Below find our recommendations for a complete, long-term home emergency kit. After the list you'll find a link for printing out a more compact, checklist version.
A note about FEMA
Why didn't we just use the Federal Emergency Management Agency's list? You can read more about that here.
Water
- Bottled water — one gallon per person per day
- Backpacker's water filter
- Chlorine dioxide water treatment tablets
- Aluminum foil
- Plastic storage containers
- Five gallon bucket with strong handle and tight-fitting lid for drinking water storage
Food
- Canned or other non-perishable food — meals ready to eat or easily heated
- Manual can opener
- Disposable eating utensils
- Camper's mess kits
Personal Care
- First-aid kit — including prescription medicines, antibiotic ointments and bandages
- Insect repellent
- Sunscreen
- Dust mask — several for every family member
- Handwipes, toilet paper, and other hygienic supplies
- Chamberpot
- Infant formula and diapers for small children
- Glasses or contact lenses with cleaning solution
- Medicine dropper
Transportation
- Bicycles
- Bike tire repair kit
- Hard hats
Clothing
- Extra clothing — one set per person
- Outerwear appropriate for the season
- Walking shoes
Bedding
- Pillows and blankets or sleeping bags
- Tent — with enough floor space for the entire family. Seams should be sealed ahead of time.
Tools
- Pocket knife — One for every family member old enough to handle one
- Flashlights — one per person. Look for waterproof, LED, hand-rechargeable lights
- Crescent wrench and pipe wrench — for shutting off utility valves
- Fire extinguisher
- Tarps or heavy plastic sheeting
- A roll of heavy-duty trash bags
- Backpacking stove with fuel
- Duct tape
- Electrician's tape and stretch-activated plumber's epoxy tape (optional)
- Compass
- Longnosed electrician's pliers
- Waterproof matches
- Lighter
- Candles
- Lightsticks
- Spark-generating permanent match (optional)
- Signal flare
- Emergency flashers or metal signal mirrors
- Whistles
- Carpenter's hammer
- Full-sized demolition crowbar
- Japanese-style pruning saw
- Fireman's axe
- Urban survival knife
Electronics
- Battery- or crank-powered radio, TV or NOAA weather radio
- Cell phone or CB radio with crank generator for charging. An old cell phone without a current service contract will still have the ability to make emergency 9-1-1 calls.
- Extra batteries for all items
Other Items
- Cash — enough for gas, food and hotels for several days
- Games, books and/or toys for everyone
- A leash or carrying container for the family pet
- Local map
- Needles and thread
- Lots of paper and pens/pencils
- Unscented chlorine bleach
- Documents — insurance policies, important phone numbers, banking information, and proof of occupancy including a utility bill, lease or mortgage. Store in waterproof container.
Printable Checklist
Getting Started
Any emergency kit list is going to be long and a bit overwhelming. But assembling any kind of kit, even a minimal one, can be essential for your family's survival in case of a disaster. Start small, gathering a short list of critical supplies in an easy-to-access area of the house. Then add to your kit over time. Once you've gotten started, you'll find that a putting together a complete kit is within reach and will help you sleep better at night.
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