, powdered milk, and honey. Freeze-dried meals offer a 25-year shelf life, require only hot water, and provide complete nutrition in a lightweight package. Always pack a manual can opener, because electric openers are useless without power.

Do not forget dietary restrictions and preferences. Stock gluten-free options for celiacs, low-sodium items for those with heart conditions, and diabetic-friendly snacks for blood sugar management. Baby food and formula are essential for infants. Comfort foods like hard candy, instant coffee, chocolate, and dried fruit provide a morale boost during stressful situations. Check expiration dates every six months and use the first-in-first-out method to prevent waste.

First Aid and Medical Supplies

A comprehensive first aid kit handles the most common emergency injuries: cuts, burns, sprains, allergic reactions, and minor infections. Your kit should go far beyond basic bandages. Include adhesive bandages in multiple sizes, sterile gauze pads, rolled gauze, medical tape, antiseptic wipes, antibiotic ointment, hydrocortisone cream, burn gel, pain relievers (ibuprofen and acetaminophen), antihistamines, tweezers, scissors, a digital thermometer, nitrile gloves, an instant cold pack, and a CPR face shield. For a detailed medical kit breakdown, see our car first aid kit guide.

Stock a 30-day supply of prescription medications for every household member. Talk to your doctor about obtaining an emergency reserve before disaster season. Keep a printed medication list in your document bag showing drug names, dosages, prescribing physicians, and allergies. Include medical devices: extra eyeglasses, hearing aid batteries, glucose monitors, inhalers, and EpiPens.

Add a basic first aid reference manual so anyone in the family can look up proper wound care, splinting, or CPR technique under stress. Consider enrolling in a Red Cross first aid or CPR course. Skills are the most valuable supply you can have because they cannot expire, break, or get left behind in a hasty evacuation.

Lighting and Power

Power outages affect nearly every type of disaster. Without electricity you lose light, refrigeration, communication, and climate control. A reliable light source is a necessity, not a luxury. Pack at least two LED flashlights per household member, plus several headlamps for hands-free work. LED flashlights are bright, durable, and run for dozens of hours on a single set of batteries. Avoid incandescent mini-flashlights, which burn out quickly and produce dim light.

Beyond flashlights, include battery-powered or hand-crank lanterns for room illumination. Chemical light sticks are an inexpensive backup that provide several hours of soft light and are safe around children and pets. Always store extra batteries in a cool, dry location and rotate them annually. Rechargeable battery packs with solar charging capabilities offer a sustainable long-term solution.

For extended power outages, a portable power station or generator can be life-changing. A small portable power station (200 to 500 watt-hours) can charge phones, run a small fan, power a medical device, and keep a lamp going for days. A fuel-powered generator provides enough electricity to run a refrigerator, a few lights, and a fan, but must be operated outdoors to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. For a complete list of essential power and lighting gear, see our home emergency kit guide.

Tools and Safety Equipment

The right tools let you shut off utilities, clear debris, make repairs, and signal for help. Every emergency supply kit should include a multi-tool, a sturdy fixed-blade knife, duct tape, paracord or rope (at least 50 feet), work gloves, a whistle for signaling, and a wrench or pliers for shutting off gas and water valves. A battery-powered or hand-crank weather radio keeps you informed when cell towers are down and internet is unavailable.

Fire safety equipment is equally critical. Include a fire extinguisher rated for multiple fire types (look for an ABC rating). A smoke detector with a fresh battery and a carbon monoxide detector can save your life during shelter-in-place scenarios involving heating with alternative sources. For more detail on fire safety tools, see our fire safety supplies guide.

Additional useful tools include a small pry bar for opening jammed doors, a battery-powered drill with assorted bits, a sewing kit for clothing repairs, zip ties, a funnel, and a permanent marker. Write critical information on surfaces during an evacuation: when you left, where you went, and emergency contact numbers. A simple tool kit gives you the ability to solve problems and make repairs when professional help is days away.

Communication Devices

Staying informed and connected during an emergency is critical. Cell networks become congested, towers go down, and batteries drain quickly. A battery-powered or hand-crank NOAA weather radio receives emergency alerts and broadcasts when all other communication channels fail. This single device can provide life-saving information about evacuation orders, storm paths, and shelter locations.

