Emergency kit

The complete emergency supplies list: everything you need, by category (checklist)

The master list of supplies for a crisis of two weeks or more: water, food, cooking, heat, light, power, communication, first aid, hygiene, tools, clothing, documents and money. With priorities and tips so you do not waste money.

Updated , 3 min read

Part of:What Is a PrepperBug InKits

In short

  • Do not buy everything at once: start with water, food, light and medicine, then add a little each month.
  • Think first about the risks where you live, who depends on you and how long you might be on your own.
  • You already own much of this: gather it in one place and check it.
  • The list is deliberately complete. Tick what fits your situation and skip the rest.

A complete list can be intimidating: hundreds of items, a big bill. You do not need all of it. The list below is a menu to choose from, not an obligation. Before buying anything, answer four questions:

  1. What could happen where you live? Earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, winter storms, power cuts, an industrial accident?
  2. Who depends on you? Small children, older relatives, someone with a chronic illness, pets?
  3. Where do you live? A flat has different needs from a house or a farm.
  4. How long might you be on your own? The minimum advice is 72 hours; two weeks is better.

Priority 1: life

Water

  • 1 gallon (4 litres) per person per day, for at least 3 days, ideally 14
  • Food-grade containers, see storing water in jerrycans
  • A water filter and purification tablets
  • A metal pot for boiling water

Food

  • Shelf-stable food for 2 weeks, see the non-perishable food list
  • Food that needs no cooking for the first 3 days
  • Special food: for babies, diets, allergies
  • Pet food
  • A manual can opener

Medicine and first aid

  • A supply of prescription medicines, see stockpiling medicines
  • A complete first aid kit, see the first aid kit
  • Thermometer, pulse oximeter, blood pressure monitor
  • N95/FFP2 masks, disposable gloves

Priority 2: protection and comfort

Heat and clothing

  • Warm clothes, hat, gloves and wool socks for everyone
  • Sleeping bags or heavy blankets, emergency blankets
  • Sturdy, waterproof footwear
  • Rain ponchos

Light

  • One headlamp per person
  • LED room lamps
  • Spare batteries or rechargeables, see flashlights and lamps
  • Candles and matches, used carefully

Cooking without power

  • A camping stove with gas canisters, used only with ventilation
  • Lighters, waterproof matches
  • A pot, a pan, cutlery and reusable plates

Details: cooking without power.

Priority 3: power and communication

Power

  • Charged power banks
  • A portable power station and solar panel (optional)
  • A generator, for outdoor use only (optional)
  • Cables and car chargers

Communication and information

  • A battery or hand-crank radio, see emergency radios
  • Important numbers written on paper
  • A whistle for signalling
  • A printed map of your area

Priority 4: hygiene and cleaning

  • Soap, hand sanitiser, wet wipes
  • Toilet paper, sanitary products, nappies
  • Heavy-duty bin bags
  • Unscented bleach for disinfection
  • A bucket with a lid for an emergency toilet

How to manage without tap water: hygiene without running water.

Priority 5: tools and the home

  • A basic toolkit, see essential tools
  • Duct tape, plastic sheeting, rope, cable ties
  • A fire extinguisher and fire blanket
  • Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
  • A wrench for the gas and water shut-off valves

Priority 6: documents and money

For the road

So you do not waste money

  • Buy gradually: add something to the basket on every shopping trip.
  • What you own counts: look around the house before buying.
  • Rotate: use up older food and batteries and replace them.
  • Check twice a year, for example when the clocks change.

Want a personal list for your family? Use the supply calculator.

Frequently asked questions

How much does the whole list cost?

It depends on what you already have. The essentials (water, two weeks of food, flashlights, a first aid kit) can be built for a modest sum by adding something to each shopping trip. A generator, power station or solar panels are separate, optional investments.

New or second-hand?

Many things (tools, blankets, containers, lamps, books) are cheap second-hand. Buy new what has to be reliable: medicines, masks, alarms, food-grade water containers.

Sources and further reading

Preper is for general education and does not replace instructions from your local authorities or advice from a doctor. In an emergency, call your local emergency number.

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