What to keep in a home emergency kit

A home emergency kit is meant to carry a household through at least three days without power, running water or quick access to stores. Public preparedness guidance commonly uses three days as a starting point, and it is a sensible target for most homes. The kit does not need to be elaborate. Its core covers water, food, light, communication, first aid, medication and key documents, and every item should be chosen for the people and animals who will use it.

Think of the kit as a set of answers to specific problems. Without power you need light and a safe way to stay warm or cook, which means avoiding open flames indoors. Without running water you need a supply and a plan for treating it. Without phone service you need a radio and a written list of contacts. Working through those problems one at a time makes it much easier to see what is missing.

Water and food

Plan for at least one gallon of water per person per day, for at least three days, and add extra for pets. Store more than that minimum in hot weather, and plan for more for children, nursing mothers, or anyone who is ill, because heat, illness and physical work all raise how much water a person needs. Store water in clean, food-grade containers with tight lids, somewhere cool and dark. Commercially bottled water with an intact seal is the simplest option. Containers you have cleaned and refilled also work well, provided you label each one with the fill date. If the local supply may be unsafe, follow official guidance on treating water rather than improvising.

Food should be non-perishable, ready to eat and something people in the household will actually eat. Canned meat and fish, canned fruit and vegetables, peanut butter, crackers, dried fruit, nuts and shelf-stable meal kits are common choices. Include a manual can opener, disposable plates and utensils, and food suited to infants, older relatives or anyone with special dietary needs. Add any formula or specialty food the household relies on. Mix in foods the household already eats, so the supply does not feel unfamiliar when the stress is already high.

Light, communication and tools

Battery or hand-crank flashlights and headlamps are safer than candles, which can start fires, especially in a dark house where people are moving around. Keep spare batteries stored separately and check them at each rotation. A battery or hand-crank radio, ideally one that can receive weather alerts, keeps you informed when phone service or internet access fails. Keep a power bank charged and store the cables for the household's phones and devices with it. Consider a small battery-powered lamp for a bedroom or bathroom, so nobody has to move through a dark house to reach the toilet or check on a child. Test every light at each rotation rather than assuming it still works.

Basic tools belong in the kit too. A wrench or pliers may be needed to shut off a utility when officials instruct you to, and duct tape, a multi-tool, heavy-duty trash bags with ties, plastic sheeting and a whistle for signaling are useful in many situations. A fire extinguisher should be kept near an exit, and everyone should know how to use it before they need it.

Warmth and cooking

An outage in cold weather makes warmth as important as light. Keep a sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person, along with a warm layer such as a fleece or a hat for anyone who may sleep in a cool room. Add sturdy closed shoes for each person as well, because broken glass and debris are common after storms, and a pair kept by the door is quicker to find in the dark. Store the clothing and bedding in a waterproof bag so a damp basement or closet cannot spoil them.

Plan meals that need no cooking, so the kit does not depend on a stove. If you do cook during an outage, use a camp stove or charcoal grill only outdoors, well away from doors, windows and vents. Grills, camp stoves and generators must never be used indoors or in a garage, even with the garage door open, because they give off carbon monoxide, a gas you cannot smell that can reach dangerous levels indoors. Never use an oven or a grill to heat a room.

Health, medication and important papers

Assemble a first aid kit with bandages, gauze, adhesive tape, antiseptic wipes, scissors and tweezers, along with any items recommended by a doctor. Ask your doctor or pharmacist how much of each prescription to keep on hand. Many emergency guides suggest a week or more where practical, but the right amount depends on the medication, so check before you stock up. Include a written list of medications with doses, allergies and the names of prescribing clinicians, since a pharmacy may be closed or unreachable during an event.

Keep copies of important papers, such as identification, insurance cards and property records, in a waterproof bag or in a secure digital location that can be reached without power. Add hand sanitizer, moist towelettes, toilet paper and sealable bags for sanitation. Carry some cash in small bills, because card payment systems may not work during an outage.

Storing, rotating and adjusting the kit

Keep the kit in one place that is easy to reach, such as a closet on the ground floor or a sturdy bin near an exit. Avoid garages, attics and sheds, where temperature swings can shorten the life of food, batteries and medicines. Set a recurring reminder twice a year to check expiration dates, rotate water and food, test flashlights and replace weak batteries. Water is usually replaced on a regular cycle, such as every six months. Food nearing its date can move into everyday meals, so the stock stays fresh and is replenished as it is used.

Adjust the kit to your household. A home with an infant may need diapers and formula, a household with an older adult may need mobility aids and spare eyeglasses, and anyone who depends on hearing aids or a medical device needs spare batteries or chargers. Add supplies for pets, such as leashes, carriers and copies of vaccination records. If you may need to leave the house on short notice, keep a smaller bag with the most important items, such as medication, copies of documents, a phone charger and a flashlight, near the exit or in the car. Finally, walk through the plan with everyone who lives in the house, so they know where the kit is and how each item is used.

A kit is only useful if it is complete and current when it is needed. A short check twice a year, plus a list of what your household specifically requires, keeps it ready without turning it into a major project.