WaterStart here
Food-grade water container, 5–7 gallon
A manageable-size container for building and rotating a household water reserve.
Check before choosing
- ✓Food-contact-safe construction
- ✓Tight closure and carry handle
- ✓Shape that fits a cool, dark storage location
Important: Water is heavy. Confirm every shelf and household member can safely handle the filled weight.
WaterBuild next
Gravity-fed emergency water filter
Hands-off treatment capacity for a household after stored water is established.
Check before choosing
- ✓Published contaminant-reduction claims
- ✓Independent certification or test report
- ✓Available replacement elements and clean-water vessel
Important: A filter may not remove viruses, salt, fuels, pesticides, or every chemical. Match the device to the actual hazard.
WaterBuild next
Compact squeeze water filter
A portable backup for evacuation bags and short-duration travel.
Check before choosing
- ✓Documented pore size and organisms addressed
- ✓Field-cleaning method
- ✓Compatible clean container or bottle
Important: Freezing can damage a wet hollow-fiber filter. Follow storage, cleaning, and replacement instructions.
MedicalStart here
Household first-aid kit
Organized supplies for common injuries, paired with training and household-specific needs.
Check before choosing
- ✓Visible contents and refill availability
- ✓Multiple glove sizes and basic wound supplies
- ✓Space for an emergency information card
Important: A kit does not replace training or professional care. Avoid advanced equipment you are not trained to use.
MedicalStart here
Labeled medication and document organizer
A portable way to keep a current medication list, instructions, and allowed backup supplies together.
Check before choosing
- ✓Water-resistant organization
- ✓Readable labels and expiration visibility
- ✓Room for pharmacy and clinician contacts
Important: Do not change doses or stock prescription medicine outside clinician and pharmacy guidance.
Power & lightStart here
LED headlamp with low-power mode
Hands-free task lighting that can stretch battery reserves during outages.
Check before choosing
- ✓Useful low mode instead of headline lumens alone
- ✓Common or rechargeable battery format
- ✓Simple controls and water resistance
Important: Store spare batteries correctly and test the lamp on a schedule; extreme temperatures reduce runtime.
Power & lightBuild next
Portable power station for essential loads
Battery backup sized from the devices and runtime your household actually needs.
Check before choosing
- ✓Usable watt-hours and continuous/surge watts
- ✓Battery chemistry and cycle information
- ✓Input options, warranty, and replacement support
Important: Calculate loads before buying. A battery station is not an unlimited substitute for utility power.
Power & lightStart here
Battery-operated carbon-monoxide alarm
Independent CO warning for outages when fuel-burning equipment risks increase.
Check before choosing
- ✓Listed to the applicable safety standard
- ✓End-of-life signal
- ✓Battery operation and a readable manufacture date
Important: Never use a generator, grill, camp stove, or other fuel-burning device inside a home, garage, or enclosed space.
CommunicationStart here
NOAA Weather Radio with alert mode
A dedicated receiver for official warnings when phones or internet access are unreliable.
Check before choosing
- ✓Public Alert or alert-mode capability
- ✓Battery operation and usable controls
- ✓Reception test at the intended location
Important: Coverage and reception vary. Test local transmitters and keep another official alert method enabled.
CommunicationBuild next
FRS two-way radio pair
Short-range household coordination without relying on cellular networks.
Check before choosing
- ✓FRS-compliant fixed antenna
- ✓Common charging or battery option
- ✓Simple channel lock and weather resistance
Important: Advertised maximum range assumes ideal conditions and is not a real-world guarantee.
CommunicationStart here
USB power bank with charge indicator
Portable backup energy for a phone and other small USB devices.
Check before choosing
- ✓Rated capacity and supported output standards
- ✓Recognized safety certification
- ✓Visible state of charge and compatible cables
Important: Capacity claims are not the same as energy delivered to a phone. Inspect for swelling or damage and recharge periodically.
Food & cookingStart here
Durable manual can opener
A simple, no-power tool matched to shelf-stable foods your household rotates.
Check before choosing
- ✓Comfortable operation for intended users
- ✓Easy cleaning
- ✓A tested backup in a separate kit
Important: Wash after use and replace damaged tools that leave sharp metal fragments.
Food & cookingBuild next
Outdoor-only emergency camp stove
A compact cooking option for outdoor use when normal appliances are unavailable.
Check before choosing
- ✓Stable pot supports
- ✓Fuel availability and safe storage
- ✓Controls that can be operated confidently outdoors
Important: Use outdoors only and away from doors, windows, vents, tents, and combustible materials. Never use it for indoor heat.
Shelter & airBuild next
Reinforced emergency tarp and cordage
Flexible weather protection for temporary repairs, shade, or a simple outdoor shelter.
Check before choosing
- ✓Reinforced attachment points
- ✓Useful finished size and packed weight
- ✓Cordage and practiced setup method
Important: Keep clear of power lines, unstable structures, fire, exhaust, and floodwater. A tarp is not a permanent repair.
Shelter & airStart here
NIOSH-approved N95 respirators
Disposable particulate respirators selected in sizes and styles that users can seal correctly.
Check before choosing
- ✓NIOSH approval markings
- ✓Fit and seal for each intended user
- ✓Clean, dry storage in original packaging
Important: N95s do not protect against gases or vapors and may not fit everyone. Facial hair can prevent an effective seal.
PetsStart here
Pet first-aid and transport kit
Basic stabilization supplies kept with veterinary contacts, records, and species-appropriate transport gear.
Check before choosing
- ✓Gloves, gauze, non-stick pads, and cohesive wrap
- ✓Species-appropriate restraint and transport item
- ✓Space for records, medications, and poison-control contacts
Important: First aid only supports safe stabilization and transport. Do not give human medicine or change a pet dose without veterinary direction.
PetsStart here
Species-appropriate evacuation carrier
A secure, labeled carrier or container that lets the animal evacuate with the household.
Check before choosing
- ✓Correct size, ventilation, and closure
- ✓Durable identification and contact sleeve
- ✓Familiarization practice before an emergency
Important: Reptiles, birds, and small mammals have temperature and handling needs that differ from cats and dogs; confirm the plan with an exotics veterinarian.
VehicleBuild next
Vehicle emergency kit with reflective gear
A vehicle-specific layer for visibility, warmth, basic repairs, and waiting safely for help.
Check before choosing
- ✓Reflective vest and warning devices
- ✓Season-appropriate warmth and water
- ✓Tools matched to the vehicle and the driver’s skills
Important: Avoid standing in traffic lanes and never work under an inadequately supported vehicle. Replace heat-damaged or expired contents.