Emergency Preparedness List
Share
Here’s an emergency preparedness list, organized by category, covering short-term disasters to long-term disruptions. It's tailored to help you survive without electricity, running water, or outside help for at least 2 weeks—with scalable options for longer durations. We offer a FREE- digital version of this emergency prep supply list that would be much easier to print. Just click the link.
Food & Water
|
✔️ |
Item |
Notes |
|
1 gallon of water/person/day (bare minimum- this only gives you ½ gallon to drink and ½ gallon to wash hands, dishes, laundry, etc…not enough) |
2-3 gallons/person/day is recommended to thrive |
|
|
Water filter(s) (Sawyer Mini, Berkey, or Lifestraw) |
Bulk filter and individual filter |
|
|
Water purification tablets (Aqua Tabs or iodine-based) |
||
|
Collapsible water containers or storage barrels |
To collect rain/snow water |
|
|
Manual pump for water barrels |
||
|
Unscented bleach (for sanitizing water and surfaces) |
||
|
Bulk water storage |
Store enough water so that you know you’ll be able to collect it. Example: It might not rain for 3 months so have 3 months of water storage. |
|
|
Container to carry water |
If you need to collect water from bodies of water or distribution points. |
|
|
Ready-to-eat canned goods (meats, beans, veggies, fruit) Short term pantry staples |
Ideally 3 month supply but start with 2 weeks |
|
|
Freeze-dried meals or MREs for emergency kits |
minimum 3 days per person |
|
|
Long-term staples: rice, oats, beans, wheat, pasta, powdered milk, sugar, salt |
Ideally 9 month supply, but start with 2 weeks |
|
|
Nut butters and trail mix |
||
|
Shelf-stable milk or milk powder |
||
|
Fruit drink powder/hot chocolate/Instant coffee/tea |
||
|
Multivitamins |
||
|
Seeds to grow indoor greens or a garden outside |
Optional if you’re only prepping for 2 weeks, recommended for longer term |
Cooking & Food Prep
|
✔️ |
Item |
Notes |
|
Manual can opener |
||
|
Portable stove (butane or propane) |
||
|
Rocket stove or alcohol stove (backup) |
||
|
Fuel (butane, propane, alcohol—stored safely) |
||
|
Cast iron or stainless steel pot/pan |
||
|
Eating utensils, bowls, mugs |
||
|
Aluminum foil, zip bags |
||
|
Dish soap & sponge (if washing dishes you’ll want to store more water) |
||
|
Disposable plates/bowls/utensils/cups (optional) Paper is best so you can burn it safely |
So you don’t have to waste water washing dishes |
Shelter & Warmth
|
✔️ |
Item |
Notes |
|
Tent or emergency bivvy |
||
|
Tarp and paracord (for emergency shelter or repairs) |
||
|
Wool blankets or sleeping bags (rated for cold) |
||
|
Hand/foot warmers |
||
|
Mylar emergency blankets |
||
|
Cold-weather clothing (layers, hats, gloves, socks) |
||
|
Propane or wood heater (indoor-safe) |
||
|
Extra fuel (stored properly) |
||
|
Firewood |
||
|
Matches, lighters, fire starters, flint & steel |
Have multiple ways to start fires |
|
|
Extra blankets |
Sanitation & Hygiene
|
✔️ |
Item |
Notes |
|
Toilet paper |
||
|
Baby wipes or no-rinse body wipes |
Even if you don’t have a baby wipes work to clean yourself and other surfaces |
|
|
Feminine hygiene products |
These also work great as bandages if needed |
|
|
Toothbrush, toothpaste |
||
|
Soap, shampoo |
||
|
Hand sanitizer |
||
|
5-gallon bucket + toilet seat lid (emergency toilet) |
||
|
Trash bags (heavy-duty) |
||
|
Gloves (nitrile or rubber) |
||
|
Disinfectants (bleach, alcohol, Lysol wipes) |
||
|
Kitty litter, sawdust, peat moss |
For bucket toilet to eliminate odor and to compost |
|
|
Laundry soap |
||
|
DIY 5 gallon bucket + plunger manual laundry washing machine (If washing clothes you’ll want to store more water) Line and clothes pins to dry |
Washing clothes by hand will make your hands raw |
First Aid & Medical
|
✔️ |
Item |
Notes |
|
Comprehensive first aid kit (with extra bandaids, gauze, tape, scissors) |
||
|
Over-the-counter meds (ibuprofen, acetaminophen, antihistamines, antacids, anti-diarrheal) |
||
|
