What Should Be in a Home Emergency Kit?

Start with your household

A useful emergency kit fits the people who will use it. Think about drinking water, shelf-stable food, prescription needs, first aid, light, communication and important documents. Include the needs of children, older adults, pets and anyone who uses assistive equipment.

Choose a practical place

Keep supplies together somewhere accessible. A kit that is difficult to find during an outage is less useful. Tell everyone in the household where it is and how to use the equipment safely.

Check it regularly

Set a reminder to inspect batteries, expiry dates and damaged packaging. Follow manufacturer instructions for charging, storage and maintenance. Your needs may change over time.

Use trusted guidance

For quantities and a more complete planning checklist, consult Ready.gov/kit and your local emergency-management agency. A product kit complements a household plan; it is not a guarantee of safety.

Explore our Emergency Kits collection as verified launch products become available.