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Emergency Survival Kit Essentials: What to Pack to Stay Prepared

Emergency backpack equipment organized on the table. Documents, water,food, first aid kit and another items needed to survive.
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Skylines/Shutterstock

What Supplies Do You Need for an Emergency?

Written By: Catherine Boeckmann Executive Digital Editor and Master Gardener

When disaster strikes, the last thing you want to be doing is scrambling to find batteries or digging for a flashlight. Whether it’s a power outage, storm, or unexpected evacuation, a well-stocked emergency survival kit can mean the difference between chaos and calm. Keep the following supplies in your emergency survival kit, and you will be prepared for any adverse situation! 

Why You Need an Emergency Survival Kit

An emergency survival kit is essential for unforeseen crises. From natural disasters to unforeseen accidents, having a well-equipped kit ensures you’re prepared for any situation. It provides critical supplies, like food, water, first aid items, and tools, offering a lifeline when traditional resources may be unavailable. Preparedness is key to survival.

Have these items prepared in survival bags—portable bags, such as duffels or backpacks, that are used solely for holding emergency supplies. Store survival bags in an easily accessible place. If evacuation is necessary, be sure to follow the directions of local authorities.

Read Next

Food and Water for Emergencies

Food

  • You should have a 3-day supply of non-perishable food, including ready-to-eat canned goods. Try to choose high-energy foods, such as granola, dried fruit, nuts, protein bars, and jerky. Avoid overly salty foods, like chips and pretzels, as they will make you thirsty.
  • Be sure to have a manual can opener on hand, as well as eating utensils.
  • Prepare for any special dietary needs of your family.
  • It’s also possible to buy freeze-dried foods or meal kits in bulk, which are specially made and packaged for use in emergency situations.
  • Review your food supplies occasionally and eliminate anything that has exceeded its “use by” date.

Water

  • Keep on hand a 3-day supply of water. You should have at least one gallon of water for each person per day (more is preferable). To ensure safe drinking water, it is recommended to buy commercially bottled water.

Health and Safety Supplies

  • First Aid Kit, including nonprescription medication and antibacterial gel.
  • Be sure to stock extra prescription medication and any other special medical or sanitary needs, such as extra diapers and formula for babies.
  • Tissues, paper towels, and toilet paper can also come in handy.
  • Be sure to check out our tips for health emergencies as well.

Clothing for Survival Preparedness

  • Plan accordingly for the climate you live in. Layered clothing can help you stay warm and dry.
  • Include at least one complete change of clothes for each person.
  • Be sure to think about socks and appropriate (waterproof) footwear as well.

Survival Tools and Gear to Include

  • Flashlights, with extra batteries (or mechanical, squeeze-type flashlights)
  • Matches in a waterproof container
  • Paper and pencil
  • Signal flares
  • Extra cell phone battery or battery packs
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Pocket knife
  • Nylon rope
  • Duct tape
  • Cash

Important Family Documents to Protect

Keep these records in a waterproof, portable container.

  • Will, insurance policies, contracts, deeds, stocks and bonds
  • Photo IDs, passports, social security cards, and immunization records
  • Bank account numbers
  • Credit card account numbers and companies
  • Inventory of valuable household goods, important telephone numbers
  • Family records (birth, marriage, death certificates)
  • Photocopies of credit and identification cards

Check out what you should have in your car safety kit as well. Plus, find out what to do when the power goes out.

Do you have any other suggestions for emergency survival kits? Let us know below!

Weather Survival
About The Author
Catherine Boeckmann

Catherine Boeckmann

Executive Digital Editor and Master Gardener

Catherine Boeckmann is the Executive Digital Editor of Almanac.com, the website companion of The Old Farmer's Almanac. She covers gardening, plants, pest control, soil composition, seasonal and moon c...
Read More from Catherine Boeckmann

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Comments

<span>Jmarie</span> Sat, 07/20/2024 - 05:38
Just letting you know that Pet Supplies were not mentioned in your Emergency Survival Lists…
<span>Jeanne</span> Mon, 11/13/2023 - 03:44
Pets: Have a dog bed/blankets for each dog. or cat. 3 days of food in sealed bags. (I put my dogs food in ziploc freezer bags, it keeps bugs and any water out). My smaller dog uses a half gal water a day, lab uses a gal. I keep sweaters in waterproof bags too. Along with people medicine have pet medicine too.
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/jennifer-keating">Jennifer Keating</a> Mon, 11/13/2023 - 07:37

Great tip, thank you, Jeanne!

 <span>Pam</span> Mon, 03/30/2020 - 12:47
I'm a prepper. You actually need 4 gallons of water, per person, per day. If you have animals, 1 gallon per animal per day is more than sufficient along with their food.
<span>Nancy Arnold</span> Fri, 12/30/2016 - 16:54
I got a crank radio/flashlight from Walmart that needs no batteries. Will run about an hour on a full crank. Nice to stay informed during an emergency. They have several more expensive ones that also has a place to charge your devices.
<span>Lea Nelson</span> Fri, 12/30/2016 - 16:30
You should also carry a pocket knife and some rope. You can purchase small nylon rope anywhere. Also always remember good footwear with a spare pair of socks. It doesn't matter what kind of climate you live in but good comfortable boots will be good in case of any terrain you may need to walk.
<span>Marylou5Loves</span> Wed, 10/27/2010 - 15:06
also with the emergency kits don't forget your animals...extra food, water and litter are needed and if you have to leave your home make sure the animal holder is available..i have 2 cats and i keep everything together in the holder..
<span>Unclefungus13</span> Tue, 06/01/2010 - 18:09
Don't forget the toilet paper. Also have a 5 gallon bucket and plastic bags to line it with to use as a toilet, just in case the water is cut off like it was here when IKE hit.
<span>Cheryl In Oklahoma</span> Sun, 08/13/2017 - 17:30
Do not line the bucket with plastic bags or anything! The bag will leak and be very difficult to handle when "loaded". Much easier to dump the bucket: open the outside clean-out for your house drain system and pour the bucket contents in; or dump it on a compost pile just for human waste and cover with leaves, straw, hay, woodchips or sawdust. Can be used after one year. For composting only: use sawdust or woodchips in the bucket to cover solid waste and use a second container for urine only. Urine can be used for nitrogen in the garden, diluted up to 10 water with 1 urine.