Pack a portable solar or hand-crank phone charger to keep your phone alive when the grid is down. A fully charged portable battery pack (10,000 to 20,000 milliamp hours) can recharge a smartphone two to four times. Walkie-talkies provide local communication within your family when cell networks are overloaded. Choose models with a range of at least two miles for suburban use.

Write emergency contacts on a laminated card, not just in your phone. Phones break, batteries die, and contacts can be lost. Include your out-of-area contact, local emergency numbers, your insurance agent, your children's school, and poison control (1-800-222-1222). Text messages use less bandwidth than voice calls, so text first if you can get a signal. For more communication planning details, see our disaster preparedness plan guide.

Shelter and Warmth

If your home becomes uninhabitable, you need immediate shelter solutions. Emergency space blankets (Mylar blankets) reflect up to 90 percent of body heat, weigh almost nothing, and cost less than two dollars each. Pack one per family member in every go-bag. For more substantial shelter, include a lightweight tarp and paracord to construct a basic wind and rain shelter.

In cold climates, add thermal underwear, wool socks, hand warmers, body warmers, and an extra set of warm clothing per person. Hypothermia is a real risk even in temperatures above freezing when a person is wet or exposed to wind. In hot climates, prioritize lightweight sun-protective clothing, wide-brim hats, and electrolyte packets for hydration.

A compact sleeping bag or sleeping bag liner rated to at least 40 degrees Fahrenheit provides basic warmth for overnight sheltering. A ground pad or sleeping mat insulates your body from cold ground, which is one of the fastest ways to lose body heat. For extended shelter-in-place scenarios, pack tarps, tent stakes, and duct tape to create temporary barriers against wind and rain. For a complete shelter-ready supply list, review our 72-hour kit guide.

Sanitation and Hygiene

Sanitation supplies prevent the spread of disease during emergencies when plumbing and water treatment systems are compromised. Include toilet paper, garbage bags (heavy-duty), hand sanitizer, soap, a small trowel or shovel for digging a cat hole, disposable plates and utensils, and paper towels. A portable camping toilet or a five-gallon bucket with snap-on toilet seat provides a functional bathroom alternative when plumbing fails.

Personal hygiene items are essential for health and morale. Pack toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, deodorant, feminine hygiene products, baby wipes (which double as a full-body cleaning solution), and a small towel. Feminine hygiene products and adult incontinence supplies are frequently overlooked on emergency lists but are critically important for the people who need them.

Dust masks (N95 or KN95 if available) protect your lungs from smoke, ash, mold, and debris. Safety goggles shield your eyes from irritants. Heavy-duty work gloves protect your hands during cleanup. These items are inexpensive and compact but can prevent serious injuries during post-disaster cleanup. For more on home sanitation and emergency supplies, see our emergency preparedness checklist.

Documents and Cash

Critical documents are among the hardest things to replace and among the easiest to prepare in advance. Your document kit should include government-issued IDs, birth certificates, Social Security cards, insurance policies, medical records, property deeds or lease agreements, bank account information, and a recent family photograph for identification purposes. Store originals in a fireproof, waterproof document bag.

Digitize every document. Scan or photograph each one and store copies in a secure cloud service like Google Drive or Dropbox. Keep a USB flash drive with all digital copies in your go-bag. Having redundant access to your documents protects you even if your physical copies are lost or destroyed.

Cash is essential during power outages when ATMs and credit card machines stop working. Keep at least $200 in small bills ($5, $10, and $20 denominations) in your document bag. In extended emergencies, cash may be the only way to purchase supplies, fuel, or food. For a comprehensive document protection strategy, see our disaster preparedness plan guide.

Comfort and Morale Items

Emergency supplies are not only about survival; they are about maintaining mental health and family morale during a stressful event. Comfort items are especially important for children, who process disasters differently than adults and benefit greatly from familiar objects that provide a sense of normalcy.

For children, pack a favorite stuffed animal, a small toy, a coloring book with crayons, and a deck of cards. These items occupy children during long waits and reduce anxiety. For adults, include instant coffee, tea bags, hard candy, chocolate, a book, and a portable game or puzzle. Small comforts make a meaningful difference in overall morale.

Include practical comfort items: a portable camp chair, a warm blanket, a rain poncho, lip balm, sunscreen, insect repellent, and a small amount of your preferred personal care items. Comfort is not frivolous; it directly impacts your family's ability to remain calm, make good decisions, and recover faster from the psychological effects of a disaster. For a complete supply list covering all categories, see our home emergency kit guide.