Prescription meds (minimum 2-week supply) |
||
|
Emergency dental kit |
||
|
Thermometer |
||
|
Tweezers, safety pins |
||
|
Burn cream, antibiotic ointment |
||
|
Blood pressure monitor (if needed) |
||
|
Splints and ace bandages |
|
|
|
Antibiotics |
||
|
Self-adhesive wrap |
Cheapest if you buy vet wrap |
|
|
Medical book for when professional medical attention is not available (Our recommendation is found on Amazon) |
|
|
|
Plastic gloves, and masks |
||
|
Personal medical info and doctor contacts |
|
Power & Light
|
✔️ |
Item |
Notes |
|
Flashlights (LED preferred) |
Do not store with batteries in them |
|
|
Headlamps (one per person) |
Do not store with batteries in them |
|
|
Battery-operated lanterns |
Do not store with batteries in them |
|
|
Extra batteries (stored correctly) |
||
|
Solar-powered charger (for phone, radio, lights) |
Don’t forget the cords |
|
|
Power bank or portable generator (optional) |
Don’t forget the cords |
|
|
Crank/solar emergency radio (with NOAA weather alerts) |
Tools & Repairs
|
✔️ |
Item |
Notes |
|
Multi-tool (Leatherman or Swiss Army knife) |
||
|
Basic tool kit (screwdriver, hammer, pliers, duct tape) |
||
|
Paracord or rope |
||
|
Work gloves |
||
|
Shovel, crowbar, ax, hatchet, saw |
||
|
Duct tape & super glue |
||
|
Zip ties |
||
|
Plastic sheeting (for sealing windows/roof leaks) |
Reusable tablecloths, shower curtain liners, etc |
|
|
Extra 5 gallon buckets (gardening, carrying water, etc) |
||
|
Gas meter wrench |
Tie it to the meter so it’s immediately accessible |
Documents & Cash
Store in a waterproof/fireproof safe. Put a copy of all documentation on an encrypted flash drive and keep it in your emergency kit.
|
✔️ |
Item |
Notes |
|
IDs, insurance, birth certificates |
||
|
Property deeds, emergency contacts |
||
|
Medical info, prescriptions |
||
|
Emergency cash (small bills) |
At least enough to get you 100 miles away and a hotel stay for 3 days minimum. |
|
|
Inventory of everything you own. Video a walk through of your house and record opening all cupboards, and drawers. The goal is to be able to use the video for insurance purposes after a fire. |
Keep it on a flash drive in a waterproof/fireproof safe, and a copy on your encrypted flash drive in your emergency kit. |
Communication & Navigation
|
✔️ |
Item |
Notes |
|
Emergency radio (solar, crank or battery-powered-don’t store with the batteries in it) |
NOAA weather radio recommended |
|
|
Paper Maps (local area, state, evacuation routes) |
Know how to read them |
|
|
Whistle or signal mirror |
||
|
Paper and pens |
||
|
Walkie Talkies or HAM radio (if licenced) |
Security & Self-Defense
|
✔️ |
Item |
Notes |
|
Pepper spray or bear spray |
Buy at least 2 and practice with an entire can on a tree. |
|
|
Basic self-defense knowledge |
Practice regularly |
|
|
Firearms & ammo (if trained and legal in your area) |
Practice regularly |
|
|
Locks and reinforcements for doors/windows |
Miscellaneous
|
✔️ |
Item |
Notes |
|
Books, playing cards, entertainment |
||
|
Extra clothing & shoes |
||
|
Sewing kit |
||
|
Backpack or go-bag (ready to evacuate) |
||
|
Local preparedness plan printed out |
||
|
Pet supplies (food, water, meds, leash) |
||
|
Extra garbage bags and ziplock bags |
Skills
|
✔️ |
Skill |
Notes |
|
HAM radio license |
||
|
Basic self-defense |
||
|
Basic First aid and CPR |
||
|
How to build a fire (with and without matches) |
||
|
How to build a shelter |
||
|
How to turn off your gas, water and power |
Every adult in the house should know this |
|
|
How to cook over a fire |
||
|
How to bake bread |
||
|
How to grow your own food |
||
|
How to fish, hunt, trap food |
||
|
How to collect/filter/clean water |
||
|
How to preserve food |
||
|
Knowledge of herbal medicines |
Want a customized list for your family? Ask chatGPT to customize an ultimate emergency supplies list for your family and tell it the number of people in your family and their ages and any special needs they might have.
Other articles you might be interested in: