What Should You Put in an Emergency Preparedness Kit? A Complete Starter Guide

Emergencies rarely happen when it’s convenient. Severe weather, power outages, vehicle breakdowns, evacuations, and other unexpected situations can quickly turn everyday necessities into hard-to-find resources.

The good news is that you don't have to become a hardcore prepper or spend thousands of dollars to be better prepared.

A good emergency preparedness kit starts with the basics: water, food, medical supplies, light, communication, shelter, and a few essential tools.

If you're starting from scratch, this guide will help you decide what to put in your emergency preparedness kit—and, just as importantly, what to prioritize first.

1. Water

Water should be one of your first priorities.

A common starting point for emergency planning is at least one gallon of water per person per day for drinking and sanitation. Ideally, build toward having several days' worth available.

Consider including:

• Bottled or stored drinking water
• Collapsible water containers
• Water filtration system
• Water purification tablets or another backup purification method
• Reusable water bottles

Don't forget about pets when calculating how much water your household may need.

Preparedness Tip: Water is heavy. In addition to storing water, consider having a reliable way to filter or purify additional water if your stored supply runs out.

2. Emergency Food

Choose foods that are shelf-stable, require little preparation, and are foods your family will actually eat.

Good options include:

• Canned meats, fruits, and vegetables
• Peanut butter
• Protein or energy bars
• Dried fruit
• Nuts and trail mix
• Crackers
• Ready-to-eat meals
• Shelf-stable milk
• Baby food or formula when needed
• Pet food

If you're packing canned food, don't forget a manual can opener.

Rotate your emergency food periodically so you're not discovering a box of expired food when you actually need it.

3. A Quality First Aid Kit

Every emergency preparedness kit should contain medical supplies.

At a minimum, consider supplies for treating common minor injuries such as:

• Adhesive bandages
• Gauze pads
• Roller gauze
• Medical tape
• Antiseptic supplies
• Antibiotic ointment
• Burn dressings or burn-care supplies
• Instant cold packs
• Elastic wraps
• Medical gloves
• Tweezers
• Trauma shears
• Thermometer

You can find a variety of first aid kits and individual medical supplies at Medical Gear Outfitters.

Don't Forget Trauma Supplies

A basic first aid kit is great for cuts, scrapes, burns, and everyday injuries, but it may not contain the equipment needed for severe bleeding.

Consider adding a dedicated bleeding-control kit with items such as:

• A quality commercial tourniquet
• Pressure dressing
• Compressed or rolled gauze
• Hemostatic gauze
• Medical gloves
• Trauma shears

The equipment is only part of preparedness. Get training and practice using your medical gear before you need it.

4. Prescription Medications and Personal Medical Needs

Your emergency kit should be customized for the people in your household.

Think about:

• Prescription medications
• Over-the-counter medications
• EpiPens or other prescribed emergency medications
• Glucose supplies
• Inhalers
• Hearing-aid batteries
• Eyeglasses or contact-lens supplies
• Mobility-device supplies
• Medical equipment requiring electricity

Never change how medications are stored or used without following the medication's instructions and guidance from your pharmacist or healthcare professional.

5. Flashlights and Emergency Lighting

Power outages are one of the most common reasons you'll reach for an emergency kit.

Consider keeping:

• LED flashlights
• Headlamps
• Spare batteries
• Battery-powered lanterns
• Rechargeable lights
• Chemical light sticks

A headlamp is particularly useful because it keeps both hands free while you're working.

Avoid relying entirely on rechargeable devices. Have at least one backup lighting option that uses replaceable batteries.

6. Emergency Radio and Communication

Cell phones are extremely useful, but don't assume cellular networks or internet service will always be available.

Your kit might include:

• Battery-powered or hand-crank emergency radio
• NOAA Weather Radio capability
• Portable power banks
• Charging cables
• Vehicle chargers
• Spare batteries
• Written emergency contact information

Write important phone numbers down. If your phone dies, you may discover that you don't actually know the phone numbers you need.

7. Backup Power

A portable power bank can keep phones and other small electronics running during shorter outages.

For more extensive preparedness, consider:

• Multiple USB power banks
• Solar charging panels
• Portable power stations
• Vehicle power adapters

If you use a generator, learn how to operate it safely before an emergency. Never operate fuel-burning generators indoors, in garages, or in other enclosed areas where carbon monoxide can accumulate.

8. Emergency Shelter and Warmth

Even if you plan to shelter at home, having additional protection from the weather is a good idea.

Consider:

• Emergency blankets
• Sleeping bags
• Tarps
• Ponchos
• Rain gear
• Extra clothing
• Work gloves
• Warm hats
• Hand warmers

Your needs will depend heavily on your climate and the time of year.

9. Hygiene and Sanitation Supplies

These aren't always the first things people think about, but they become extremely important during an extended emergency.

Consider packing:

• Toilet paper
• Wet wipes
• Soap
• Hand sanitizer
• Toothbrushes and toothpaste
• Feminine hygiene products
• Trash bags
• Paper towels
• Diapers and baby supplies
• Disposable gloves

Heavy-duty trash bags are particularly useful because they can serve several purposes beyond simply holding garbage.

10. Basic Tools

You don't need to carry your entire garage toolbox.

A few basic tools can accomplish a lot:

• Multi-tool
• Utility knife
• Pliers
• Adjustable wrench
• Screwdrivers
• Duct tape
• Paracord or utility cord
• Work gloves
• Zip ties
• Small pry bar

Make sure you understand how to safely shut off utilities around your home if doing so becomes necessary during an emergency.

11. Fire Safety Equipment

Every home should already have appropriate fire-safety equipment.

Check your:

• Smoke alarms
• Carbon monoxide alarms
• Fire extinguishers

Make sure everyone in your household knows where extinguishers are located and how to use them.

12. Important Documents and Cash

A major emergency could force you to leave your home unexpectedly.

Consider keeping secure copies of important information such as:

• Identification
• Insurance information
• Emergency contacts
• Medication lists
• Important medical information
• Pet vaccination information
• Household inventory
• Important account and policy numbers

Protect sensitive documents appropriately.

It's also worth keeping a reasonable amount of emergency cash in small bills. Electronic payment systems and ATMs may not work during widespread power or communications outages.

13. Maps and Evacuation Information

GPS is fantastic—until your phone is dead or you can't access the network.

Keep:

• Local paper maps
• State or regional maps
• Written evacuation routes
• Family meeting locations
• Addresses of important destinations

Your family should know where to meet if you become separated and cannot communicate.

14. Supplies for Children, Older Adults, and Pets

Emergency preparedness isn't one-size-fits-all.

Children

Consider comfort items, games, snacks, diapers, formula, medications, and other age-specific supplies.

Older Adults

Consider medications, mobility equipment, hearing aids, batteries, glasses, and other daily medical necessities.

Pets

Don't forget:

• Food
• Water
• Bowls
• Leash and harness
• Carrier
• Medications
• Waste bags
• Vaccination records
• Identification information

15. Build a Vehicle Emergency Kit

Your home shouldn't be the only place where you're prepared.

A smaller emergency kit in each vehicle can include:

• First aid kit
• Trauma kit
• Flashlight
• Water
• Shelf-stable snacks
• Emergency blanket
• Phone charger
• Jumper cables or jump pack
• Basic tools
• Reflective warning equipment
• Seasonal clothing

Adjust the kit for your climate and the distances you regularly travel.

Emergency Preparedness Kit Checklist

If you're just getting started, don't let a huge preparedness list overwhelm you.

Start here:

• Water

• Shelf-stable food

• First aid kit

• Severe bleeding-control supplies

• Necessary medications

• Flashlights/headlamps

• Spare batteries

• Emergency radio

• Phone power banks and charging cables

• Emergency blankets

• Extra clothing and rain gear

• Hygiene supplies

• Multi-tool/basic tools

• Fire extinguisher

• Important documents

• Emergency cash

• Local maps

• Pet supplies

• Vehicle emergency kit

How Much Emergency Gear Do You Really Need?

You don't have to purchase everything at once.

Start by preparing for 24 hours. Then expand your supplies to cover 72 hours. From there, work toward a longer period based on your family's risks, budget, storage space, and needs.

A preparedness kit should also be customized for where you live. Someone preparing for hurricanes may have different priorities than someone preparing for winter storms, wildfires, tornadoes, or earthquakes.

Don't Just Buy Gear—Know How to Use It

This may be the most important part of emergency preparedness.

Owning equipment isn't the same as being prepared.

Take a first aid course. Learn CPR. Learn how to control severe bleeding. Practice using your medical equipment. Know how your emergency radio works. Test your power banks. Talk through your family's evacuation plan.

Then inspect your emergency supplies several times a year. Replace expired food, water, batteries, medications where appropriate, and damaged equipment.

Start Building Your Emergency Kit Today

Emergency preparedness doesn't have to happen overnight.

Buy a few extra supplies during your normal grocery trip. Add a quality first aid kit. Build a bleeding-control kit. Pick up a flashlight and power bank. Store some extra water.

Preparedness is built one step at a time.

For first aid kits, trauma supplies, bleeding-control equipment, and other medical preparedness gear, visit Medical Gear Outfitters.